Obituary of Sister Beatrice Kellet

Sister of Christian Charity Beatrice Kellet passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham, New Jersey. Cecilia Lorraine Kellet was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on December 5, 1933, to William and Beatrice (Stopper) Kellet.

In September 1948 Cecilia entered a two-year Juniorate Program at the Motherhouse in Mendham, continued her Formation as a Candidate on June 9, 1950 and began her Novitiate on August 21, 1951, receiving the religious name Sister Beatrice. She professed her First Vows on August 21, 1953, and her Perpetual Vows on August 20, 1959.

Sister Beatrice attended Immaculate Conception School, Bastress, PA, and St. Boniface School, Williamsport, and graduated from Immaculata High School, Mendham. She earned her Diploma as a Registered Nurse from St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing, Newark, NJ.  Sister furthered her nursing studies, receiving her Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, MD, and her Master of Science from University of Maryland, College Park.

Although most of Sister’s active apostolate was spent in healthcare, she began her religious life as a teacher at Immaculate Conception School, Bronx, NY, followed by St. John, Scranton, PA, and St. Paul, Reading, PA. Upon completion of her nursing studies, she was a Registered Nurse at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, PA, and Divine Providence Hospital, Williamsport. In over 40 years of healthcare ministry, Sister Beatrice served as a Staff Nurse, Head Nurse, Critical Care Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Associate Director of Clinical Nursing Practice and Critical Care Educator. In later years, she coordinated the Medication Assistance Program for uninsured patients at Susquehanna Community Health and Dental Clinic and River Valley Health and Dental Center, both in Williamsport. Sister also served as Chair of the Sisters of Christian Charity Health Care Committee.    

In February 2011, Sister Beatrice retired to Holy Family Convent, Danville, PA, then was among the Sisters to move to the new Motherhouse in Mendham in May 2018, where she participated in a ministry of prayer and presence until her death.

Sister Beatrice is survived by the Sisters of Christian Charity, her sister-in-law, Joan Kellet, and an extended family of loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, James Kellet and Joseph Kellet and her sister-in-law, Lois Kellet.

Visitation will be held in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the Motherhouse in Mendham on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. with Vespers being prayed at 4:30 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 11 a.m., and will be livestreamed at sccus.org. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on the grounds of the Motherhouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Sister Beatrice Kellet to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, NJ, 07945, or at sccus.org/donate.