Sister Joanne Toohey

I give thanks for wonderful years as a Grand Rapids Dominican Sister.

I mostly appreciate the wonderful educational opportunities I have been given, especially in the study of Scripture.

I am grateful for the love and support of my family over the years, for the friendship, love and encouragement of so many sisters with whom I have lived or have become good friends. What a wonderful family!

In December 1937, my life journey began as the oldest of four children born to Naomi and John Toohey in Essexville, Michigan.

The beginning of my educational experience was at St. John Evangelist school where I had the Dominican Sisters for twelve years. Their influence and care brought me to Marywood in September 1955.

After three years of formation and education at Aquinas College, I taught middle grades for nineteen years from Beaver Island to Rancho de Taos, New Mexico and many points in between.

A highlight of these years was the summers spent on the grounds of St. Paul Seminary enriching my life with Theology and Scripture classes.

In 1978, I was invited to become the Pastoral Minister at Guardian Angels parish in Manistee, Michigan. This was the beginning of thirty years of ministering in parishes where I touched so many lives and so many lives touched mine, especially the senior members of the parish.

The thread that weaves through all these years was the enthusiastic groups that were eager to enrich their lives and faith with the Scriptures.

In thanksgiving to the Community for all the opportunities that have enriched my many years of ministry among God’s beautiful people.