WATERTOWN, NY — Sister Marie Cordata Kelly died June 19, 2019, at Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY at the age of 80.
She was born, Janet Kelly in AuSable Forks, March 28, 1939, daughter of Bernard
Kelley and Messina Chasolen McDonald, Kelley, Kilburn.
She attended Holy Name Catholic School and graduated from AuSable Valley High School, AuSable Forks. She earned her BA degree in Education from SUNY Potsdam, NY, a MA Business Education and Office Supervision from the The Catholic University in Washington, DC and a MA degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure University, Allegheny, NY.
She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Feb. 10, 1957. She received the habit on August 18, 1957 and made Final Profession on Aug. 28, 1962.
She taught in the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Ogdensburg at St. Andrews
School, Norwood, NY, St. Mary’s School, Fort Covington, NY, St. Joseph the Worker, Mineville, NY, St. Mary’s School, Massena, NY, Immaculate Heart Central School, Watertown, Seton Catholic High School, Plattsburgh, NY. Sister Cordata was principal at Seton Catholic High School, Plattsburgh, NY and St. Mary’s School, Champlain, NY until the school closed in 2012.
Sister Cordata was assigned to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph to be the secretary to the Major Superior. She served on the Council of the Sisters of St. Joseph from 2013 to the present. She also served on the IHC Educational Council as a Board member. Sister Cordata was on the Diocese of Ogdensburg Planning Team for the 2016 Vocation Summit.
Sister Cordata is survived by her sisters-in-law Judy Kelley and Eileen Kelly, both from The Villages, FL and by nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents Bernard and Messina, she is predeceased by her sister Eleanor Kelly Wardell and brothers Bernard Kelly and William Kelley.
The funeral arrangements are as follows: Waking hours will be at the Sisters of St.
Joseph Motherhouse Chapel on Sunday, June 23 from 2:00-4:00 pm in the
afternoon and 7:00-9:00 pm in the evening.  The Wake Prayer Service will be at
7:00Â pm.
The funeral liturgy will be held at the Motherhouse Chapel on Monday, June 24 at 11:00 am. Bishop Terry R. LaValley will be the main celebrant. Rev. Donald Robinson will be the homilist. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.
Online condolences to her family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com.
Contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1425 Washington St.,
Watertown, NY 13601.
