Obituary of Sr. Maeve McDermott

Sister Maeve McDermott, (92), formerly Sister Anne de Prague, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died February 3, 2026, at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, NJ. Sister Maeve was born in Dublin, Ireland, the daughter of John and Delia (Regan) McDermott. She entered the Sisters of Charity on October 1, 1951, and was a dedicated member for 74 years.

Sister Maeve graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey with a B.A. degree in English, and from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ with a M.A. degree in Elementary Education. She also studied at the Center for Public Policy in Cambridge, MA. Sister Maeve served in the ministry of education in Jersey City, NJ for 63 years. She began her teaching ministry at St. Michael’s School. Following this, Sister Maeve taught at St. Patrick’s School and in 1967, she moved to All Saints Convent, beginning a 46-year relationship with the All Saints community. As parishes were combined and situations changed, Sister Maeve’s commitment to the people of the Bergan/Lafayette section of Jersey City never wavered.

After initially serving a dual role as teacher and principal at All Saints School, Sister Maeve became a full-time principal there. As parish boundaries changed, Sister Maeve’s leadership role was designated as principal of Assumption/All Saints School and then Co-Principal of Assumption/All Saints/St. Patrick School. She shared this role with her dear friend, the late Sister Mary Lou Hayden. When this school closed the Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School opened in the school building. At that time Sister Maeve became the Director of Trinity Child Care Center located there. Sister Maeve served the community of the Sisters in Charity as Coordinator of Education for the Northern Province.

Sister Maeve had a charismatic personality; she was a master of networking and fearless in taking risks and advocating for all in need, particularly children. Sister Maeve recruited teachers from Ireland and the Philippines and assisted them and other immigrant teachers with obtaining the necessary documentation to live and work in the United States. Her efforts helped to staff many Catholic schools in Hudson County, NJ. Sister Maeve dearly loved her family, and she developed life-long friendships with Sisters of Charity, parishioners, neighbors, and colleagues.

Sister Maeve was preceded in death by her parents, Delia and John and her brothers Jack, Edward, and Joseph. She is survived by her Sisters of Charity community, many loving family members including a niece, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

The wake for Sister Maeve McDermott will be held at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM and will be livestreamed. Please click here to join us via live stream.

Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station, NJ. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S. J. Priola Funeral Services, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sisters of Charity Office of Legacy and Mission Advancement, P. O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961-0476, would be appreciated.