Dominican Sister of Peace Joseph Leo Pietrowski, age 93, died April 11, 2026, at Sansbury Care Center. She was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and entered the Dominican Sisters Community in 1952.
A Dominican for more than 70 years, she ministered as a teacher in many schools, including parish schools in Puerto Rico, Chicago, Illinois; East Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts; Brooklyn, New York; and Kearney, Nebraska. Sr. Joseph held the position of administrative assistant for three leadership teams in Kentucky and Ohio. She was both a teacher and school treasurer at Bishop Fenwick School in Massachusetts, and volunteered as a relief person to the receptionist at New York’s Dominican Academy.
In 2018, Sr. Joseph moved to St. Catharine Motherhouse in Kentucky, where she provided various acts of community service. In 2023, she moved to Sansbury Care Center, where she began a ministry of prayer and presence.
During her funeral service in Sansbury Chapel, Sr. Teresa Tuite, OP, said, “I have no doubt that Joseph Leo was not long in heaven before she asked God, “What can I do to help? What do you want me to do?” Nothing was too small for her, and nothing was too great. Whether that was riding the mower to cut the grass …scrubbing toilets at the college, or teaching in schools from Puerto Rico and across the states, she made herself a servant and friend of the common good. She simply helped wherever she was needed.”
Dominican Sisters of Peace Prioress Pat Twohill wrote this about Sr. Joseph Leo, “One of Joseph Leo’s favorite hymns was the Dominican Magnificat. All who knew her can easily understand why and can imagine her now singing her own song of praise and blessing with the heavenly choir. Joseph Leo also loved to dance, and I am certain she is giving full expression to joyful movement in praise of God.”
Sr. Joseph Leo Pietrowski is survived by several nieces.
After Sr. Joseph’s Mass of Resurrection, she was buried at the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery.
Memorial gifts in our Sister’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219, or submitted securely by going here.