Sister M. Joyce Kavanagh, RSM died on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Mercy Health Care Center in Watchung, New Jersey. Sister Joyce was born in the Bronx, New York on June 22, 1932 to Francis and Jane Balfe Kavanagh. In addition to her parents, Joyce is predeceased by her sisters Ellen and Jean and her brother Thomas. She is survived by her loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Joyce entered the Sisters of Mercy in Tarrytown, NY on August 12, 1950. She made her perpetual profession in 1956 and chose as her motto "Only Thyself, O Lord." She was a dedicated elementary school teacher in the Archdiocese of New York from 1956 -1981. She then served in several parishes as the Religious Education Coordinator and then in Adult Education. Sister Joyce moved to Whitestone, NY in 2014 where she enjoyed meeting many new sisters and entered into her new community. Joyce will be remembered as a quiet, prayerful woman who in her later years became active in many justice initiatives. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, 515 Montgomery Ave., Merion, PA 19066 Visitation JUL 28. 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM (ET) Sisters of Mercy Convent 22-04 Parsons Blvd Whitestone, NY 11357 Loading map Funeral Mass JUL 28. 10:00 AM (ET) Sisters of Mercy Convent 22-04 Parsons Blvd Whitestone, NY 11357 Loading map