Obituary of Miriam Gregory Yochum

Sister Miriam Gregory Yochum, beloved member of the Sisters of Charity and past principal of St. Mary's School in Wappingers Falls, went home to God on April 2, 2012 at Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers, NY. Sister Gregory (Agnes Yochum) was born on July 9, 1929, in New York City, one of three daughters born to Rudolph and Florence Diemar Yochum. Agnes attended St. Joseph School, Manhattan, and Cathedral High School before entering the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1946. Sister Gregory earned her BS and MA in English from Fordham University, and later earned New York State permanent teacher certification in English. Education was the focus of Sister Gregory's ministry assignments. Early in her professional life, she taught at St. Paul's School, Manhattan and later taught at St. Barnabas School, Bronx, before going on to teach English in high school at Holy Cross Academy, Manhattan. Her impact on education continued at St. Mary's School in Wappingers Falls where she served as principal from 1966 until 2000. Sister Gregory loved and cherished her St. Mary's family, and was certainly loved and cherished in return. She saw the education of youth as a challenging and exciting ministry and encouraged young people to join the profession that she loved. Her legacy lives on in all the students whose lives she touched, especially those she inspired to become teachers and school administrators. We rejoice with Sister Miriam Gregory as she meets her God face to face and enjoys eternal peace and happiness with God whom she served so well as a Sister of Charity. A Memorial Mass for Sister Gregory will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls on Friday, May 4, 2012, at 9:00 A.M. Following the Mass, there will be a reception in the school gym. Donations toward a playground to be built in honor of Sister Gregory may be made to St. Mary's School, 2 Convent Avenue, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Please write "playground fund" in the memo portion of the check. To send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.