Sister Marie Jogues Coffey, MM

Born: May 28, 1905
Entered: December 21, 1930
Died: December 6, 1996

“The Lord is coming from heaven in splendor to visit His people, and bring them peace and eternal life.”
– Entrance Antiphon of Mass of St. Nicholas

“If death seems imminent I do not wish to be admitted to the hospital, and if I am in the hospital I wish to be discharged to be at home with my Maryknoll Sisters.”

Well, dear “Sister Joguesie” you had it your way, but God had an even better scenario. He took you at your word, and let you slip away surreptitiously at 1:40 a.m. on December 6th, the feast of St. Nicholas, with members of your faithful nursing staff by your side.

Mae Agnes Coffey was a New Yorker from Day One! On May 28, 1905, she came into the world at Troy, NY. Catherine McWilliams and Thomas Joseph Coffey were her parents and both native upstate New Yorkers. She had a brother and a sister. Her birth certificate identified her as Mary Coffee – C-o-f-f-e-e (as in first item of one’s day). By the time she was baptized seven days later she was Mary A. Coffey (as in her legal name today). ‘A’ was for Agnes. When she was confirmed in October 1915, she was Mary Catherine Coffey. When she applied to Maryknoll in November 1930, she was Mae A. Coffey. When she was received as a Novice in 1931 the name of Sister Marie Jogues was bestowed on her.

After her graduation from St. Joseph’s Academy at Troy she entered the business world until her entrance to Maryknoll on December 21, 1930. She made her first Profession of Vows on June 24, 1933, and Final Vows three years later, both at Maryknoll, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Education degree at Maryknoll Teachers College. Education was important to her, and through the years she sought to enhance her teaching ability, academically as well as theologically.

Her first assignment was to Hawaii in July 1938. It was also her mission until 1975 when she returned to the mainland and took up residence at Monrovia, California convent. For one year, July 1978 to July 1979 she ministered to the elderly at Schenectady, New York. Then it was back to Monrovia until her requested return to the Center in 1992, as she began to realize her physical diminishment.

She was always happy at any assignment which came her way, but teaching had a high rating with her – Maryknoll schools in Punahou, Maui, Waialua, Waikiki, and ministry at Kalihi Valley Housing. She found joy and friendship at all of these assignments in the Paradise of the Pacific. Her address book attests to the love and appreciation of all whose lives touched hers.

At Monrovia she settled into the happy life of ministry, service, family, friends and all of those other nice things which are God’s precious gifts to us.

In 1968, she had answered a questionnaire by saying among other things that she would like to learn to sew since she was then in an age bracket which marked her as ‘an older Sister’ and soon the day would come when full classes to teach would no longer be within her physical capacity. At Monrovia the Senior Citizen Center offered sewing classes. So each Wednesday morning, armed with dressmaking supplies and good will, four stalwarts set out to deal with Singer Sewing Machines and a patient teacher. They became known as the ‘sewers’ – pronounced sooers – as it was easier to collect them under that name, assemble them in the staging area at the front of the convent, bundle them into the car, and then point them toward the front gate. At the end of the school year a fashion show was held at the local high school.

Sister had class, elegance and dignity. She wore her Maryknoll habit with pride and joy. When the traditional habits metamorphosed into contemporary dress, she very carefully chose her new apparel; most of it coming from the work of her hands. She was a very fine needlepoint plyer. Knitting was also a favorite as well as crocheting. The Monrovia Maryknoll Guild mourned her move to the east as they lost one of their biggest and best contributors to the handwork booth. She was no doubt with them in spirit on Sunday, December 8th, as they faithfully continued to give themselves again to this project which she had encouraged them in.

One of the remarkable things about Sister was her hearing. She was lovingly called “Ears” as we were almost sure she could hear a gnat open its eyes. She was a good checkpoint for anything that may have been missed by others in a homily, tv note, etc. However, during the last six or eight months of her life this became a trial as she experienced the almost total loss of the faculty which had brought such joy to her years. Her positive attitude toward life enabled her to continue whatever she could in community celebrations – daily and special liturgies, dinner in the main dining room on special occasions, or just informal get-togethers.

We thank our Maryknoll brother, Father John Hudert for being with us and presiding at this Liturgy of the Resurrection.