Sister Marian Steffens O.C.D.

Sister Marian Steffens O.C.D., passed into eternal life on May 16, 2026. Known as Jean Steffens as a young girl, she was the loving daughter of John Steffens and Evangeline Murphy Steffens, born in Brooklyn, NY on January 2, 1934. She grew up with her sisters Rosemary, Evelyn, Dorothy, and Marian, and her brother Patrick. Throughout her life, she enjoyed telling people that remembering her birthday is easy: it's 1-2-34!

Jean loved gardening, singing, and dancing. Her father John, a delivery driver for Nabisco, was widowed following the birth of Patrick. The elder Steffens sisters helped John to raise Jean and Patrick. The family went to Mass at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Roman Catholic Church in East Flatbush. While in high school she became more focused on her religion and St. Thérèse. Jean told her prom date that she had a wonderful time, and that now she was going to be a nun.

Jean wished to join the Discalced Carmelite Order (O.C.D.) at its monastery in Newport, RI. Her father and the parish priest convinced her to go to college first and pray for guidance. Graduating from St. John's University, she was certain of her vocation and traveled to Newport where she was accepted as a Novice at the monastery. Making her vows to the Carmelites, she took the name Sister Marian of the Angels. The community moved to a new monastery in Barrington in 1957, where she lived a life of prayer and contemplation as a cloistered nun.

Through changes in the Church, the Barrington Carmel opened its doors to the outside community for Mass and in prayer. Sister Marian was able to provide more direct vocational guidance, spiritual consolation, and prayer for many in Barrington and beyond. She also provided blueberry muffins for her nephew’s family, who had moved to Barrington because of her. In 1995, Sister Marian became Godmother to her grandnephew, Blaise.

Following a stroke in 2015, Sister Marian was a resident at several nursing homes. She then lived for a time at the monastery, and in 2018, Sister Marian moved to St. Clare’s Nursing Home in Newport. She quickly became a well-loved member of that community and continued to participate in life with her Carmelite Sisters. She reflected on how God had her enter Carmel in Newport, and that is where she would finish her journey of life, too.

Sister Marian is survived by her sister Dorothy, her brother in law, Walter, her sister in law, Christine, and many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews, as well as her dear Carmelite Sisters.

Her family and friends visited her often, sharing in both prayer and ice cream, her favorite being fudge swirl. In 2026, as her health declined, Sister trusted completely in God’s plan. She shared profound messages of life and faith in her final weeks—and continued to brighten our lives with her sharp wit, jokes, and humor. Her most repeated and notable message was to share with those in need—and that we who share will always be blessed with more. Family and friends came from near and far to visit her. The compassionate and devoted staff at St. Clare’s cared for her not just out of need but out of love and to keep her comfortable.

Sister Marian lives forever with God and in the way she impacted her community of Carmel, Barrington, Newport, and beyond. For those that were not able to be with her at the end, know that she is with you still in Spirit. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM in St. Luke's Parish, 108 Washington Road, Barrington. Her burial will follow, with her Sisters who have gone before her, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Riverside.

The calling hours for Sister Marian will take place right in St. Luke's Parish, prior to the Mass, from 9:30 - 10:45 AM, on Friday May 29th.