Sister of St. Joseph Marie Michelle Peartree, who ministered in education and health care, died Nov. 15, 2022. She was 97 years old.
Sister Peartree entered the congregation in 1942 from her home parish of Sacred Heart, Rochester. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1950 and a master’s degree in elementary education in 1956, both from Nazareth College.
In 1945, she was assigned to teach at St. Patrick, Corning. She also taught at Blessed Sacrament, Rochester; St. Mary, Auburn; St. James, Waverly; and St. John the Evangelist, Greece. While teaching, she served as principal at St. James and St. John.
In 1964, Sister Peartree earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from St. Louis University and was assigned as administrator at St. Ann’s Home in Rochester. She worked for the next 33 years in health care for the elderly, serving as president for the American Association of Homes for the Aging in 1982. Sister Peartree was president of St. Ann’s Home and the Heritage from 1985-97.
After her retirement from St. Ann’s Home, Sister Peartree volunteered in the Lifespan Elder Abuse Program, as well as at St. Martin’s Place, providing meals for the homeless in Rochester. She moved to the motherhouse in 2017, where she continued to volunteer her services wherever the need arose.
Sister Peartree is survived by her nieces and nephews; friends; and her sisters in the congregation.
Her funeral liturgy was celebrated in the motherhouse chapel Nov. 19, 2022, with burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Nov. 21, 2022.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Fund at www.ssjrochester.org or by mailing Dawn Gruba at 150 French Road, Rochester NY 14618.
