Sister M. Frances Joseph Piazza, a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities for nearly 57 years, passed away on June 7, 2020, at the age of 86.

Born Jean Piazza on June 6, 1934, in Phillipsburg, N.J. to Joseph and Josephine Piazza, Italian Immigrants. Jean attended school at St. Phillip and St. James in Phillipsburg, operated by the Sisters of Mercy. Following graduation, she studied in a three-year program at Easton Hospital School of Nursing in Easton, Pa., and became a registered nurse. She went on for two years of graduate studies at McGill University in Montreal to teach student nurses. When returning home, she was on the staff at Easton Hospital in charge of pediatrics and taught maternal and child health to students in the nursing program.

Prior to entering religious life, Jean worked in the Pediatric Department at St. Clare's Hospital in New York City. She later worked in the operating room of Mount St. Mary's Hospital, Lewiston.

Jean entered the Sisters of St. Francis on Sep. 8, 1963, taking the name of Sister M. Frances Joseph and professed final vows on July 3, 1971. She completed her bachelor of science degree at NY Empire State College and later completed her New York State Nursing Home Administration Certificate at Cazenovia College, as well as becoming an accredited record technician.

Sister Frances Joseph's nursing experience continued in the convent with further education pursuits in health care serving at St. Mary's Manor as director of nursing, St. Francis Home as administrator, St. Francis Hospital as staff nurse, CCU nurse, in-service education director and director of medical records.

Starting in 1992, she served at St. Mary of the Angels as local minister and assistant to the infirmary supervisor.

Following her retirement in 2009 until the present, Sister Frances Joseph spent her days as a baby cuddler at the Sisters of Charity Hospital neonatal intensive care unit in Buffalo, a ministry she greatly loved.

Sister M. Frances Joseph is survived by her brother, James.

A private funeral Mass will be offered in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel, on Thursday, June 11.