Sister Mary John Goles, ASC died on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 2019. She was 94 years old and had been a professed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 75 years.
She was born Mary Valeria on February 19, 1924, in Steelton, Pennsylvania to John Goles and Catherine (Sestric Vergot) Goles. She was the youngest child in a family of eight children.
Mary Valeria attended St. Joseph Academy in Columbia, Pennsylvania, then asked to enter the Adorers Community.
Under her religious name, Sister Mary John professed first vows on August 12, 1942, and her final vows exactly five years later, at St. Joseph Convent in Columbia, Pennsylvania.
She attended the Precious Blood Teacher Training Institute, Columbia, Pennsylvania; and Mount Mercy College and Duquesne University, both in Pittsburgh. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Duquesne (year unrecorded).
Sister Mary John taught elementary school and sometimes doubled as principal, from 1942 to 2001 at St. Rochus School, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; St. Jerome School, Chicago; Immaculate Conception School, East Chicago, Indiana; Sacred Heart School in McKeesport, Pennsylvania; Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Niles, Ohio; St. Francis School, Lumberton, North Carolina; St. Teresa School, Albany, Georgia; St. Joseph Croatian School, St. Louis; Seven Sorrows School, Middletown, Pennsylvania; St. Peter School, Greenville, North Carolina; St. Mary’s School, Steelton, Pennsylvania; and Sacred Heart School, Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Sister had a great love for birds and cared for parakeets in her later years, attracting visitors that she joked would not have come to see her otherwise.
Sister Mary John was devoted to Mary and said that she tried to live the Beatitudes. She was a great cook, and shared her skill with others.
Sister Mary John is survived by nieces and nephews and their spouses.
She is buried in the convent cemetery.
We will miss you Mary John. We became friends on a visit to Pa when Sister Helen Moore (my sister) was there. Sr MJ and my daughter took to one another right away and we have been friends since then. R>I>P> and may your piece of Heaven be filled with birdies. Love You, Pat and Audrey Rettig
I will miss you Sister Mary John. I used to come up to Columbia to visit and we always had so much fun. The last time we came up was for your funeral. So sad to see you there, but you are now with the Lord, It was good seeing all the Sisters again, missed you but know that you and the birds are in a much better place.
I knew Sr. Mary John during the many years I was a member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, in Columbia, Pa. (Sr. Mary Austin). Her smile-I know this sounds like a cliche-but her smile was beautiful and kind and real.
I knew Sr. Mary John during the many years I was a member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, in Columbia, Pa. (Sr. Mary Austin). Her smile-I know this sounds like a cliche-but her smile was beautiful and kind and real.
I knew Sr. Mary John from the years I spent as an ASC, Columbia, Pa. I remember her for her gentle kindness, and beautiful smile, and how her eyes twinkled when she laughed.