Sr. GolesThe funeral Mass for Sister Mary John Goles was celebrated Jan. 12 in the chapel at St. Anne’s Retirement Center in Columbia, Pa. Sister Mary John, a professed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 75 years, died Jan. 6 at St. Anne’s. She was 94 years old.
Born in Steelton, Pa., she professed first vows in 1942, and final vows five years later at St. Joseph Convent in Columbia, Pa. Sister Mary John attended the Precious Blood Teacher Training Institute in Columbia, Pa., and Mount Mercy College and Duquesne University, both in Pittsburgh. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Duquesne.
Sister Mary John taught elementary school, and sometimes doubled as principal, from 1942 to 2001 in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia and at St. Joseph Croatian School in St. Louis.
She had a great love for birds and cared for parakeets in her later years. She was devoted to Mary and the Beatitudes. She shared her cooking skills with others.
Burial was in the convent cemetery.