Sr. Virginia L. Sampson

Sister Virginia Sampson (Sister Helen Lucy), SUSC died at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River on September 28 at the age of 90. She was the daughter of the late Melzar and Helen (Sullivan) Sampson. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, several cousins survive her. Her aunts, Sr. Mary Aloysia, SUSC and Sr. Maria Immaculata predeceased her.

Sister Virginia graduated from the former Sacred Hearts Academy, Fall River and entered the Holy Union Sisters in Fall River, MA on September 8, 1942. She pronounced her final vows on August 22, 1950. She received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degree in English from Villanova University and a Ph.D. in English from St. Louis University.

Sr. Virginia began her teaching career in junior high schools staffed by the Holy Union Sisters in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. She taught at St. Mary High School, Taunton and the former College of the Sacred Hearts, Fall River.

Sr. Virginia was director of junior sisters and faculty member at Trinity College, Washington. She served as English teacher and administrator at the former Sacred Hearts Academy, Fall River.

After completing a course at Loyola University’s Institute of Spirituality, Sr. Virginia began a ministry as spiritual director and was a staff member at LaSalette Center for Christian Living, Attleboro. From 1987 until she retired in 2010 she offered spiritual direction from her home in Pawtucket, RI. as well as spiritual programs in parishes and retreat centers.

Sister Virginia joined the Holy Union Community at The Landmark, Fall River in 2010 and when her health declined, she moved to Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River in 2012.

All funeral services will be held at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, MA on October 1. The wake will be at 9 a.m. followed by a prayer vigil at 9:45. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the chapel of St. Margaret Mary at 10:30. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, Fall River, MA. All funeral arrangements are by Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home, Fall River.

Donations in Sr. Virginia’s memory may be made to the Holy Union Sisters’ Mission Advancement Office, P.O. Box 410, Milton, MA 02186-0006.