Judith “Robert Patricia” Nee

Sister Judith “Judy” Nee, SNDdeN had a “wonderful” childhood in South Boston in a family of six children belonging to Coleman and Irene (Conroy) Nee. Her father provided for his large family by working at the former Kennedy’s Department Store and Boston Edison Company.

“I became very independent growing up as the only girl among brothers,” she said, adding that her baby sister, Patricia, was born two days before Sister Judy entered the convent.

A public elementary school student, she first met the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Sunday school. In high school at Archbishop Central, she was determined not to be “recruited” into the convent. However, a year after graduation, she changed her mind. With the goal of becoming a foreign missionary, she began her religious life with the Sisters in 1956. She took her first vows in 1959 and Perpetual Vows in 1964. Her religious name was Sister Robert Patricia.

“When I was young, I read the Maryknoll magazines and dreamed of being a missionary to China,” recalls Sister Judy. She was also impressed by her oldest brother, Robert, a Franciscan priest who spent 15 years as a missionary in Brazil. Eventually, she put those dreams aside.

“The closest I came was taking Chinese extension classes,” she says. “Circumstances changed, leadership changed, and we never opened a mission in China.”

Instead, Sister Judy followed the “long road” to college, taking summer courses while teaching. She graduated from Emmanuel College in 1967, then earned her master’s degree in U.S. history from Salem State in 1974, certified in social studies, English and history.

She started her teaching career at elementary schools such as St. Joseph’s in Somerville, Presentation in Newton, Blessed Sacrament in Cambridge, and St. Charles in Woburn. However, the majority of her long career in education was spent at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, where she enjoyed 52 years as a social studies teacher, development officer, and a volunteer in the Finance Office.

“My teaching style was strict but fair. I believed every student could do excellent work,” she says. Sister Judy loved teaching, and years after her retirement, she still counts several former students among her dear friends.

“Teaching opens new worlds for young people. Years later, some have written to thank me—one now teaches at Emmanuel College; another, a former student and exceptional writer, told me I influenced his entire career. One former student, now a close friend, still jokes that she earned her first C from me. My students learned to think and write.”

Sister Judy never did get to travel in her vocation, but being the only sibling still living in Massachusetts allowed her to care for her mother in her remaining years at Marian Manor Nursing Home.

In retirement, Sister Judy lives in Stoneham near several other Sisters, and they all enjoy gathering for shared dinners, prayer service and socializing. In her spare time, she loves museums, reading and lunches with old and new friends,

When asked for advice to women considering a religious vocation, Sister Judy says, “Finish your education first.”

“Consider joining as an Associate or companion program before making vows,” she says. “And recognize that young people today are spiritual, even if they aren’t traditional churchgoers. God appears in many ways and cultures.”

During this time of her 70th Jubilee (2026), Sister Judy is especially grateful for the good health that she has enjoyed most of her life.

“It has been a long, prayerful period,” she reflects. “I feel God has given me this time to straighten things out. I’m 88 now, and grateful. God has been extremely good to me. I’ve also been deeply blessed by my family. Their kindness has been a constant source of hope.”

Updated in 2026