Sr. Beverly Nonte, CSJ

Beverly Nonte was born in Detroit, Michigan, April 28, 1940, the daughter of Ignatius Joseph Nonte and Pauline Augusta (Nolan) Nonte. Beverly was a member of St. Bernard’s in Detroit at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on September 1, 1957. She received the name Sister Azariah at her reception on July 2, 1958, but later returned to her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on July 2, 1960, and final vows on July 2, 1963.

Sister Beverly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nazareth College in 1969 majoring in Social Science with a minor in Education. Sister Beverly worked as a Hispanic pastoral care minister at Casa Guadalupana and St. Patrick’s in Walla Walla, Washington. She then spent a few years at her parents’ home providing home nursing care. In the mid 1990’s, Sr Beverly again ministered to the Hispanic Community in Schenectady, New York through her work in a Spanish speaking outreach program. She continued her call to the Hispanic community through her work at St. Mary’s Cathedral as Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in Grand Island, Nebraska. Sister Beverly then went on to work, again, with the Hispanic community at St. Mary’s Parish in Greenville, South Carolina and St. Francis De Sales in Crookston, and Moorhead, Minnesota.

In 2001 Sister Beverly came to Nazareth to continue her call to minister to the Hispanic community. In 2003 she traveled to Parroquota San Antonis Abad to connect again with friends and colleagues in Peru. Sister returned to Nazareth in 2004 where she worked in house services and prayer ministry. After a fall and broken hip in 2023, Sr. Beverly became a resident at Ascension Living Borgess Place. Her welcome smile and quick wit endeared her to the staff and residents. From childhood Sr. Beverly had a special love for Mary, “Madre Mia.” At the monthly Nazareth social at Ascension Living Borgess Place Sr. Beverly would offer a solo rendition in Spanish of “Oh, Maria, Madre Mia” which everyone enjoyed and applauded!

Sister was very close to her family, especially her twin Barbara, her nieces, and nephews. In simple everyday encounters she was always kind in word and deed. She showed thoughtfulness at community gatherings and always made efforts to draw others into conversations at table. Sr. Beverly credits the congregation and her sisters in community with her continued growth in the great love of God. She lived each day recognizing God’s love and grace calling her to grow and encounter the more God had for her to be and do. May Sr. Beverly now know that the fullness of her live as a Sister of St. Joseph has brought her to the heavenly banquet and celebration of eternal life in God’s presence forever.

May She Rest in Peace!