Sister Joan Marie Curley, CSJ, 84

Sister Joan Marie Curley, CSJ (Sister Richarda William), 84, died Dec. 22 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 65 years.

Sister Joan was born in Troy on June 17, 1936, daughter of the late Henry and Irene Kitson Curley. After graduating from Catholic Central High School, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1955 and professed final vows on Aug. 6, 1962.

Sister Joan received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in special education and an educational leadership and administration certification, all from The College of Saint Rose. In addition, she received a master’s degree in pastoral leadership from St. Louis University.

For 25 years, Sister Joan served in the ministry of education in schools of the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses. She also was a teacher in the Readiness Program at the Cerebral Palsy Center in Albany (now the Center for Disability Services). In 1983, after completing her studies at St. Louis University, Sister Joan began her ministry in pastoral leadership roles in Cartersville, Ga, and Schoharie. In Schoharie, she was the first woman religious in the Albany Diocese to serve as a parish life director, a position she held at St. Joseph’s Parish for 25 years.

 Sister Joan is survived by her brother, Richard O. Curley and his family, of South Padre Island, Texas and Huletts Landing; many friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her dear friend, Sister Rose Marie Cardillo, CSJ, who died in 2004.
Due to the continued health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public funeral services for Sister Joan at this time. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date.