Rochester - Sister of St. Joseph Concepta Vay, who served more than 50 years in Diocese of Rochester Catholic schools, died Nov. 7, 2025. She was 92 years old.

Sister Vay entered the congregation in 1951 from her home parish of Holy Family, Rochester. She earned an elementary teaching certificate in 1956, a bachelor's degree in education in 1980 and a master's degree in education in 1985, all from Nazareth College.

Sister Vay began teaching first grade at St. Ambrose, Rochester, in 1954. She also taught at St. Jerome, East Rochester; Sacred Heart, Auburn; and Holy Apostles and Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rochester.

From 1975-79, she served as secretary to the superior general, but she returned to the classroom in 1979 and taught at St. Lawrence, Greece, and later at Nazareth Hall, Rochester. In 1995, she returned to St. Lawrence as an early education consultant, and in 2000, she transferred to the primary remedial reading program.

After more than 50 years serving in diocesan Catholic schools, Sister Vay retired to the motherhouse in 2009. She continued volunteering in classrooms at St. Lawrence and Holy Cross schools, and also at Bethany House, a women's shelter in Rochester.

Sister Vay is survived by her sister, Mary Lou Lester; nieces and nephews; friends; and her sisters in the congregation.

Her funeral liturgy was celebrated Nov. 14, 2025, with burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Fund at https://www.ssjrochester.org or by mailing Dawn Gruba at 150 French Road, Rochester, NY 14618.