Sister Mary Joan Gray Walker

Sr. Mary Joan Walker of All Saints 73 died November 1stin the forty-fourth year of her Profession after a five-year battle with cancer.  The oldest daughter of Marshall and Mary Walker, she was born on September 20, 1947 in Shreveport Louisiana.  Prior to entering Religious Life, Sr. Mary Joan served in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1974.

As a Religious, she served at various times as Sacristan and Guest Mistress at the Convent and as Sister in Charge of St. Gabriel’s Retreat House and worked at St. Anna’s in Philadelphia.  For many years she oversaw the Fellowship program and made a real effort to keep in contact with every member.  She had a keen interest in history and latterly served as the Community archivist.  Her creativity manifested itself in the written meditations and retreats she gave at our Retreat House and in Parishes, as well as, in her ability to tell a good story.  A lover of nature and of all creatures great and small, she tended to the Community fish and was known to Bennie, our black cat, as “Mom”.

Sister Mary Joan leaves behind her sister Virginia Walker, cousins John Walker and Frances Walker in addition to many other relatives and friends.