Sister Marie Joy played the guitar as well as the piano. Here she performs with Sisters from a number of congregations at a performance. Sister Marie Joy is seventh from the left to the left of the music stand.
Music has always been important in Sister Marie Joy’s life. Both parents were musicians who first taught her to play the piano at the age of five. Her piano studies continued with more teachers. When she was about to enter the seventh grade her family moved to Taylor Township in Wayne County. There she attended St. Alfred school and was taught by Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters. Sister Rene taught her to play the organ and in one week’s time she was playing for Mass.
After eighth grade graduation, she kept in contact with the Sisters by playing the organ for the children’s choir on Sundays. In 1957, she joined the community of the Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids.
Sr. Marie Joy taught music at Interlochen National Music Camp, now called Interlochen Fine Arts Center.
Delighting in music and worship, Sister Marie Joy sought to deepen her musical gift with a Bachelors in Music Education and a Masters in Religious Education from Aquinas College, and then a Masters in Music Education from Michigan State University. Composer, performer, and instructor, Sr. Marie Joy’s students delighted in their teacher’s joyful presence and enthusiasm for developing their own musical talents. We celebrate you on this 60th Jubilee of vowed religious life, Sister Marie Joy.
Sr. Marie Joy sang in the choir at St. Stephen School in Grand Rapids, where she also taught. Sr. Marie Joy is second from the left.
Sister Marie Joy playing the organ for Sisters at Aquinata Hall in Grand Rapids.
