A memorial Mass for Sister Maryellen Tierney (Thomas Maureen) was celebrated Nov. 30 at Nazareth Living Center Chapel in south St. Louis County. Sister Maryellen of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet died Nov. 9 at Nazareth Living Center. She was 85 years old.
Sister Maryellen was born on March 3, 1939, in St. Louis to Thomas Anthony and Mary Bridget (Barry) Tierney. She was received into the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1958 as Sister Thomas Maureen. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business education from Fontbonne College (now Fontbonne University) in St. Louis in 1964 and a master’s in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame in 1971.
Sister Maryellen served her first 12 years of ministry in education. She taught at American Martyrs Grade School in Kingsford, Michigan (1962-64); Academy of Our Lady in Peoria, Illinois (1964-67); St. Paul Grade School in Negaunee, Michigan (1967-68); and St. Jude Grade School in St. Louis (1968-70). She served her last two years in education as principal at St. Thomas More Grade School in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 1972, Sister Maryellen moved back to St. Louis, where she remained and called home. For the next 33 years, she served in administration at CSJ-related organizations. Beginning in 1972, she was at the St. Joseph Generalate (now known as the Congregational Center) of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet as the generalate secretary for 10 years and administrative assistant for two. She then served at the Carondelet Health System from 1984-99 as an administrative assistant/office manager and then the executive assistant.
Sister Maryellen served the next 14 years as the administrative assistant at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Provincial House (also known as the Carondelet Motherhouse). During that time, she was an integral part of the vast renovations there.
Sister Maryellen retired in 2014 and served as a volunteer. In 2023, she moved to Nazareth Living Center and carried out her ministry of prayer and presence.
