Sister Maria Charles Norton, CSJ

Sister Maria Charles Norton, CSJ

Sister Maria Charles Norton, CSJ, died on June 1 at the Teresian House in Albany, having been a Sister of St. Joseph for 75 years.

Sister Maria was born in Burlington, Vt., to Charles and Luella Evans Norton. After graduation from Vergennes High School, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, making her religious vows in 1952.

Sister Maria, after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education at the College of St. Rose, began her ministry teaching elementary classes in Albany and Syracuse diocesan schools. She served for several years on the staff of the Center for the Disabled in Albany.

Music especially enhanced all of Sister Maria’s ministries, for as she said, music was part of her. So were her many relationships with students, parishioners and her CSJ community with whom she enjoyed frequent festive reunions of singing and dancing.

In 1988, Sister Maria became pastoral associate at St. Angela’s in Mattapan, Mass., where she lived with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. Most of the parishioners with whom she ministered were from Haiti and Sister Maria delighted in this culture, especially the music her new community provided for her 50th Jubilee Liturgy.

In her frequent travels, Sister Maria enjoyed the enrichment of her life with the experience of many varied cultures. These included her pilgrimages to Lourdes, Rome and the Holy Land, the Passion Play in Oberammergau, the Concentration Camp at Dachau, and the peoples of Honolulu and Haiti.

All who knew Sister Maria marveled at the strength and energy with which she served others. Sister Maria had a deep devotion to the Rosary, which she strengthened and spread through her connection to Father Patrick Peyton’s mission of bringing that prayer to others.

Sister Maria was predeceased by her parents and sister, Elizabeth Eagan. She is survived by her nephews, Mark, Michael, Brian and Gary Eagan and their families, her cousins, many friends, and by her loving CSJ community.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on June 5 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House. Contributions in Sister Maria’s memory may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110.