Sister Miriam Honora Corr

In the midst of sadness, we celebrate because the life of Sister Miriam Honora Corr, Honora, Aunt Nonie, is definitely something to celebrate.

We begin with her Irish Heritage, passed on by her loving parents Sara and Luke and shared with her extended family of aunts and cousins from her earliest days. The deep faith instilled in her through family and her early education was the foundation of her life. Through elementary school in Holy Cross, Brooklyn, and Bishop McDonnell High School she and her sister Kathleen enjoyed the joy and warmth of family and many celebrations filled with Irish music, food and dance. Faith and relationships grounded Honora for the rest of her life.

After attending St. Joseph’s College Miriam taught a year before entering the congregation. Here begins her story of faithful service, openness to do whatever needs to be done and her deep trust in God’s presence in her life. That trust was integral to her Irish heritage and spirituality guiding how she thought, what she did and how she did it.

When Honora entered the congregation, I am not sure she thought she would meet another Irish kindred spirit who would be a lifelong friend, Sister Stephanie Duggan who had come from Ireland and now became part of the family. After teaching elementary school Miriam came to St. Joseph’s College for Women and earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Catholic University. During the 1960s Miriam was an enthusiastic teacher in the Child Study Department and those of us in her classes had no idea of her many responsibilities in community as religious life was changing in response to Vatican II and all while pursuing her doctoral degree from Columbia University. How often did we see her stepping quickly, almost running down Clinton Avenue to the train on her way to classes at Columbia University after a full day of teaching.

Miriam’s time at St. Joseph’s was interrupted by a call from the congregation in 1969 to minister in the formation of new members. Her response came from a deep discernment knowing this would mean leaving her ministry at the college. But consistent with doing what needed to be done, Miriam moved to the Brentwood Novitiate and mentored young women discerning their call to religious life. Many are here today because of her guidance. Along with her formation ministry she returned to St. Joseph’s College campus in Patchogue as an adjunct professor in Child Study while still trying to finish her doctoral dissertation at Columbia University. I think they call that multitasking. She did earn her doctorate from Columbia University in 1972.

In all these roles, relationships were key. Supported by her dear friends Sisters Mary Morrin, Stephanie and Eileen Stephens there would be light moments of vacation time in our house in Hampton Bays. We all knew they were there sharing a room on the second floor of Cottage C because you could hear the Irish music playing as you walked along the path outside.

Faith and family were the foundation of Miriam’s life and when her sister Kathleen’s husband Jim died suddenly, Miriam became an anchor for the family, there to listen, help, mentor and celebrate. Her strength and generous spirit are gifts they cherish. I loved the story shared at Miriam’s 90^th birthday celebration remembering they knew when Aunt Nonie and Aunt Mary (Morrin) had come to the house to help because they could smell the Pledge. She was keenly interested in what everyone was doing and supportive of their decisions as they grew into adults with their own families. Those regular evening calls kept her abreast of family news and she carefully noted everyone’s accomplishments. There was always room for fun at family celebrations and gatherings of the clan in Breezy Point.

When Miriam completed her ministry as Novice Director in 1978, she returned to St. Joseph’s College full time in the Child Study Department until 1982. She was then elected Regional Superior, serving the congregation, to support and guide sisters throughout Suffolk County with honesty and compassion.

At the end of her term as Regional Miriam returned to St. Joseph’s College where she continued to minister until 2016. During those years, the college was growing and expanding its offerings to meet the needs of the times. Miriam served as chair of the Child Study Department and played a critical role in developing the first master’s program St. Joseph’s would offer, Infant and Toddler Early Intervention. With her experience and background in curriculum and teaching, and her determination she maneuvered the complex paths to have the program accredited by New York State. New York State recognized her efforts when she was awarded the Charles C. Mackey Award for Excellence in Service Leadership. Her dedication to St. Joseph’s College, founded by our congregation, is reflected in the way she lived her life. St. Joseph’s motto Esse Non Videri, To Be and Not to Seem, describes Miriam’s life of spiritual depth, integrity, intellectual rigor and service, pillars of the now St. Joseph’s University.

On her retirement, Miriam moved to Stella Mari’s Convent in the Rockaways to be near her sister Kathleen in Breezy Point and to be with her dear friend Mary Morrin. Here she continued to encourage and support the sisters, taking great pride in overseeing the sacristy along with staying connected with her family. Miriam’s strong faith and steady demeanor helped her meet the diminishment of aging with patience, openness, and trust. If you asked her how she was doing the answer came quite emphatically: “I’m doing very well, they are taking very good care of us here and all my numbers are good.” She was blessed with the superb care she received at Stella Maris and the support of her family, the sisters and all the nurses and staff. She held on to her independence in any way she could but graciously received the care she needed.

Miriam, sister, aunt, cousin, mentor, professor and friend you are no longer present here with us but all of the life lessons you taught us remain with us and continue to sustain us. I believe the saying on a small card Miriam gave me in my Office Book the day I entered this congregation can continue to guide us all:

Trust God when dark doubts assail you.

Trust God when your faith is small.

Trust God when to simply trust is the hardest thing of all.

Miriam you can rest in Peace dear friend because we all know we are blessed.

Helen Kearney, CSJ

Sister Miriam Honora Corr died on April 28, 2026 in the 74th year of her religious life.