Sister Mary Estella Perkins, Snd

Sister Mary Estella Perkins died at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania on the morning of May 29, the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. How fitting this date for a Sister who revered the Holy Name of Mary. Like Mary, Sister Mary Estella was ready to fulfill God’s will during her 94 years of life including nearly 75 years of religious life.
Born on September 6, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio, Joan was the fourth child born to Frank and Stella (Geoffrion) Perkins. Her childhood was spent with three brothers and four sisters attending St. Louis School. Their mother died when Joan was only ten years old. Joan attended Notre Dame Academy as an aspirant graduating in 1946.
Sister vowed her life to God with the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1948. Soon after her profession she spent eight years teaching grades two and three in Catholic schools in Toledo. Then began over 50 years in community service at the Notre Dame Provincial House on Secor Road, Toledo; at Lial convent in Whitehouse; and at St. John, Delphos.
In 2015 Sister became a resident at the Ursuline Center in Toledo and then in 2021 at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio. Whether in service or retirement Sister was an avid reader, who often clipped interesting articles to share. When visitors did not find Sister in her room, they knew her favorite spots were in the library and outdoors. Sister’s contagious chuckling and twinkling eyes let you know she was up to something. Her amusing stubborn streak could easily be coaxed with her favorite treats. For these treats and any small kindness Sister was quick to thank. In her prayer-filled retirement years Sister faithfully prayed the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet on EWTN.
Sister is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings--brothers Francis and John, and sisters Theresa Lazette, Mary Schlachter, and Helen Chesney. Sister is survived by her sister Loretta Roehrich and brother Donald Perkins. She will be greatly missed by her relatives and her religious community.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 5, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. with the eulogy at 4:15 and funeral liturgy at 4:30 p.m. at The Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 5900 Davis Road, Whitehouse, Ohio. Livestreaming is available. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 5725 Hill Avenue, Toledo at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6. Tributes may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame at 1656 Henthorn Drive, Suite 200, Maumee, OH 43537. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sister Mary Estella Perkins, Snd, please visit our flower store.