Sister Joyce Ann Berkel (formerly Sr. John de Deo), SSND, age 89, died February 16, 2023. She served as Secretary to Bishop (now Archbishop Emeritus) James P. Keleher and Bishop (now Cardinal) Wilton D. Gregory.
Sister Joyce Ann taught high school following completion of her studies and first profession of vows, on August 3, 1957. She spent the decade of the 1960s at Academy of Notre Dame in Belleville, followed by two years as associate administrator. She moved back to St. Louis, serving as principal at Notre Dame High School from 1971 through 1978. She was called to Rome, where she served as secretary to the General Superior through 1987. Upon returning from Rome, she served as the secretary to the bishop of Belleville until 1997. She then accepted a role in ministry as secretary to the provincial leader in St. Louis, concluding that post in 2007. In the years since, she volunteered in numerous capacities in both St. Louis and Shiloh.
A wake was held February 20 at the Sarah Community and a wake was held at Theresa Center this morning before a Mass of Christian Burial was held with Rev. Clyde Grogan as celebrant. Internment was at the Motherhouse cemetery.
Please pray for Sister Berkel, that she may share in His eternal Kingdom. Please also keep in your prayers the members of the School Sisters of Notre Dame as they mourn the loss of their sister.
