Caldwell Obituary: Sister Agnes Bernard Duggan

Agnes Bernard Duggan, a longtime Caldwell resident and contributor to the religious community, died on Saturday, Aug. 1.

She was 91.

The following obituary and photo come courtesy of Prout Funeral Home in Verona:

Sr. M. Agnes Bernard Duggan, OP, died on Saturday, August 1, 2015 in St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell, NJ. She was 91.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine of Siena Convent Chapel, 7 Ryerson Avenue, (Mt. St. Dominic) Caldwell on Wednesday, August 5 at 10:30am. Visiting in St. Catherine of Siena Convent on Tuesday from 2 to 8 pm

Born in Jersey City, Sister entered the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell on August 30, 1942 and professed vows on September 2, 1944.

Sister Agnes Bernard has a BA in French from Caldwell College, a MA in Education & Psychology from Fordham University, a MA in Divinity from Immaculate Conception Seminary and completed post-graduate work in Theology and Scripture at Columbia University.

She also has a Certificate in Video from Suburban Cablevision.

Sister taught at St. Elizabeth School in Linden, Mt. St. Dominic in Caldwell and St. Mary School in Rutherford.

From 1963 to 1976 Sr. Agnes Bernard served on the faculty of Caldwell College where she taught French, Education, Psychology, served as Chair of the Psychology Department, Prefect of Boarders and in the Guidance Department.

In 1977 Sister became the Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate for St. Thomas More Parish in Fairfield and was the Producer of many TV / Media Presentations.

Additionally, Sister served as Councilor on Formation for the Sisters of St. Dominic, Vice President of the Sisters Assembly for the Archdiocese of Newark, a member of the Adult Education Advisory Board of the Archdiocese, a Trustee of Caldwell College and Director / Co-Founder of the Institute of Religious Formation in Biblical & Theological Studies.

Sister is predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Dorothy (nee Broedel) Duggan, her sister, Dorothy Spillane, her brothers, Joseph, James, Francis and Paul. Her surviving family includes her Sisters of Saint Dominic, her nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews as well as her very faithful friends from St. Thomas More Parish in Fairfield, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of St. Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell NJ 07006 would be appreciated.

Send Caldwell area news to eric.kiefer@patch.com