Sister Joanne Bonville, OP (Sister James Marie) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died September 12, 2024, in Bronxville, NY. She was 92.
The daughter of the late John and Florence (Mayville) Bonville, she was born December 4, 1931 in Malone, New York.
Sister Joanne entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in Fall River, Massachusetts in August 1949, made her First Profession in August 1951, and Final Profession in August 1954. She earned her BA in English/History from Regis College (Weston MA), her MA in Administration from Fairfield University (CT), and her MA in Religious Studies from Providence College (RI).
Sister Joanne taught at Dominican Academy in Fall River, Massachusetts from 1949-53; in the religious education program at St. Ann’s Parish in Mooers Forks, New York from 1953-54; at St. Peter’s School in Plattsburgh, New York from 1955-60; and at St. Bernadette School in New Haven, Connecticut from 1960-67. She was principal of St. Peter’s School in Plattsburgh from 1967-78. She served on the general council of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River from 1970-82 and was vocation director and director of on-going formation from 1982-87. Sister Joanne was administrator of St. Catherine’s Convent in Fall River from 1987-90. Since 1990, she taught 6th grade at Holy Family/Holy Name School in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
In addition to her regular ministry, Sister Joanne volunteered in the Visitors & Eucharistic Ministers Program at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford from 1979-84, and also served as a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Julie’s Parish in North Dartmouth for a number of years.
Sister Joanne was an avid sports fan, favoring the Yankees and the Patriots; she enjoyed reading
Mysteries, and loved to entertain guests. Her greatest love was being with people and just gabbing about anything and everything. No visit ever went unappreciated. She will be remembered for her generosity and service as well as her warm smile and beautiful curly hair.
Sister Joanne is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope and her sister, Carol Mullen and brother, Robert Bonville and several nieces and nephews and their children. She is predeceased by her brother, Jack Bonville and her sister, Elaine Hidy.
Sister’s funeral will take place on Thursday September 26, 2024 in the Chapel of the Center at Mariandale, 299 N. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562. There will be a Wake Service at 10:15am. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Sister’s burial will follow immediately after the liturgy in the Dominican Sisters’ Cemetery at the Center at Mariandale.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home, Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Joanne’s name can be made to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 N. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562.
I have fond memories of Sr. Joanne when she was my kindergarten teacher. We knew her as Sr. James Marie. I was thrilled to work with her again later in life when I was the Development Director in Fall River.