Sister Christine Ruth Stevenson, OSC died on November 4, 2022 at the age of 79. She was born on March 3, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY and was the only child of Thomas and Ruth (Anderson) Stevenson. An active Poor Clare Sister, Sister Christine entered the Franciscan Sisters of Joy in 1999 and made her final vows in 2002.
Sister Christine studied mechanical engineering and addictions counseling at Rutgers University and received certifications in developmental disabilities from Seton Hall University and the University of Michigan/Lansing. After working for AT&T as a mechanical engineer for 22 years, she felt called to serve God’s poor. She moved to Shreveport, LA and worked as the Director of a Women’s and Men’s Shelter and Samaritan House Soup Kitchen for 2 years. She then accepted a position at Catholic Charities in the diocese of Patterson, NJ for 11 years as Director of a Group Home for developmentally disabled adults. At the same time, she founded the Upper Room Catholic Worker House in Passaic Park, NJ and provided shelter for street women struggling with addition and recovery. When she retired from Catholic Charities, she moved to Omaha, NE and worked as the Director of Social Services for Project Welcome Sudanese Refugee Community. While there, the Sudanese women affectionately referred to her as “Momma Chris.”
Sister Christine is survived by the Franciscan Sisters of Joy who will miss her loving wisdom, tender heart, and fidelity to serving God’s poor. According to her wishes, she will have a “no fuss” private service and would graciously appreciate prayer from all those who lovingly remember her. The Franciscan Sisters of Joy would like to thank all those at the Kavanagh Hospice House who took such generous and loving care of Sister Chris during the final months of her life as well as Sister Chris’s many friends who were so steadfastly faithful to her. Memorials in her honor can be sent to All Saints Catholic School, 1335 South 10th St., Omaha, NE 68108.