Dominican Sister of Peace Mary Justin (Sarah) Fadden, OP (95), went to her Lord on December 26, 2022, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, OH.
Sr. Mary Justin was born Sarah to Mary McDonnell and Thomas Fadden of Scranton, PA, on October 23, 1927. She worked for several years after high school and entered the Congregation in 1950. Sr. Justin made first profession in 1953 and took her final vows in 1956, living as Dominican religious for 66 years.
As a young girl, Sr. Justin was a tomboy, and delighted in telling stories of her exploits. She took that “I can do it” attitude to her service as a religious, and there was very little she could not accomplish once she put her mind to it.
Sr. Justin was called to minister to the many, many people who sought spiritual guidance, education, and peace at the Congregation’s retreat centers and residential homes, and served at retreat centers in Dayton, OH, and Elkins Park, PA, for sixteen years. She moved to New York City in 1966, where she ministered at a congregational home that provided safe and affordable housing for single women who worked in that city. She made many friends there and treasured those friendships deeply.
Returning to Elkins Park in 1980, Sr. Justin cared for retired and infirm Sisters at St. Catherine Hall, sharing her many talents and especially the gift of her time
When Sister Justin lived in our Oxford Motherhouse, she opened her heart and hands to serve the Sisters in her Community, particularly as a driver. She loved taking Sisters to medical appointments, shopping trips, and other excursions. Her community members described her as wise, generous, and a woman of common sense.
Sister Justin’s final ministry of prayer and presence at the Columbus Motherhouse allowed that community to share her many gifts. She was a wonderful storyteller, and had the unique ability to make her listener feel part of the story, especially when she talked about her childhood. She was also an enthusiastic fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, among other teams. Throughout her more than 60 decades of ministry, Sister Justin was a model of living a simple life, both in spirit and with the few possessions she kept.
Sr. Mary Justin was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Sarah McDonnell Fadden, her sisters Mary, Agnes and Helen Fadden and her brother Joseph Fadden. She is survived by nieces and nephews.
A wake and Vigil of Remembrance Service was held at the Columbus Motherhouse Chapel on January 5, 2023, and the funeral liturgy was held at the Columbus Motherhouse on January 6,2023. Sr. Mary Justin Fadden was laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Columbus, OH.
To donate in Sr. Justin’s memory, please click here.
To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Marie Melnick’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.