Sister Maureen Joseph Rainone, CSJ, 90

Sister Maureen Joseph Rainone, CSJ, 90, died Feb. 25 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 66 years.

Sister Maureen (Arlene Rainone) was born on Feb. 15, 1932, in Syracuse, the daughter of Joseph Rainone and Mary Biondi Rainone. Sister Maureen had two brothers and two sisters: Constance Waldon, Joseph Rainone Jr., Teresa Crisalli and Robert Rainone.

After graduating from Onondaga Valley High School, Sister Maureen worked for five years at the New York Telephone Company. A parish priest and family friend, Father (later Bishop) Thomas Costello, encouraged her to consider entering the Sisters of St. Joseph. She entered the community on Sept. 15, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Troy. Sister Maureen pronounced first vows on March 19, 1958 and final vows on Aug. 6, 1963.

Sister Maureen earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Education from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, as well as a master’s in Spirituality Certificate from Loyola University in New Orleans.

Sister Maureen spent many years ministering in the primary and middle schools of the Albany and Syracuse dioceses where she was a teacher, administrator and principal. She brought this rich educational experience as she served as assistant field supervisor for the Broome County Foster Grandparent Program and education coordinator for the Broome County Head Start Program. She also directed religious education programs in several Southern Tier parishes. In 1993, Sister Maureen began a “retail ministry” as manager of the Binghamton Catholic Shop.

Sister Maureen cared as a chaplain in St. Louise Manor and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, both in Binghamton. In 2008, Sister Maureen began a 12-year ministry in the Good Shepherd–Fairview Home in Binghamton, coordinating services for both residents and staff.

Sister Maureen is predeceased by her parents, brothers and sisters. The support and blessings of Sister Maureen’s close-knit family life included the spouses of her brothers and sisters, Harold Waldon, Alda Rainone and Anthony Crisalli. Her memory is cherished by her sister-in-law, Lucy Rainone, beloved nieces and nephews, devoted extended family, many friends and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Contributions in Sister Maureen’s memory may be made to: The Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110