Our initial research showed us that in the 1800’s some Sisters who had entered in Waltham, Massachusetts were later missioned to Maryland, Connecticut, various parts of Massachusetts and elsewhere. Records, including those for cemeteries, were kept in various province offices and archives. Sisters buried in parish cemeteries, as well, became a concern. The condition of these cemeteries and stones also became a focus of our voluntary research.
Our next step was to coordinate various cemetery lists. Each of us chose one or more of these locations to visit and confirm the correct listing as well as the condition of each burial place. As we continued our task, we found that because of changes in the various province configurations over the years, there were some errors in records and we made corrections on our lists. Where gaps existed, we were in contact with some of our Archivists. At this point we kept the East-West Leadership Team informed about our process and progress.
Over the two years of research, the lists for every cemetery were compiled, checked and confirmed many times over. The information included the names of the Sisters and dates of birth and death.
What is the result of this research?
There is now a listing for all eighteen of the cemeteries in the former Boston and Ipswich Provinces where Sisters are buried plus directions or maps for finding every grave in each of these. There is now at least one Sister who has committed to paying an occasional visit to one of these sacred spaces to assure its proper condition.
Our intention is to post all these lists in a special location on First Class so that all this information will be available to anyone wishing to access it. It seems appropriate that these lists will be posted online very soon.
This Cemetery Project drew us even closer to our wonderful sisters. We honor them and thank them for their lives and service over so many years. As Sister Anne Cyril frequently reminded us, “We are standing on the shoulders of giants…”
Cemetery Care Group: Sister Barbara Beauchamp, Diane Rennicks, Sister Ellen Foley, Jim McNeilly, Sister Evelyn McKenna, Sister Jon Julie Sullivan, Sisters Karen Hokanson, Kristin Hokanson, Mary T. Kelleher, Nancy Simonds, Pat O’Brien, Paula Tinlin, Susan Raymo