Sr. Jean Marie Vianney Chiovitti

   Sister Jean Marie Vianney Chiovitti died at Samaritan Summit Village January 29, 2026 at the age of 105. She was born Mae Joan Chiovitti, daughter of Liberato and Nicolina Pichielli Chiovitti, on October 17, 1920, in Toronto, Canada. Sister Jean Marie was educated in Toronto, Canada.

   It was while reading Father Daniel Lord’s article for youth in the Sunday Visitor, that Sister became intrigued with the ad for the Watertown Sisters of St. Joseph. The ad included their different ministries, and their work at St. Patrick’s Children’s Home struck her as being a real need.

   Sister Jean Marie entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 4, 1940.   She received the habit on August 25, 1940, and made Final Profession on August 27, 1945.  She received her education from Mater Dei College, Ogdensburg, NY, Nazareth College Normal School, Rochester, NY and further studied Pastoral Training at the Toronto School of Theology of Toronto.

   Sister Jean Marie spent nineteen years at St. Patrick’s Home, taking care of 50-60 boys ages 2-16, and at the same time taught in the Watertown Catholic Schools. These were the days when class sizes were in the 40’s and even 50’s. For a few years Sister Jean Marie was principal, teacher and superior at St. Mary’s School in Ticonderoga and St. Joseph’s School in Malone. She also taught in Dannemora, Massena, and Gouverneur. For many years, Sister Jean Marie taught Vacation Bible School throughout the Diocese of Ogdensburg during the summer months.

   In 2000, when Sister Jean Marie celebrated her 60th Jubilee, nearly 100 former residents of St. Patrick’s Children’s Home attended. Sister celebrated her 75th Jubilee in 2015. In 2025 Sister celebrated her 85th Jubilee.

   During her retirement, Sister Jean Marie had volunteered time to Whispering Pines and Samaritan Keep Nursing Homes, and driven Sisters to appointments. She continued to be active on the computer using e-mail to her family, former students, and former residents of St. Patrick’s Home. .   

   Sister is survived by her nephew Joseph Monaco, Mississauga, Ontario and her nieces Valerie Nunn of Waterloo, Ontario and Corinne Malloy, Lindsay, Ontario.

   Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her brothers Norman, Carl, and Michael; and her sisters Anne Monaco, Clara Mauro, Sally Nunn and Elizabeth Leo.

   Funeral arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc.  Waking hours will be at St. Anthony’s Church on February 3 from 10:00 am-11:00 am.   The funeral liturgy will be held at St. Anthony’s Church on February 3 at 11:00 and Rev. John Demo will be the celebrant and Fr. Don Robinson will be the homilist.

   Contributions in Sister Jean Marie’s memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 866 Arsenal St., Watertown, NY 13601. Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed at St. Patrick’s Church or Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church Watertown Facebook pages.

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