Sr. Joan Caldano, F.S.P.

Sr. Joan Caldano, F.S.P. (formerly Sr. Ellen Michael), a longtime Yonkers resident, died on Tuesday December 10, 2013 at St. John’s Riverside Hospital. She was 76 years old. She was born on January 3, 1937 to Michael and Helen Walsh Caldano in New York City where she was raised and educated, graduating from Assisium Business School in NYC, Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY where she received a BA in Social Science in 1967 and SUNY at New Paltz where she received a Masters Degree in Social Science in 1972. She entered the Franciscan Sisters on September 8, 1955 and professed her final vows on August 14, 1962. She held teaching positions in schools in NYC, New Jersey and Westchester County and served as Principal of Holy Angels School in Little Falls, NJ. She was Provincial Secretary, Director of Ministry and Assistant Provincial Superior at Mt. St. Francis in Peekskill. Her 20 year career at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx included positions as Cancer Care Technician and Patient/Family Advocate. She also served as Councilor on the Leadership Team of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace, and as Sister Advocate of the Health Care Team.

Sr. Joan received the Distinguished Member Award from the NY Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy in 1999 and was a contributing author to “Calvary Hospital: A Model for Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer”. Sr. Joan is survived by three cousins, Michael Jossa, Marilyn MacDonnell and Sarah MacDonnell of Tewksbury, MA as well as relatives in Italy. She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Daniel Caldano. Visiting Hours will be at Marian Woods Convent, 152 Ridge Road, Hartsdale on Thursday 3-8 pm with a wake service at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Marian Woods Convent on Friday December 13th at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com