Obituary of Sr. Jo Ann C. Bromley

Sister Jo Ann Bromley, (89), formerly Sister Teresa Joseph, a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth, passed away on March 7, 2026, at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson, NJ. Sister Jo Ann was born on December 9, 1936, in Newark, NJ, the daughter of James and Josephine (Heft) Bromley. She entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth on September 6, 1955, and was a member for 70 years.

Sister Jo Ann graduated from the College (University) of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, with an M.A. degree in Educational Administration and Supervision. She also studied at Mundelein College, Chicago, IL and Montclair State College, Montclair, NJ. In addition to her studies in education, Sr. JoAnn also received a Certificate of successful completion in Montclair State College’s Residential Care Operator Training Program.

Sister Jo Ann served in the ministry of education as a teacher at Holy Cross School in Harrison, NJ, and St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Paterson, NJ, and as principal of St. Joseph Elementary School, Paterson, and St. Michael’s School, Newark, NJ. After many years in education, Sr. Jo Ann changed ministries and became the Administrator of Mother Seton Manor, Montclair, NJ, and Caritas Community, Jersey City, NJ, both residences for retired Sisters of Charity. For many years, she also served as Administrator of Mt. Saint Andrew Villa, Paramus, NJ where she continued to minister to the elderly. Sister Jo Ann’s gracious, compassionate and welcoming presence was felt by all, and her smile lifted the hearts and spirits of those whom she encountered on her life’s journey. She often and easily expressed her gratitude, and her desire to be of service to others was so evident in how she provided for needs of those who were in her care. When Mt. Saint Andrew Villa closed, she participated in a “Transition in Ministry Program” at St. Joseph Hospital, Paterson, and then served as Coordinator of Volunteers at St. Vincent Nursing Home (now Complete Care at St. Vincents) in Cedar Grove, NJ.

Sister Jo Ann was predeceased in death by her parents James and Josephine, her brothers Joseph, Edward, Thomas, William and Harvey Anderson, and her sister, Jeanne Steinberg. She is survived by her Sisters of Charity community, especially Sr. Kathy Mirenda, her sister Barbara Osborne, and many loving family members including nieces, nephew, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins.

The wake and funeral for Sister Jo Ann will be held at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM and will be livestreamed. 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 07961-0746 would be greatly appreciated.