Sister Joan Elizabeth Spalding, CSJ

Sister Joan Elizabeth Spalding, baptized Teresa Mary, was born in Hannibal, Missouri, to Glenn and Lyda Spalding. Teresa entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1948, and was received into the novitiate in 1949. Sister Joan earned a bachelor’s degree from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis in 1958 and a master’s degree in art from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana in 1963.

Sister Joan began her 33 years of service in education in 1951. She taught in elementary schools in St. Louis at Holy Rosary, St. Mary Magdalen, and St. Agnes, before moving out of St. Louis to Littleton, Colorado and to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1961, Sister Joan taught high school two times at Redemptorist High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and at Valle High School in St. Genevieve, MO. Then, she served for three years as Principal at Nativity of Our Lord School in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1971, Sister Joan moved to Hawaii. She spent the next 9 years teaching at St. Joseph Grade School in Waipahu; then she served as principal at St. Anthony’s Grade School for 2 years, returning to St. Joseph for 2 more years. In Hawaii, Sister Joan spent many happy hours working with the Carmelites with clay. She taught them to make bowls on the pottery wheel.

In 1984, Sister Joan returned to St. Louis, MO. In 1985, she opened a ceramic shop at the Carondelet Motherhouse in St. Louis. She spent her time making pottery to sell as well as teaching adults pottery and other arts and crafts.. Sister Joan retired in 2008.

Sister Joan currently resides at Nazareth Living Center. She enjoys connecting with her family and friends, listening to audio books, watching TV, and dabbling in watercolor paintings. Sister Joan continues faithfully to carry out her mission of prayer and presence.

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