Sr. Joan Beairsto

Born in Middletown, NY, on April 27, 1933, Joan Marie was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Neville Beairsto. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 7,1952, and received the name Sister Joseph Mary.She professed her first vows in 1954 and her final vows in 1959.

Sister Joan received a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, in 1958; an MS in Reading from Hunter College, NY, in 1966; and an EdD in Reading and Language from Boston University, Boston, MA, in 1974.

Sister Joan’s ministry of education included St. Theresa School, Bronx, NY (1954-1955);St.Helena School, Bronx, NY (1955-1958); St. Catherine School, Binghamton, NY (1958-1964); St.Catherine of Siena School,NYC(1964-1965)St.Rose of LimaSchool,NYC(1965-1967);Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Middletown, NY (1967-1968); St. Paul School, Valley Cottage, NY (1968-1972); St. Thomas Aquinas College,Sparkill,NY(1968-1972);Boston University Teaching Fellowship (1972-1974); Brooklyn College,adjunct professor (1974-1975); and St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill (1968-1972,1975-2015) as professor, administrator,and Coordinator of the MST Program. Sister Joan was a beloved member of the STAC Community for over 40 years.

Sister Joan was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Mary Neville Beairsto, and her siblings:Patricia,Virginia, Elizabeth,Joseph, Alfred, John, David,James,Thomas,Robert,and Sister Carol Beairsto, RGS. She is survived by her brother James and her beloved nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, as well as the Dominican Sisters, Associates, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel,Sparkill, NY on Wednesday, February 25 at 11:00AM. Visitation is Wednesday,February 25, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30AM 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.