Sister Mary Elizabeth was born in New York on August 15, 1944, to Patrick and Mary Cosgrove Mooney.She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1962, and received the name Sister John Carmel.Sister Mary Elizabeth professed her first vows in 1964 and final vows in 1969.
Sister Mary Elizabeth earned a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY, in 1969; an MS in Education from City College in NYC in 1974; and certification in Administration from Fordham University in NY in 1986.
Sister Mary Elizabeth began her educational ministry at Sacred Heart School in Monroe,NY, where she served from 1966 to 1968. She then moved to St. Rose of Lima School in New York City, where she worked from 1968 to 1974. From 1974 until 2025, Sister Mary Elizabeth dedicated herself to the children and families of the South Bronx at St.John Chrysostom School. She served as the Assistant Principal from 1974 to 1994 and then as the Principal until 2025, an extraordinary commitment of 51 years. In 1995, Sister Mary Elizabeth received the Law Enforcement Support Award from the New York Shields,and in 2014, the Midtown Hero Education Award sponsored by the Daily News.
Sister Mary Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Mary Cosgrove Mooney. She is survived by her brothers, Thomas, Terence, and John and their families, as well as her beloved Dominican Sisters, Associates, friends, and colleagues.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill, NY on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 11:00AM a.m. Visitation is Thursday, September 3rd, 9:30AM 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.
Funeral Mass link: 11AM https://vimeo.com/event/6155104
