Sr. Judy Soares, R.S.M., 47, of Pawtucket, RI died Wednesday July 3, 2002 unexpectedly at Miriam Hospital in Providence. She was the daughter of Julia (Gomes) Soares of New Bedford and the late James A. Soares.
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Queens, she lived in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island for many years.
Sister Judy had been a community outreach worker for Amos House in Providence since 1989. She was an active advocate for the needs of poor people especially those who are homeless. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1985 and professed her final vows on March 6, 1999.
Sister Judy served as an adjunct instructor at Providence College and was on the Field Advisory Board of the Department of Social Work at Salve Regina University. She was a Past President of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. She was a member of the Black Sisters Conference, the Justice Committee of Mercy Consolidated Assets Management Program, Inc., and the Steering Committee for the 2005 Chapter of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She was a graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts University. She was active in Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford and the Emmaus Retreat Program.
Survivors include her mother; a brother, James Soares, Jr. of Flushing, NY; a sister, Jody Soares of Flushing, NY; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordSaturday July 6, 2002 at 8 AM.Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 47 South Sixth St., New Bedford at 9 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 15 Highland View Rd., Cumberland, RI 02864.