Sister Imelda King entered the Dominican Sisters of the Sick Poor in February 2, 1943. I followed her two weeks later. That was when our friendship began. Although we lived together only once during our religious life, the bond of friendship deepened through the years.

Sister Imelda completed her high school at Mount Saint Ursula Academy in the Bronx. She received her nurse’s training at St. Catherine School of Nursing in Brooklyn. She later received her BS in Nursing from Boston College.

A warm, compassionate nurse, Sister Imelda spent many years on the missions. Eventually she was asked if she would come to our Newburgh infirmary as there was a need for a nurse. Sister Imelda accepted the invitation and became the night nurse in Residential Care. It was there that many sisters got to know her. She exhibited care, concern and compassion toward the sisters for many years, and worked closely with Sister Marie Gerard and Sister Hugh James. While serving in the infirmary, Sister Imelda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She retired from nursing, but her desire to serve and her concern for the poor moved her to volunteer at St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen and the Newburgh Ministry.

Over the years that followed Sister Imelda’s acceptance of the progressively debilitating disease was an example of heroic, patient suffering. She was an example to all who visited her. Her peaceful presence and endearing smile made it easy to know her. A deep thinker, she was a lover of study, and she was ever grateful for her life and for the care that she received in Siena Hall. She always kept attuned to what was going on in the community, even though she could not participate fully. She never thought of herself. Sister Marie Gerard told me that when Imelda received a sizeable donation, she asked her to use the money to buy something for the sisters in the infirmary because she didn’t need anything.

As I say goodbye to a very dear friend I will say, “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the Kingdom prepared for you.”

Sister Brigid Penney, OP

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