BELMONT — It is with heartfelt sadness and deep gratitude for her life that the Sisters of Mercy announce the passing of Sister Maureen Dees on Dec. 8, 2025. Professed with the Sisters of Mercy for 80 years, Sister Maureen dedicated her life to faith, education and service and touched countless lives with her kindness, humor and unwavering commitment to others.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Sacred Heart Convent, Cardinal Gibbons Chapel, 103 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. Viewing will be held before Mass, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. After Mass, all are invited to lunch followed by a procession at 2 p.m. to Belmont Abbey Cemetery, where Sister Maureen will be laid to rest.
The funeral Mass will be livestreamed here.
Sister Maureen was born Odessa Frances Dees on Aug. 25, 1925, in France, beginning a journey marked by both hardship and grace. She was adopted by James Frank Dees and Minnie Dees of North Carolina, and their hope was to have a long and happy life together. However, in 1930 her mother passed away and due to her father’s inability to care for her, she was placed at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh.
Her passion for service and learning led her to earn a bachelor’s degree from Belmont Abbey College. In 1945, she answered the call to religious life and joined the Sisters of Mercy, beginning a lifetime of service rooted in compassion and faith.
Sister Maureen’s vocation as an educator spanned several communities. She taught in many Catholic elementary schools throughout the dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh, most notably Sacred Heart in Salisbury. Her dedication to her students extended beyond academics, as she inspired hope, curiosity and spiritual growth in every classroom she entered.
Later in her ministry, Sister Maureen brought her caring spirit to Guam, where she volunteered for two years as a social worker and nursery worker, uplifting children and families with her gentle presence and practical support.
Upon her retirement, Sister Maureen remained active in service. She volunteered at Catherine’s House in Belmont and supported her fellow Sisters of Mercy. Her commitment to helping others never waned, embodying her life’s motto: “All for Jesus through Mary.”
Sister Maureen was known for her joyful humor, quick wit and warm, welcoming smile. She found peace and delight in fishing and cherished moments spent at the beach. Her laughter and compassionate heart left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
SYRACUSE, New York — Father Jude Thaddeus DeAngelo, OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, died Nov.18, 2025, in Syracuse.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at Assumption Church, 812 N. Salina St., Syracuse N.Y. 13208, with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also take place on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Assumption at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery in Syracuse. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Facebook at http://facebook.com/assumptionsyr and YouTube at http://youtube.com/assumptionsyr.
Born in Binghamton on Jan. 10, 1957, he was son of the late Anthony and Nancy (née Guerriero) DeAngelo.
After graduating from Catholic Center High School, he began formation with the Conventual Franciscans, entering the novitiate in 1976 and professing simple vows on Aug. 14, 1977. He then studied at St. Hyacinth College Seminary in Granby, Massachusetts, before making his solemn profession of vows on Aug. 10, 1980. After earning his M.Div. from St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, New York, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1984, in Albany.
Father Jude spent his first few months of ministry at St. Peter Parish in Riverside, New Jersey, before becoming a teacher at the former McCorristin High School in Trenton, where he ministered until 1991. He then returned to St. Peter’s in Riverside, where he served as pastor until 1994, when he was elected as Vicar Provincial and Secretary of the former Immaculate Conception Province, residing in Rensselaer. After completing his term in provincial administration, Father Jude served for one year as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
In 1997, Father Jude commenced 25 years of service and sacrifice as a campus minister, first at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem (1997-2010) and then at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (2010-2022). His gentle compassion, tireless effort, quick wit and Franciscan witness helped evangelize and form two generations of young people in their journeys of faith. Father Jude spent his final years in Syracuse, serving as pastor of Assumption Parish.
He is survived by his seven siblings: Nancy, Gregory, Elizabeth, Anthony, Ronald, Jan and Randy; as well as an abundance of devoted nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
— Catholic News Herald