PHOTOS: Sister Joan Nelson celebrates her 100th birthday at Stella Niagara

Sister Joan Nelson celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 20, with her Franciscan sisters, students of Stella Niagara Education Park, family and employees of Stella Niagara.

The school celebrated by singing “Happy Birthday” to Sister Joan while the youngest students, twin sisters Madeline and Josephine, presented cards made by the students with their prayer partners, twin sisters Emily and Sophie. In a small twist of fate, Oct. 20 was also Emily and Sophie’s birthday, and they are the oldest students at the school.

Born in Pennsylvania, Sister Joan has been a Sister of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Stella Niagara, for 79 years! Sister Joan was an elementary school teacher in New Jersey, New York, Ohio and West Virginia, and she served in various departments at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls preparatory academy founded by the Sisters of St. Francis.

With a welcoming smile, Sister Joan is known as a good sport, participating in recreational activities at the Health Center at Stella Niagara, including being selected as Peach Queen and May Queen! Sister Joan always has a smile on her face and is eager to share with others. She loves enjoying sweets – especially chocolate cake – playing bingo, spending time with her family and helping others.

Happy birthday, Sister Joan! (Submitted by Stella Niagara Education Park)

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