Passing of Sister Joan Chatfield, MM

Maryknoll Marketing & Communications
Sister Joan Chatfield, M.M., Ph.D., was a Maryknoll Sister for 68 years and one of the great examples of Christ’s love in our community. She died peacefully Friday, March 1, 2019.

Funeral Services For Sr. Joan Chatfield
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Sacred Heart Church
1701 Wilder Ave. Honolulu, HI 96822

Visitation: 9:00AM
Mass: 10:30AM
Lunch and Community Sharing to follow at the Maryknoll Community Center from 11:30AM to 1:30PM

Parking available at the Maryknoll Grade School Campus
(enter via Dole St. driveway)

Burial Service will take place at 2:00PM 
Diamond Head Memorial Park
529 18th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Sister Joan, from Elizabeth, New Jersey, entered Maryknoll in 1950. She earned a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry from Manhattanville College in Harrison, New York, M.A in New Testament and Early Christian Community Studies and Ph.D., Sociology of Religion, University of California, Berkeley and Graduate Theological Union.

Sister Joan was assigned to Hawaii in 1956. From 1956-1972 she taught at St Ann’s High school Kaneohe for 3 years, St. Anthony’s High school, Maui for 8 years and Maryknoll High School for 4 years. She became the executive director of the Institute for Religion and Social Change, an organization that promotes interfaith activities, in 1976.

Sister Joan brought people together from all different cultures, faiths, and beliefs and helped them realize that the lines that seem to separate us are erased with love, understanding, forgiveness, and compassion for one another.  She was a wise, vocal, spiritual leader in Hawaii promoting social justice for all of the people of Hawaii and beyond. She was well known for her humor and her story-telling. 

Through her genuine interest in the well-being of others, she developed and facilitated meaningful professional and social relationships which created a special synergy with all of the individuals and organizations with which she was connected. She was truly a “Hawaii Living Treasure” which she was recognized for by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii in 2009.
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1526 Alexander St.
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: 808.952.8400