Sister Joycelin Staempfli, MSC

Sr. Joycelin Staempfli, MSC was born, January 26, 1938 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Frank Staempfli, Sr. and Dorothy Willem. She enjoyed family life with her brother, Frank, Jr. and sisters, Madeleine and Inez. Joycelin entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in New Orleans on September 8, 1957, a few years after graduating from the Academy of Holy Angels. She pronounced her perpetual vows on August 5, 1963. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, a Master of Arts at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas and Masters in Mathematics from Loyola University. An outstanding teacher, Joycelin taught in Elementary and High Schools in Franklin, Port Allen, New Orleans and Plaquemine, Louisiana. She also served as a principal at Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin. From 1970 until 1982, Sister taught Mathematics at St. John Vianney Preparatory School for candidates of the New Orleans Archdiocesan Seminary. Over the next six years, Sr. Joycelin served her Marianites sisters in various positions: Treasurer, Temporary Professed Directress, and a member of the Provincial Administrative Team. In 1988, Sr. Joycelin accepted the position of Director of Finances for Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and remained in that position until 2002. After a sabbatical she assumed the role of Chief Administrator Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Church Parish in Mandeville.

Sr. Joycelin was instrumental in the development of Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Facility where she served as a board member for several years. In her active ministry she assisted the financial offices at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington. Joycelin touched the lives of many students, parents, seminarians, priests and sisters. Sr. Joycelin taught and worked with several seminarians/ priests who have now been installed as Bishops (Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Bishop Robert Muench, Archbishop Tom Rodi, Abbot Justin Brown, and Archbishop John Favalora.) In “retirement” Joycelin continued her services in volunteer efforts. She devoted many hours at the Samaritan Center in Mandeville where those in need of clothing, food, and financial assistance were nurtured and empowered. She used her skills in the organization of projects and fundraising. With more to give, Sr. Joycelin became as member of and participated in the Our Lady of the Lake Parish Ladies’ Altar Society and other parish activities.

Sr. Joycelin loved traveling and the most memorable was the trip to the Vatican for Archbishop Gregory Aymond’s installation. The audience with Pope Benedict XVI was a highlight of the celebration and an unforgettable experience.

Joycelin was a resident at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center in New Orleans taking part in a number of activities and sharing her spirit of joy with many of the residents and staff.

Sr. Joycelin died on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, after a brief stay in the hospital. The Lord called her at approximately 5:30 a.m. that morning just in time to celebrate the Resurrection Sunrise Service as He rose in glory.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Frank Staempfli, Sr. and, Dorothy Willem. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Frank Staempfli, Jr. and her sister Madeline Faust. She is survived by her sister, Inez Porte Sampere, her brother-in-law, Frank Sampere and beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

Marianites, Family, Clergy, and Friends gathered to celebrate Sr. Joycelin’s life in the same week as her 60th Jubilee as a member of the Marianites of Holy Cross. On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, a Liturgy was concelebrated in the Chapel of Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center by three bishops and several priests. Sister Joycelin Staempfli, MSC was laid in her final resting place in the Marianite Mausoleum. Sister Owen, a long time faithful friend, commented that on the day of her burial that Joycelin was buried in her jubilee outfit which she would have worn during her sixtieth jubilee and looked really great in it.

Joycelin, may you rest in peace knowing that you were a good, loving, and faithful servant and most of all a loving sister.