+Sister Mary Christine Ford, OP

Sister Mary Christine Ford, OP, a member of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, NJ, for 21 years, entered into eternal life on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Mountainside Medical Center, Montclair, NJ. Sister Mary Christine was 80 years of age.  

On Friday, February 14, 2025, a wake and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated at Saint Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. The livestream of the Mass can be viewed here.

Sister Mary Christine, the daughter of George and Essie Mae (Morrison) Ford, was born in Newark, NJ.  She was a woman of deep faith, gentle spirit, determination and compassion. Sister entered the Dominican Nuns of the Monastery of Saint Dominic in Newark on September 8, 1964.  Sister made solemn vows in 1970. While at the monastery, Sister Mary Christine served the congregation as its infirmarian and later as sub-prioress and prioress.  In 2004, she shouldered the monumental task of closing the monastery, an oasis of solitude for 121 years, because of the declining number of nuns.

With the monastery’s closure, Sister Mary Christine left her contemplative manner of living and embraced the active lifestyle of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, bringing her healthcare experience to Saint Catherine Healthcare Center where she provided assistance to sisters who were infirm.  She made final profession on December 15, 2007.  

Sister Mary Christine began working at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Paterson, in 2007 as a patient representative.  Later, she worked as a chaplain in the pastoral care department at St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center until her retirement in 2020, receiving high praise from other personnel and patients.  Sister had a limitless capacity for listening, which made her an exceptional healthcare minister, a quality which she continued to share with her sisters at Saint Catherine of Siena Convent in Caldwell.

Sister Mary Christine was predeceased by her parents, George and Essie Mae Ford.  She is survived by her sister, Christine Ford, her brother, Jerry Steele, sister-in-law Yvonne Steele, niece Michele Steele and her loving Sisters of Saint Dominic.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of Saint Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated.

Condolences, memories and photos may be left at www.proutfuneralhome.com.