Sister Joan Marie Fernandes, OSB, was born in Fall River, MA. on May 24, 1931. She was the fourth child and first girl of Joseph F. Fernandes and Margaret A. Moran. Altogether, there were four boys and two girls. She entered the Congregation of Jesus Crucified in Devon, PA on May 15, 1956. Her first Profession was in May 1959 and her Perpetual Profession in the Spring of 1962.She was a founding member of St. Paul’s Priory in Newport, R.I. In the community, Sister served as cook,librarian and gardener as well as portress. Her artistic gifts were manifested in her hand painted feast day cards and in the beautiful floral arrangements she created for Chapel. Sister had lived at Regina Mundi Priory, St. Paul’s Priory, and in 2001, she moved with the whole community to the Monastery of the Glorious Cross in Branford.  In Oct. 2018, she moved to St. Mary’s Home in West Hartford, where she was lovingly cared for until her death at age 87, on Nov. 19, 2018. The family and Sisters would like to express their gratitude to the staff on Baggott St. at St Mary’s Home especially Maggie, for the loving dedicated care given to our Sister.
Friends may call at  the Monastery of the Glorious Cross, 61 Burban Drive, Branford  Sunday from 4 to 8 pm are are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in the Monastery Chapel Monday morning at 11:00. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford.