“For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.”
-Proverbs 8:35
Sister Joan Williams, 84, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 65 years, died on September 25, 2024. She entered religious life on August 23, 1959, and took the name Sister John Kathleen when she received her habit; she later returned to her baptismal name.
Sister Joan was born on April 30, 1940, in Lead, South Dakota, the eldest child of John “Jack” and Julie (née O’Connor) Williams. She grew up in Greybull, Wyoming, and graduated from Greybull High School.
Sister Joan earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary College. She spent 26 years teaching and administrating elementary schools across California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Following her school ministry, she was invited to serve in hospitals. She was an invaluable presence in the emergency room and the home health office at DePaul Hospital in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She then spent the next 18 years serving on the pastoral team at United Memorial Hospital (now Cheyenne Regional Medical Center).
Sister Joan retired from the hospital in 2010 but continued volunteering in Cheyenne. She often made birthday cakes and prepared meals for the residents of Holy Trinity Manor, which provided low-income housing for seniors. “We never had an activity without a treat or a meal when Sister Joan was around. From Bingo to birthday parties, she never let us be without wonderful food,” said her dear friend, Sister Ruth Ann Hehn, SCL. Her fellow SCL Community members enjoyed tasting the many dinners she provided for their house. She returned to the SCL Mother House in Leavenworth in 2015.
Although a quiet person, many appreciated Sister Joan’s cheerful and delightful disposition, dry sense of humor, prayerful spirit, and beautiful smile. Remembering her kind and loving nature, her family shared that she would spend time baking Snickerdoodle cookies with her nieces and nephews when she visited their families. Sister Joan loved her family and enjoyed inviting Sisters to join her on family visits.
Sister Joan was preceded in death by her parents, brother, John, sister, Jean, and niece Jamie Williams. Survivors include her sisters Judy (Bob), Rowan, and Janet (Denny) Mogan; sister-in-law Shirley Williams; nieces and nephews; and the SCL Community.
There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., Sunday, October 6, 2024, in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024. Interment follows in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.
