Obituary of Mary St. John

Castello, Sr Mary St John of Our Holy Redeemer, OP (Norma) of the Dominican Monastery of Mary the Queen, 1310 West Church St, Elmira NY, died on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at the age of 86. She is predeceased by her parents Emilia and Quentin Castello, and sister, Evelyn C Crandall. She is survived by members of her religious community, her nephew, Russell (Maureen) Crandall of East Hampton, NY, and her niece, Mary Lou Herrick of Southold, NY. Sister was born and raised in Union City, NJ. She completed the two year course in music at Marymount College, NYC. After graduation and some work experience, she entered Corpus Christi Monastery, Bronx, NY, on January 1, 1954, and made her Final Profession on January 13, 1963. She was an extern sister caring for visitors for over fifty years and was organist for all liturgical celebrations. She was greatly loved by visitors, especially the children of the neighborhood, and by the poor. She transferred to the Monastery of Mary the Queen in February, 2007, serving in various areas of monastic work. She made her Solemn Profession as a Dominican nun on her Birthday-Feastday of December 27, 2011. Friends may visit the Monastery Chapel to pay their respects on Sunday, March 17th, from 1:30 pm to7:30 pm. There will be a Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Monastery Chapel on Monday, March 18th at 11 am. Interment will follow in St Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Friends may send memorial contributions to the Monastery or to CareFirst on Hoffman Street. Walter J Kent Funeral Home is assisting the community.