Obituary of Sister Carol Ann Beairsto

Sister Carol A. Beairsto, RGS, 80, of Wickatunk, passed away peacefully after a long illness on April 20, 2017 at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ. She was born in Middletown, NY, the twelfth and youngest child of Mary Neville and Joseph Ambrose Beairsto. A strong, Irish-Catholic family, she was educated by the New Rochelle Ursuline Sisters at St. Joseph's parish school and the Ursuline Academy. Sr. Carol graduated from St. John's High School in Goshen, N.Y. in 1954, and entered the Good Shepherd Sisters in Peekskill, N.Y. on February 27,1955. Having read about the Good Shepherd ministry to adolescent girls, Carol felt called to that Community. She asked for, and was given the name, Sr. Mary of St. Robert to honor her sixth grade teacher and lifelong friend, Mother Robert Marie, OSU. Upon entrance, Sr. Carol began study at Fordham University, earning a B.S. degree in Education. She also studied Spanish, a language that would take her around the world to teach English to Good Shepherd Sisters in the Spanish-speaking countries where her Sisters ministered. Sr. Carol made temporary vows on August 28, 1957 and Final Profession on September 3, 1960. After Profession, Sister Carol continued her studies at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ part time, while ministering at Collier Youth Services in Wickatunk, N.J., originally as a teacher of Spanish, then as the school principal, and eventually as executive director. She received a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Seton Hall University in 1964. Sr. Carol subsequently went on to receive a Certificate of Advanced Educational Studies at Boston College, Boston, MA in Special Education in 1973. In 1994, Sr. Carol received a Masters Degree in Applied Theology from the School of Applied Theology at the University of California, Berkeley. In spite of her attendance at these colleges, she would remain a die-hard Notre Dame fan! (New York Yankees and Giants, also!!) Following her role as Executive Director of Collier Youth Services, Sr. Carol served as Assistant Provincial for six years in Jamaica, Queens and then went on to teach English to Good Shepherd Sisters in Spain, and Central and South America. She also initiated many new programs, including the Sisters Academy (with Sr. Carol Henry, RSM) in Asbury Park, NJ and Brooklyn Jesuit Prep with the Jesuits in Brooklyn, NY. Through her ministry as an educator and leader, Sr. Carol touched thousands of young lives giving each a new chance to grow and hope. Sr. Carol is survived by her two brothers, Alfred E. Beairsto of Middletown, N.Y. and James P. Beairsto and his wife, Nancy, of Calabash, NC, and her sister, Sr. Joan Beairsto, O.P. of Sparkill, NY. Additionally, three sisters-in-law survive Sr. Carol - Irene M. Beairsto, of Marlboro, MA, Lois L. Beairsto, of Clearwater, FL, and Phyllis C. Beairsto, of Cave Creek, AZ. Very importantly, Sister Carol is survived by all of her Religious Sisters of the Good Shepherd throughout the world. Sr. Carol is survived by fifty-four wonderfully special nieces and nephews and more grand-nieces and grand-nephews - all of whom she knew and loved very much, and for whom she prayed endlessly. She is predeceased by her parents, Mary and Joseph, her sisters, Patricia N. Stivers, Virginia M. Hibbert, and E. Elizabeth Beairsto, and her brothers Joseph N., John W., David F., Thomas N., and Robert J. Beairsto. Also, Sr. Carol is predeceased by her two brothers-in-law, Moses D. Stivers and Alfred J. Hibbert. Deceased sisters-in law are Jane H. Beairsto, Suzanne and Rose Beairsto, and Mary D. Beairsto. Additionally, she is predeceased by nieces and nephews, including Mary Eileen Beairsto, Sarah J. Hibbert, Robert J. Beairsto, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews Molly and Elizabeth Allen, and Craig M. Meyer. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd are extremely grateful to the many friends and professionals who accompanied Sr. Carol during her long illness with MSA Parkinsons. She had an incredible spirit throughout and continued to live each day fully despite her physical challenges. A special thanks to Dr. Marianne Roosels, Red Bank, NJ, Dr. Rivka Sachdev, Neurologist at Beth Israel, NYC, The Christian Brothers and staff at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ and her medical assistant, Judy Sulewski, personal aides Addie Jones and Mercy Oppong and social worker and nurse, Liz and Diane from Griswold Home Care and personal aide, Justine McKenzie. A very special thank you to Fr. Ron Cioffi who was a faithful friend and spiritual companion to Sr. Carol throughout her long journey living with MSA Parkinsons. Friends and family are invited to attend her visitation on Friday, April 28th from 3-7 PM, at the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Convent Chapel, Morganville. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Clements Church in Matawan, NJ on Saturday April 29th at 2pm. Interment will follow at the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Rest Hill Cemetery, Morganville. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Collier Youth Services, 160 Conover Road, Wickatunk, NJ 07765.