Sr. Joann Apicelli, CSC

Sister Joann Apicelli (Sr. Mary Ellen) passed away at Holy Cross Health Center in Manchester, NH, May 9, 2026. She was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on October 15,1940 to Mary Ellen (O’Connor) Apicelli and James Apicelli. In 1958, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Cross where she pronounced her final vows in 1965.

Family kinship, whether in her Holy Cross family or in her biological family, was very important to Sister Joann. Her way of experiencing this closeness to others as family was evident throughout her early years as an elementary school teacher and in her many years in various hospital chaplaincy and pastoral-care ministries with the sick and the dying. It is reflected in a favorite quote of hers from St. Ambrose: We have loved them in life. Let us not abandon them in death until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the Lord. Yes, Sister Joann needed to be close--and to the very end—to her family and to those with and whom she served. This closeness was anchored in strong faith, a gift received early in her family home. Her Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies prepared her to be a professional, but it’s especially her big “family heart” that made her “sister” to those she served.

Sister Joann was predeceased by her brother James Apicelli. At her passing, she leaves a large Holy Cross family of Sisters. She leaves also a very close and faithful sister, Mary Lue Chapman; a beloved sister-in-law, Linda Chapman, as well as very loving nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. All will be forever close to her heart. 

A time of Remembrance and Prayer for Sister Joann Apicelli is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Both services will take place in the chapel of St. George Manor at 357 Island Pond Road in Manchester, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of Holy Cross Development Office and mailed to 365 Island Pond Road, Manchester, NH 03109.