Sr. Dolores Jane Beshara, RSM (formerly Josephine Marie, RSM) died peacefully on Friday, Sept. 23, nine days after her 90th birthday. Born in Pittsfield, Mass, on Sept. 14, 1932, she was predeceased by her parents – Ashaia Beshara and Mary Farrah, both of whom originally came from Lebanon, settling in Torrington.
The youngest of nine children, Sr. Dolores was a Sister of Mercy for 69 years. Sr. Dolores earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology and Education at the Diocesan Sisters’ College, Madison, Conn., and a Masters’ Degree in Psychology from the University of St. Joseph, West Hartford, Conn.
In addition, she earned certification as a Hospital Chaplain from the National Catholic Chaplains Association and the National Chaplains Association. Having taught in Catholic elementary schools throughout Connecticut for 18 years, Sr. Dolores was recognized as a person who cared deeply for her students and listened carefully to what they were saying.
These skills she transferred to her ministry as a chaplain. Centering her chaplaincy at Bristol Hospital, Sr. Dolores recognized the value of her listening presence for both patients and their loved ones, representing both hope and strength and bringing them comfort and joy. In her personal assessment of her chaplaincy, Sr. Dolores has cited the deeper awareness she gained of her own humanity which enabled her to understand and appreciate others more fully.
On the 50th anniversary of being a Sister of Mercy, Gov. Rowland issued a proclamation making Sept. 14, 2003, as SISTER DOLORES BESHARA DAY in the State of Connecticut. The proclamation recognized her ministries as an educator and chaplain and the programs and services she brought to the communities she served.
Sr. Dolores is survived by her nieces: Anita Coury, Mother Regina Pacis Coury, SSGM; Chris Beshara Cushman, Theresa Beshara; her nephews: Lance Beshara, Jon Beshara and their families and the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff on the Baggot Street Community at Saint Mary Home for their loving and compassionate care for our Sr. Dolores.
Sr. Dolores’s Funeral Mass and wake will be held on Thursday, Sept. 29, at St. Gregory the Great Church, 235 Maltby Street, Bristol. The wake will be from 5 until 7 p.m. with the Mass of the Resurrection at 7 p.m. Burial will be on Friday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. in the NEW St. Francis Cemetery, 863 South Main Street, Torrington.
Please consider donations in memory of Sr. Dolores Beshara to the Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prescott Street, 1st floor, West Hartford, CT 06119-2335.
Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, is honored to care for Sr. Dolores. Please visit Sister Dolores’ memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.