Sister Joyce M. Houle, SNJM, 91

Sister Joyce M. Houle, SNJM, 91

Sister Joyce M. Houle, SNJM, for 71 years a dedicated member of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, died on Sept. 29 at Teresian House in Albany.

She was born on June 18, 1935, in Troy, the eldest of eight children born to Clarence and Isabella (Hatton) Houle. Her parents and two brothers, Kenneth and Timothy, predeceased her. She is survived by a loving family including siblings, Claire Burdick, Patricia Darmetko (Dave LaFleche), Terence Houle, Kim (Vicki) Houle, Robert (Sandy) Houle and a large close clan of nieces, nephews and cousins. The years of rich family experiences and living in the stable Sacred Heart Parish neighborhood, just across the street from the elementary school staffed by Holy Names sisters, were formative influences on Sister Joyce’s identity and ministry.

Right out of high school in 1953, Sister Joyce set off to shape her sense of call to service and life-long devotion to Mother Marie Rose, Holy Names’ foundress, by entering the novitiate in Rome, N.Y. For the next seven decades, she committed herself to the mission of empowering individuals through formal education and spiritual and pastoral accompaniment. Using her personality, compassionate spirit, a masters’ degree from Fordham, and other continuing studies, Sister Joyce ministered generously in diverse school, hospital and church settings from New York to Florida to California. 

The style of her personal prayer and spirituality, with strong emphasis on social justice and love of nature, added to the distinctiveness and impact of Sister Joyce’s ministry. Her spirit will be long remembered by her family, priests and church colleagues, friends and members of the Upper Room, the religious with whom she shared so much of life and work, especially the Sisters of Mercy and Mother Marie Rose’s other SNJM daughters, and countless other groups and individuals blessed by Sister Joyce’s goodness. 

The Sisters of the Holy Names community wishes to acknowledge, too, how Sister Joyce was greatly blessed by the generosity and compassion of so many from the Sisters of Mercy, the Upper Room community, the staff of Teresian House, dear associates, Father Patrick Butler and many others who lavished their hospitality and care on Sister Joyce throughout her life and end of life. Our endless gratitude for you.

Sister Joyce’s funeral liturgy was held Oct. 8 at the Convent of Mercy Chapel in Albany.