Mary Constance MIELE

List of Deceased Sisters

Date of Death 11/02/2008

Born: January 16. 1912

Professed: February 2, 1943

 Died: February 11, 2008

Sr. M. Constance was missioned to Fiji on January 25, 1948 where she served on many mission stations  during her 25 years there, before returning to U.S. in 1973. She gave service in her community and at Maristhill until she retired.

I include here remembrances received about Sister's life:

"Isa! Connie was a great friend and almost like a mother to me. When my mother died rather young, leaving my father, Ratu, and six little ones to care for, Sr. Constance was often at home to bring something for us and to prepare nice dresses for me and my siblings. We are having a Mass offered for her tomorrow. We are grateful for her years in Makogai, St. Mary's and throughout Fiji."

Sr. Teresia Tinanisolo

"Here at "62", I still find it strange to go into chapel and not see our Sr. Connie sitting in her favorite spot, or to walk the corridors and not see her moving along at a good pace, sometimes with the aid of her walker, and sometimes without ...or to go into the reading room in the early afternoon and not find her absorbed in reading the daily paper, or just as often, seated in the comfortable chair. head back, eyes closed in sleep, but still clutching that newspaper! "I was just resting my eyes", she would always say later! She could often be found again at night watching TV before finally going to bed. Even during the final weeks of her life spent in the nursing home, Connie managed to maintain her general interest and in keeping up-to-date with the news through the daily newspaper.

Connie has been described as being "tough" and this likely helped her to live through her trials. However, I think that her even stronger Faith helped her more! Her faith was to be her strength during the last few months of her life as her sufferings increased. She suffered two heart attacks, including the one that finally brought her into the presence of her beloved Lord, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a devotion and a Feast day that was special to our sister Connie throughout her life."

Sr. Mary Philothea

"I must admit that I shed many tears when I heard of Connie's passing, she was a wonderful person. Hard to know and at times hard to get along with, but I will always remember and thank God for her example of humor. My last visit home allowed me to see the joyful. humorous side of Connie."

Sr. Michelle De Silva

"Sr. Constance took great pride in being the oldest Sister in the Province (96). She was always her own person so we were not surprised to see that for her funeral arrangements she wanted no wake. no eulogy and a closed casket. We let her have the last word. may she rest in peace and pray for us."

Sr. Judy Sheridan

               SISTER MARY CONSTANCE, SMSM

Here at '62', I still find it strange to go into chapel and not see our Sr. Connie sitting in her favorite spot, or to walk the corridors and not see her moving along at a good pace with the aid of her walker, and to go into the reading room in the early afternoon and not find her absorbed in reading the daily paper, or just as often, seated in the comfortable chair, head back, eyes closed in sleep, but still clutching that newspaper! "I was just resting my eyes", she would always say later! She could often be found again at night watching T.V. before finally going to bed.. Even during the final weeks of her life spent in the nursing home, Connie managed to maintain her general interest in reading, and in keeping up to date with the news through the daily newspaper.

On several occasions, Connie told me she never thought she would live for as long as she did. She sometimes had much to suffer throughout those years. Connie has been described as being tough, and this likely helped her to live through her trials. However, I think that her even stronger Faith helped her more !

This was to be her strength during the last few months of her life as her sufferings increased.. She had a couple of serious falls, including the one that caused a broken hip. She came through hip replacement surgery and rehab with flying colors, and could not wait to return home. She also suffered two heart attacks, including the one that finally brought her into the presence of her beloved Lord, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a feast day that was special to Sister Connie throughout her life

              Sr. Philothea