Sister Joy Giovannoni, 1937-2024. Assistant Principal for Damien Memorial from 1991-2000
03/13/2024 BY HAWAII CATHOLIC HERALD
Read the story in the Hawaii Catholic Herald
Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Joy Giovannoni
Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Joy Giovannoni, a longtime educator who taught at Catholic schools in California and Hawaii, died Jan. 16 in Los Angeles at age 86.
Sister Giovannoni, who grew up in San Francisco, first encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet when she was a student at Star of the Sea Academy in San Francisco. She joined the order following her graduation in 1955, and upon her reception the next year took the name Sister Edward Ann.
She began her teaching career in 1958 at elementary schools in California, eventually changing her name to Sister Joyce. In 1972 Sister Giovannoni arrived in Hawaii and began teaching at St. Anthony School in Kailua; after nine years she was appointed principal and held that position until 1987.
A three-year return to California followed, then Sister Giovannoni came back to Hawaii in 1990 and taught religion to high school students at Damien Memorial School. In 1991 she was named assistant principal and served in the role until 2000.
Sister Giovannoni returned to her baptismal name, Joy, that same year and also went back to California, where she continued her career in education for 14 more years as a counselor, principal’s assistant and guidance counselor.
Sister Giovannoni was truly filled with “joy” and loved gardening, “talk story” time and being involved in community activities.
One of her fondest memories was traveling to Rome in 2001 to witness the canonization of Father Damien.