Obituary of Sr. Clare Mary Roden, SC

Sister Clare Mary Roden, 92, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died August 19, 2024, at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center, New Jersey.

Sister Clare Mary was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of Philip and Helen E. (Manning) Roden. She entered the Sisters of Charity on October 2, 1949, and was a member for 74 years.

Sister Clare Mary graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey with a B.A. degree in English. Her first teaching assignment was at Saint Antoninus School, Newark, followed by assignments at Saint Joseph School, Paterson and Saint Bridget School, Jersey City. After receiving a M.A. degree in Education from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, she taught English, Religion and Latin in the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Hoboken, Saint John High School, Paterson and Paramus Catholic Regional High School, Paramus. She served as the Supervisor of Schools, Western Province, Paterson. Sister Clare Mary also served as Director of Religious Education for Annunciation Parish, Wayne, Saint James Parish, Totowa and Holy Trinity Parish, Hackensack. Upon retiring she moved to Saint Anne Villa, Convent Station in 2016 and continued her ministry by volunteering for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Sister Clare moved to St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Totowa in 2021 and to St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare, Caldwell in 2023 where she resided until her death.

A devoted Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Sister Clare Mary inspired generations through her teaching. Her deep Catholic faith was the foundation of her life, and she found boundless joy in her religious vocation. Known for her humility, kindness, and loving nature, she cherished her community, family, friends and students always making time to send thoughtful cards and notes. Her unwavering commitment to her faith and community was matched by her gentle spirit and generosity, making her a beloved figure to all who knew her.

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Sister Clare Mary was predeceased by her parents Philip and Helen Roden, her brother Joseph and sister-in-law Patricia, brothers Robert and Frederick. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity Community, her sister-in-law Carol of Connecticut and many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grand nieces, and great-grand nephews.

The wake for Sister Clare Mary Roden will be held at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, New Jersey on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station, will immediately follow the Mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service. The Mass will be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961-0476, would be appreciated.