Sister Evelyn Joyce Smith, CSJ, had just celebrated 70 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Brentwood when God summoned her home on Oct. 5. 

Along with her sister Dotty and brother John, Evelyn grew up in a loving Ukrainian Catholic family.

She graduated from Resurrection Ascension Elementary School and The Mary Louis Academy, and in 1954 entered the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Known as Sister Mary Antolina, she began her educational ministry as a third-grade teacher at Our Lady of Victory in Floral Park.

She then taught at Sacred Heart in North Merrick, Most Holy Trinity in East Hampton, St. Joseph in Hewlett, and seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics at St. Frances de Chantal in Wantagh. 

Along the way, Sister Evelyn studied mathematics and computer science and earned a BS in Psychology from Brooklyn College. At this time, realizing she was summoned to exercise her deep love of God and her neighbor differently, Sister Evelyn enrolled in Fordham University, where she studied clinical social work, which led to an MSW and Doctorate. 

As a New York State licensed social worker and as a clinical therapist, she touched many lives with hope and healing as she brought her listening ear and compassionate heart to those who found their way to Catholic Family Services in Valley Stream, Family Life Center in Garden City, Abel Health Management Services in Great Neck, the Good Samaritan Hospice in West Islip, and her private practice. 

Ever the teacher, Sister Evelyn served as director of field instruction for Fordham students, as a counselor in the NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute, and as a volunteer in the NYC Medical Reserve Crisis Team. In 1999, Sister Evelyn was appointed Maria Regina Residence treasurer and later social services director. 

She also served as an administrator of Precious Blood Monastery in Brooklyn. 

Family, coworkers, friends, and Sisters of St. Joseph and the Congregation of the Infant Jesus joined in celebrating Sister Evelyn at Villa St. Joseph, where she was a part of that community for almost eight years, and Sacred Heart Chapel in Brentwood. Father Tom Poth celebrated the Mass of Christian burial, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery on the grounds of the motherhouse.