Obituary of Sister M. Joan Melei, O.Carm.

Sister M. Joan (Daisy) Melei, O. Carm., 82, of Washington, D.C., died on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 at the Carroll Nursing Home in Washington, D.C. Sr. Joan was born on November 10, 1925 in Beverly as Daisy Melei, daughter of the late Samuel F. and Rose (Farina) Melei. Sr. Joan was a graduate of Beverly High School and Merrimack College. Sr. Joan worked for the New England Telephone Company and was a Third Order Carmelite before she entered the Institute of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in October of 1954. She celebrated her First Profession in July of 1956 and her Perpetual Profession in August of 1962. In her ministry, Sr. Joan taught elementary school and later was a founding sister of the Holy Childhood Nursery and Kindergarten in Peabody in September of 1969 where she taught preschool and became director. She helped in various parishes with Religious Education and preparing children for First Communion and also assisted the Carmelite Priests with their retreat work. In August of 1999, she retired to the community of Carmelite Sisters in Washington, D.C. Surviving Sr. Joan is her religious community and her brother, Rudolph V. Melei of Florida. She is the sister of the late Frankie and Samuel Melei; Madeline Melei, Violet Melei and Della (Melei) Ball; also survived by many nieces and nephews and many beloved friends. Sr. Joan’s funeral will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral home, 82 Lynn St., (new location) Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beverly. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Childhood Preschool, 5 Wheatland Street, Peabody, MA 01960.