Sister Miriam Dorothy Ukeritis, CSJ, 77

Sister Miriam Dorothy Ukeritis, CSJ, 77.

Sister Miriam Dorothy Ukeritis, CSJ, 77 died at Albany Medical Center on Dec. 2. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph for 58 years. 

Born in Amsterdam, Sister Miriam graduated from St. Mary’s Institute before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, where she made final profession in 1970. She completed degrees at The College of Saint Rose and the University of Pittsburgh and embraced a life of ministry. 

Sister Miriam ministered in Albany until she was named director of the House of Affirmation in Hopedale, Mass. There she was invited to conduct, with David Nygren, CM, a critical study of changes in religious life. The Nygren-Ukeritis study had a major impact on religious communities and the wider Church, and Sister Miriam received awards and numerous speaking invitations.

In 2000, Sister Miriam’s Albany Province called her to leadership, an appropriate venue for her gifts. Deeply committed to community living, Sister Miriam enjoyed province gatherings as well as time spent with her cherished family. She also chaired a major province planning effort, happy to use her research background.

In 2008, she was named chief executive officer of Southdown Institute in Aurora, Ontario. This institution, renowned for the healing offered to priests, allowed Sister Miriam to combine her creative skills with her pastoral compassion. In 2014, the Carondelet congregation elected her to leadership, where her experiences were particularly valuable. Sister Miriam’s final ministry was companioning new members in the community, a role she embraced creatively.

Sister Miriam was predeceased by her parents and by her brother, Joseph Ukeritis. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Anne Marie Ukeritis; three nieces, Betsy and Jennifer Ukeritis and Colleen Torres; loving grandnephew and nieces, treasured friends, and community members. Her funeral Mass was celebrated on Dec. 13 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House.

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