Sister Joan Marie Buda (Professed 1956)
Joan Buda was the youngest of five children born to John and Mary (Galayda) Buda in Cleveland, Ohio. She recognized the many gifts her parents passed on to her: deep faith in God, appreciation of their Slovak heritage and culture, and a life-long love of nature. She shared her dad’s enjoyment of fishing, as well as summer blackberry picking. From her mother, “a gracious, gentle woman,” she learned the art of needlework, baking, and how to tend the garden, especially the beautiful roses that were her mother’s favorites. After graduating from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School, Joan attended St. Michael High School, where she first met the Sisters of Notre Dame. She thoroughly enjoyed the classes and activities, and by her senior year, earlier thoughts of a religious vocation led to a prayerful decision. Joan became a postulant in 1953, and at investment, received the name Sister Mary John Raymond.
Sister Joan Marie was sent to teach Grade 5 at St. Mary’s Warren in 1957, the beginning of 45 years of educational ministry. She earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from St. John College, Cleveland. Adaptability to new places and a variety of grade levels were all part of the journey. She taught intermediate and junior high students in both rural and urban settings, from Massillon, Randolph, and Canal Fulton to St. Boniface, St. Benedict, and St. Mark, Cleveland. Sister Joan Marie used her technology skills as a computer teacher, and shared her artistic talents as an art instructor at Metro Catholic School, Cleveland.
In 2002, Sister came to the provincial center in Chardon, first working in the finance department and then in community services. In 2015, she embraced the ministry of prayer, presence, and praise with characteristic enthusiasm and attention. A prayer corner in her room featured a large rosary, special prayer books, and photos of the people and places that were so dear to her. She participated in a full schedule of community activities. Whether visiting with her beloved family or having coffee with the sisters, she had an interesting story or topic of conversation to engage the interest of others. The last sentence of her chapel tile reflection expresses grateful praise: “For all that has made me the SND that I am, I say Thank you, Father—Amen! Alleluia!”
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 30, at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. -10:15 a.m. Mass will be live-streamed: https://boxcast.tv/channel/oy4qb7ildieu6vtwyicy
To make a gift in memory of Sr. Joan Marie Buda, please click here.