Sister Mary Joseph McDermott died Oct. 27, 2015, in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo, after a brief illness. She was 82 years old.

The former Annie Teresa McDermott was born May 8, 1933, in Ireland, to John and Ellen (Patterson) McDermott. She joined religious life in the Order of the Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady in Scarsdale in 1952, professing perpetual vows in 1957. As part of this order, she served in a school cafeteria and bookstore, as sacristan of a monastery and as a baker, dining room assistant and receptionist.

In 1998, Sister Joseph began living with the Felician Sisters in the Diocese of Buffalo and, in 1999, began the process of formally transferring to their order. She professed perpetual vows as a Felician Sister in 2002. She served as a receptionist and seamstress, also caring for the sisters who were patients in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center. She also helped arrange funeral services for sisters who passed away.

On Oct. 8, Sister Joseph underwent successful triple bypass surgery, but suffered a stroke the next day. She became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Center on Oct. 21.

She is survived by a brother, John McDermott, and three sisters, Eileen Lynch, Sister Mary Gabrielle McDermott, SSJG and Sister Rita McDermott, SSJG.

A funeral Mass was held in the chapel of Immaculate Heart of Mary (Villa Maria) Convent in Buffalo, with burial in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.