Sr. Joan Cain, S.C.

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Joan Cain died on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the age of 95 in Mother Margaret Hall on the Mount St. Joseph campus.

Sister Joan was born on Aug. 28, 1930, to Albert and Osie (Gordon) Cain in McCook, Nebraska. She was one of three children, with one sister and one brother. She was a Sister of Charity for 76 years.

Sister Joan grew up in McCook, but her family moved to Denver, Colorado, by the time she was ready for high school. She attended St. Patrick grade school in McCook and graduated from Cathedral High School in Denver in 1949. Sister Joan was taught by the Sisters of Charity at Cathedral and chose to enter the Community in September 1949.

 She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1959 and a master’s degree in religious education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1975.

Sister Joan’s years of active ministry spanned 58 years. She began teaching at St. Anthony School in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1952. The following year, she traveled to Denver, Colorado, to teach at Sacred Heart School. Beginning in 1954, she taught at St. Vincent Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico (1954-’57 and 1966-’68); St. Patrick School in Pueblo, Colorado (1957-’59); St. William School in Cincinnati (1959-’61); Guardian Angels School in Detroit, Michigan (1961-’66); and San Felipe de Neri School in Albuquerque (1968-’70). 

In 1970, Sister Joan chose to go into parish ministry, focusing especially on religious education. She remained at San Felipe parish where her heart was drawn to serve the needs of the Hispanic families. She shared, “We have so much to learn from our Hispanic brothers and sisters. They are a people of deep faith and strong family relationship with a sense of joy and optimism despite their suffering.”

In 1977, she began ministry at St. Patrick parish in Chama, New Mexico, followed by service at St. Joseph parish in Springer, New Mexico. She later took a year away from active ministry, living at the House of Prayer in Sarita, Texas, before returning to parish ministry in adult faith formation at San Juan in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Mexico (1980-’82). She next served as director of religious education at St. Charles Borromeo parish in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1982-’84), and Divine Redeemer parish in Colorado Springs, Colorado (1984-’87). From 1987-’90, Sister Joan ministered at Sacred Heart parish in Clifton, Arizona. She then served for two years as home care coordinator at Marian Plaza in Denver, Colorado, before beginning a long ministry as director of religious education at St. Joseph parish in Fort Collins, Colorado (1992-2001). 

During those years in Fort Collins, Sister Joan also assumed responsibility for faith formation ministry at Colorado State University, which was part of St. Joseph parish. She guided many college-age individuals through their journey into the Catholic faith, while also helping to find active parishioners to serve as sponsors and mentors. Her gentle presence, deep spirituality, and gift for accompaniment touched the lives of countless students and parishioners alike.

In 2001, Sister Joan was invited to join other Sisters of Charity ministering at nearby Los Pobres Center in Avondale, Colorado. She came to serve as religious education coordinator at Sacred Heart parish in Pueblo, once again following her call to accompany the poor and spiritually underserved, especially within the Hispanic community. During a 20-month period of ministry, Sister Joan assisted with more than 80 baptisms and 40-plus First Communions. In a 2003 article, Sister Emily Anne Phelan said, “Here people found a great gift in Sister Joan, as well as an opportunity to be heard and understood and, eventually, were led into a beautiful journey of faith and a home in the Church.”

Sister Joan continued her ministry there until retiring in 2010. In retirement, she remained engaged in service and community life. She volunteered as a docent at the zoo in Pueblo, enjoyed caring for her cat, served as a Eucharistic Minister for patients at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, and drove for the American Cancer Society, providing transportation for individuals needing rides to medical appointments.

In 2007, Sister Joan reflected that her vision for the future centered on hope. “I hope to see all churches opening their arms to welcome migrant brothers and sisters. I also hope our major two cultures in the Southwest can join in celebration, with rituals in both English and Spanish. We are called to be a community that not only cares for the social needs of this population, but is also open to the spiritual gifts that will enrich us all.”

Sharing her broader worldview, she said, “I see the Church and the world itself as one family – no walls of fear, no boundaries, only one community in Christ. There is an awakening to this vision, but it is not yet strong enough to counter the fear and bigotry it meets.”

After moving to the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse, Sister Joan enjoyed sharing prayer and community life with her Sisters.

Sister Joan is survived by her sister, Mary Earley, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Cain. Sisters, family and friends will greet visitors in the back of the Motherhouse Chapel from 9-10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel. Sister Joan will be buried in the cremains section of the Sisters of Charity cemetery.

Memorials can be made in Sister Joan Cain’s name to the Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Retirement Fund, 5900 Delhi Rd., Mount St. Joseph, Ohio 45051.