Sister Michelle Dermody, Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, peacefully passed to eternal life on October 30, 2023 at Catherine’s Cottage, Donaldson, IN.
As the youngest of four children, Sr. Michelle was born in Hammond, IN and in her words, began her first roller coaster ride! Her parents, Michael V. Dermody and Mary Cecil O’Connor, brother Michael (Micky), her sisters Bernadette Hufford and Margaret (Peg) Johnson and brother-in-laws, Richard Hufford and Robert Johnson, as well as many Poor Handmaid Sisters preceded Sr. Michelle in death. Sr. Michelle is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Joan Dermody entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ on January 6, 1956, taking the name of Sr. Michelle. She professed vows on July 16, 1962.
With a focus on education, her ministry of teaching included schools in Indiana— Gary St. Mark’s, Mishawaka St. Monica’s, East Chicago St. Mary’s and in Chicago—St. Henry School. Her ministry expanded to include parish religious education and youth ministry at: St. Ansgar in Hanover Park, IL; St. Bavo in Mishawaka; St. Rosalie in Harwood Heights, IL; Faith, Hope and Charity in Winnetka, IL. St. Catherine in Wellingborough, England. After studying sign language at Gallaudet College for the Deaf, Sr. Michelle also served the deaf community at St. Augustine’s in Cleveland, OH. Residents and staff were also blessed with Sr. Michelle’s loving presence when she served at the Catherine Kasper Home as assistant coordinator.
Sr. Michelle loved sign language and saw it as an art form, as well as a means of communication. She often used it as a personal expression of her spirituality. She will be remembered for her Irish wit and humor, celebration of life, joyful perspective and the smiles she brought to everyone she met.
Because of Sr. Michelle’s wish to be cremated, there will not be a viewing. Because storytelling was so natural to Sister Michelle, her wake service will include telling of stories.
The wake and funeral will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Ancilla Domini Chapel, Donaldson, IN. Directions best through this address: 9601 Union Road, Plymouth, IN, 46563. All times are EST
Wake Service and Storytelling— Friday, November 3, 2023, 10:30 am
Mass of Christian Burial— Friday, November 3, 2023, 11:15 am
For those unable to attend in person, the Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at www.poorhandmaids.org/live.
Memorial contributions to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, P.O. Box #1, Donaldson, IN 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.
Barb Lowry says
Sister Michele, I loved everything about you – your wit, your sense of humor, your serious moments and your deep spirituality! I will miss you terribly, but please give my mama a big hug for me. Until we meet again, spread your humor around heaven!! So blessed to have had you as a friend. My sympathy to all the PHJC Sisters, Associates and your friends.
Barb Lowry
PHJC Associate
Andrew Sporner says
Sorry to hear about Sr. Michelle’s passing!
I first became aware of her when I was in 2nd grade at St. Michaels School in Plymouth. She was our religion teacher. During that year she would take us on a tour of the convent complex. She also made a comic comment to me after I “had my character built” just before she came in that lifted my spirits.
Years later I would run into her as an employee of the convent, where we went on a trip to pick up some donated computer equipment. It was an adventure to say the least.
Rest in Peace Sr. Michelle!
Holly Hufford Jones says
It was a joy just to be around her. She always had a smile and a kind word to share. Like so many others I have many happy “fun” memories. I believe we are all a little richer for having had her in our lives.
Holly and George Jones
Sally & Harold engel says
Sr Michelle, Harold & I became friends when she came to St.Ansgar in Hanover Park, a new community of young families and lots of kids. She became an Important part of our family sharing the death of both our mothers, the birth of our 2 youngest children, laughing, singing and dancing in our yearly musicals (her signature song “Second Hand Rose” and as Fruma Sarah from “Fiddler on the Roof”). Her love of children and sign language was so apparent when she directed “Music Machine” including all the children in the St. Ansgar family. The show ended with the children singing “You Light up my Life” and signing the words. Being her friend for the last 45 years has been a privilege. I learned so much from her, her sense of humor, dealing with life’s difficulties raising 5 children and enjoying life and not forgetting to be grateful for all our blessings. My condolences to her family. She dearly loved each and every one of you.You will be missed, my friend. I hope you knew how much I loved you and how much our friendship has made me a better person.
Anon says
We were able to come together today for the service of Sr. Michelle. We shared lovely stories and old pictures that will last a lifetime. May our Sister from the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ rest in peace. She has been weighing heavy on all our hearts these past few days as this is all very new to us. We thank her so much for serving the Lord as finely as she did 🙂 Missing you already Sr !