Sr. Regina Miriam (Catherine McWilliams) died peacefully on April 1, 2020 at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY.  Catherine was born in New York City on November 14, 1927 to Isabella Ferris and Ralph McWilliams.  She had six siblings:  Michael, Thomas, Margaret, Colette, Theresa and Ralph.  She attended Sacred Heart Grammar School in Manhattan and graduated from Cathedral High School in June 1946.  In her first year at Cathedral High School she met the Franciscan Sisters and entered their novitiate in Peekskill, NY in March of 1947.
After her religious profession, Sr. Regina Miriam was assigned to the field of Elementary Education and remained in that ministry for fifty-six years.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English at Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY and later studied at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ where she achieved a Master’s degree in Education Administration in 1976.
During her early years she taught at St. Mary’s School in West New York, NJ.  In 1953 she was assigned as teacher and child care worker at St. Joseph’s Home, Peekskill, NY until 1955 when she went to teach at St. Patrick’s School in Verplanck, NY until 1957.  From 1957-1959, she taught at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and St. Veronica’s School, both in Manhattan.  From 1960-1961, she taught at Assumption in Peekskill, NY
Sr. Regina Miriam rejoined the faculty at St. Mary’s School, West New York, NJ in 1961 and spent five years there. She then taught for two years at St. Joseph’s School, Bogota, NJ.  In 1969, she returned to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in NYC until 1972.  It was then that she was appointed as Principal of St. Joseph’s School in Bogota, NJ and served in that role for six years.
Illness interrupted her tenure as Principal in 1978  but Sr. Regina Miriam was able to return to that role in 1983 serving for another twenty-one years!  During her teaching tenure, Sr. Regina Miriam received permanent licensing in education in both New York and New Jersey.  She was also certified as Principal by the State of New Jersey in 1972.  In 2003 she received the STARS award as a tribute to her service in the field of education.
In 1986, when the newly founded Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace was established, Sr. Regina Miriam chose to become one of 112 founding members.  She served on the Finance Committee of St. Joseph’s Parish, Bogota and the Long-Range Planning Committee of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace.
She retired from active ministry in 2004 and continued to reside in Bogota until 2010 when she moved to a collaborative retirement facility, Marian Woods located in Hartsdale, NY and remained in residence there until 2017.  Due to her need for skilled care, Sr. Regina Miriam was moved to St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
All of Sr. Regina Miriam’s siblings have predeceased her.  She was proud of the military service of her brothers, Michael and Thomas, who served in the US Army during World War II.  Thomas (Tucker) was wounded in combat in Germany on February 23, 1945 and died two days later near Duren, Germany.  He was buried in the Henri Chapelle Cemetery in Belgium. 
Sr. Regina Miriam is survived by her nieces, Rose Ann Buccino and Michele Giuliano, who were very faithful and attentive to visiting her at St. Cabrini Nursing Home.  She also had many nieces and nephews along with several cousins.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, no wake or funeral services could be held.  A Memorial Mass will be celebrated when possible.
Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Yonkers, NY on Saturday, April 4, 2020.  Service will be private.