October 30, 1932 - December 30, 2023

Sister Jeanne Marie of the Holy Spirit, OCD (Jeanne Marie Gonyon) of the Carmelite Monastery in Beacon, New York peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 30 at Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home in Bayside, NY where she had been a much-loved resident since September 2019.

Jeanne Marie was born on October 13, 1932 in Burlington, VT, the daughter of Edward and Dora (Kirby) Gonyon.

After graduation from Edmunds High School in 1950, Sister Jeanne Marie worked for several years.  She entered the Carmelite Monastery in Willison, VT, in January 1953, and on August 22, 1954 made her profession of vows.  In 1968 the community relocated to Barre, VT where Sister Jeanne continued to serve her community generously and lovingly in various capacities.  

Sister Jeanne was a gifted seamstress.  Her exquisitely designed vestments can be found in parishes throughout Vermont.  Sister’s love of Scripture allowed her the opportunity to attend the summer scripture program at the Trinity College Biblical Institute for several years.  In 1990 she received an award from the Biblical Institute in gratitude for her administrative service and support.  

Sister Jeanne and the Nuns of Barre Carmel collaborated with the Monks of Weston Priory for many years by assisting with their sizeable mailings.  Sister had a deep appreciation of the liturgical life of the Church and contributed in the planning of the sisters’ daily prayer and Liturgies.  

As prioress, Sister Jeanne represented her community on the Vermont Sisters Senate.  She was prioress of the Barre Carmelites in 2000 when they united with the sisters of Beacon and Saranac Lake, NY to form the Carmel of the Incarnation in Beacon.  

In 2012 following an accident in which she broke her neck, Sister Jeanne was lovingly welcomed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame into their infirmary, Lourdes Health Care Center in Wilton, CT where she received excellent care.  When the infirmary closed in 2019, Sister Jeanne, along with all the Sisters at Lourdes, transferred to Ozanam Hall.

Sister Jeanne Marie is survived by her sister Mona Vincent and by many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews whom she loved dearly and who have been deeply devoted to her. She continued to be a beloved presence in their lives until her death.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Monastery Chapel by Fr. David Nolan, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Manhattan, on January 12, 2024. Burial followed at St. Joachim’s Cemetery, Beacon, NY.