Sister Ellen Alicia Noonan, CSJ, 92

Sister Ellen Alicia Noonan, CSJ, 92, died April 21, at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 73 years.

Sister Ellen, the former Alice Ellen Noonan, was born on Sept. 29, 1927, in Little Falls, daughter of the late Eugene and Anna Vail Noonan. After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in Little Falls, Sister Ellen worked for Junket Food Brands in Fonda. On March 19, 1947, Sister Ellen entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy and professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1952.

Sister Ellen received a bachelor’s degree in music from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in general educational studies from the University at Albany. For 47 years, she served in the education field as classroom teacher, music teacher, catechetical instructor and librarian in the diocese of Albany, Syracuse, Honolulu and Brunswick, Ga. For the last 16 years of her active ministry, Sister Ellen served as pastoral associate at St. Patrick’s Parish, Binghamton. She retired to St. Joseph’s Provincial House in 2013.

Sister Ellen is survived by her beloved siblings: Eugene Noonan, Ann Unser, Mary Pierce and Rose Sexton; their families; many friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Due to the present health concerns and in keeping with the directives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health, as well as the Albany diocesan guidelines, there will be no public visitation or funeral services for Sister Ellen at this time. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date, and it will be a celebration of a life well lived.