Sister Szumowski

Albany- Szumowski RSM, Sister June, (Sister Mary Immaculata) died Sunday, November 13, 2016 at St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Albany. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 68 years. Born in Troy, New York, she was the daughter of the late Jacob Szumowski and Mildred Bojarczuk Szumowski. A graduate of Catholic Central High School, Troy, she earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Saint Rose. She pursued studies at St. Mary's Hospital, Brooklyn, becoming a Registered Medical Librarian, and at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Massachusetts, earning certification as a Hospital Chaplain. Sister ministered in various capacities at St. Peter's Hospital, serving for many years as the Director of Medical Records and later in the Pastoral Care Department as a Chaplain. She was a key figure in establishing the SHARE program at the hospital. This ministry of offering a supportive presence to parents who experienced the loss of a baby was dear to Sister June's heart. It flourished under the guidance of her gentle, compassionate presence. She was beloved by nurses and other hospital staff as well as by patients and their families. Sister June's deep faith in the power of prayer moved her to embrace the House of Prayer movement. She welcomed every opportunity to pray with and for people. Her prayer was marked by a spirit of gratitude which easily overflowed into her interactions with others. "Thank you" was never far from her lips. Her firm commitment to justice issues led her to long term membership on the community's Justice Committee. Sister June came to every meeting well informed on issues and willing to speak and then to act on behalf of those whose rights were ignored. Her commitment to direct service to the poor brought her to volunteer at CONSERNS-U and Circles of Mercy, both organizations which serve the needy population in Rensselaer. Sister June is survived by her sister, Helen Rega; nephews Daniel (Patricia), and Michael (Ann); nieces Mary Jo Norman (Craig) and Anne Rega; several grandnieces and grandnephews and one great grandnephew as well as by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy. Viewing hours will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 17, in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Prayer Service of Remembrance in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 18, at the Convent of Mercy. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff of St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the great tenderness with which they cared for our Sister. Contributions may be made in Sister June's memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.