Obituaries

Sister Clare Louise Melzer, O.P.

March 18, 2015
Sister Clare
Sister Clare

Sister Clare Louise Melzer, O.P., a Sister of St. Dominic, Amityville, for 81 years, died Feb. 27. She would have turned 98 on March 26.

Born in Brooklyn as Marie Louise Melzer, she was raised in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Ridgewood. She went on to graduate from the Dominican Sisters’ H.S. Juniorate, Villa Maria, Watermill, and entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1935. She pronounced her vows on Aug. 18, 1936.

She taught at the parish schools of St. Mary’s, Woodside; Holy Family, Park Slope; St. Clement Pope, South Ozone Park; Our Lady of Solace, Coney Island and St. Pancras, Glendale.

After earning her master’s degree from Providence College, R.I., she taught religion at St. Agnes Academic H.S., College Point, and then St. Nicholas H.S., Williamsburg. She also offered a course for educators on teaching methods at Bishop McDonnell M.H.S., Crown Heights.

She served her congregation for 11 years as assistant novice director and director of junior professed Sisters at Amityville. She then returned to teaching religion for three years at St. Nicholas H.S.

She participated in a religious Renewal Program at Emmaus House of Prayer, then-located at St. Joseph’s Cardinal’s House, Monticello, N.Y., 1972-74; served as coordinator of the Sisters’ Infirmary at the Motherhouse, Amityville, 1974-77, and coordinator of the Sisters living in Rosary Hall, 1977-83.

An excellent cook, she then used her culinary skills for the Sisters at Good Shepherd Convent, Marine Park, 1983-88, and later moved to Villa Maria Convent, Watermill, where she cooked for the Sisters and participants in Siena Spirituality Center.

In 1997, she moved to St. Gregory’s the Great, Bellerose, where she assisted with the parish’s Helping Hands Program and served as a minister of hospitality. She also volunteered at Harvest Park, a residence for elderly people sponsored by the Dominican Sisters.

Failing health necessitated a move to Carlin Hall, Amityville, in 2009.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Albert’s Chapel, Amityville, March 15. Interment in the Sisters’ cemetery followed.

One thought on “Sister Clare Louise Melzer, O.P.”

  1. Even though my time in Amityville as a Postulant was only 8 months long (or short, depending how you look at it!) from September 10,1961, until I left on May 22, 1962, my memories of S. Claire Louise remain vivid.

    Her heart, so big and generous, was evident in her big smile and sparkling eyes. She was always a willing listener to those of us questioning why we were there or anything else we needed to talk about. In some ways, she was like the Pied Piper.

    She was a multi-faceted role model from that crinkly smile to her obvious joy and serenity in loving and serving God.

    She took good care all of us even though she was officially assigned to the nlNovices.

    And I loved that she was fun & funny…poof that nuns do laugh out loud. This happy discovery canceled out the many warnings I got before I entered to make sure
    I kept my big mouth shut because nuns were quiet. NOT!

    So, dear Sister Claire Louise, now you are laughing with the Angels!