Sr. Jude Miriam DePalma

Sister Jude Miriam DePalma, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on December 19, 2025, in Siena Hall, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY. She was 86 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on November 2, 1939, Helen was the daughter of John and Miriam Stack DePalma. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill, NY, on September 8, 1957, and received the name Sister Jude Miriam. She professed first vows in 1959 and final vows in 1964.

Sister Jude Miriam received a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, in 1962; an MA in English from St. John University, NY, in 1973; and Certification in Gerontology from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, in 1989.

Sister Jude Miriam’s ministry of education included St. John Chrysostom School, Bronx, NY (1959-1961); St. Augustine School, New City, NY (1961-1967); and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Richmond Hill, NY (1967-1982). From 1982 to 2006, Sister Jude served as the Program Coordinator, and from 2006 to 2018 as the Community Service Coordinator, at Thorpe Senior Center in Sparkill, NY.

Sister Jude Miriam was predeceased by her parents, John and Miriam, and her sister, Mary DePalma Burke. She is survived by her sister, Miriam Heck, her brother John, relatives, Dominican Sisters, Associates, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill, NY on Tuesday, December 23 at 11:00AM. Visitation and viewing is Tuesday, December 23, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dominican Sisters at the above address, attention – Sr. Irene Ellis, Prioress.