October 10, 1935 – January 29, 2024
Sr. Mary Joseph Palma, 88 years old, was called to eternal life on January 29, 2024, at Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Franciscan Courts in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Sr. Mary Joseph, born on October 10, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Francis F. and Bernadine (Hirsch) Palma, was named and baptized Rosemary Catherine. Of her parents she wrote: “Both have always been an inspiration of good Christian living, bringing the Gospel alive in daily life and bringing much love to our family.” She was one of seven children, having four sisters, Betty Brandt, Margie Seitz, Sr. Bernadette Palma, SSM and Mary Juco, and two brothers Gerald Palma and Francis Palma.
Rosemary Catherine entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother on August 19, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She professed first vows on August 12, 1955, at Mother of Sorrows Convent, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, receiving the name Sister Mary Joseph. Sister celebrated her Silver Jubilee on August 16, 1980, in Milwaukee Wisconsin, her Golden Jubilee on August 7, 2005, and her 60th Jubilee on August 9, 2015, both in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Sr. Mary Joseph attended Sorrowful Mother High School at the Convent of the Sorrowful Mother and earned her Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and Spanish from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sr. Mary Joseph attended an intensive Spanish immersion program at the Universidad International Menendez Pelayo in Santander, Spain. She was later rewarded a lifetime certificate to teach Spanish from the State of Wisconsin. Later in life, she returned to school at Mount Mary College to earn a certificate in Gerontology.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sr. Mary Joseph served in the role of teacher in various schools where the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother ministered: St. Cecilia’s School, Thiensville, WI; St. Francis Borgia School, Cedarburg, WI; Our Lady of Good Hope School, Milwaukee, WI; Mother of Perpetual Help School, Milwaukee, WI; and Divine Savior Angels High School, Milwaukee, WI. She also served in various administrative roles, including being head of the Milwaukee Province of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother from 1978-1982. Other ministries included providing clerical support for the Economic Department at Marquette University, for the Service Empowerment Transformation Ministry (S.E.T.), Milwaukee, WI; for Holy Redeemer Parish, Milwaukee, WI; receptionist at St. Philip Neri parish in Milwaukee, WI, and Assistant Vice President of Mission Effectiveness for the SSM Ministry Corporation in Milwaukee, WI.
Sr. Mary Joseph maintained membership on committees and organizations for religious life, including Leadership Conference of Women Religious Region IX, National Assembly of Women Religious, Religious Formation Conference, and the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Sisters’ Council. The SSM Congregation benefitted from her participation as a delegate at multiple Provincial and General Assemblies. In her autobiography, she wrote: “I thank God with all my heart for having called me to become a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother.” She will be remembered for her peaceful life and gentle spirit.
Sr. Mary Joseph was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Francis. Homecoming was held on February 1, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts with Father William Hower officiating. Burial took place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Submitted by Sr. Judith Marie Beck