In NYC : A Street Named in Love: Honoring Sr. Susanne Lachapelle
Sr. Susanne was born in Worcester, MA, and entered the Little Sisters of the Assumption in Haverford, PA in 1962, taking the religious name, Sr. Susanne Mary of the Sacred Heart. She made her final vows in Dorchester, MA, in 1971.
Sr. Susanne was a Little Sister of the Assumption for over 60 years, including 45 years of living and working in East Harlem, New York. A nurse and community advocate, she co-founded key ministries, including the LSA Family Health Service, helping transform it from a modest brownstone into a vital community hub.
With a heart rooted in justice, she dedicated herself to serving the vulnerable through home visits, healthcare, and tireless advocacy both locally and globally. Her work with the United Nations, VIVAT International, and her deep commitment to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, a call to protect our common home, reflected her profound love for people and Mother Earth.
Sr. Susanne passed away on Christmas Eve in 2022, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, simplicity, and love. She welcomed everyone as family and inspired others through her modesty, strength, and deep commitment to justice and peace.
In August 2024, during a JPIC meeting between Lynn Tiede and Rosario Jimenez, laity and JPIC contact persons in the United States, the idea of renaming a street in her honor was born. With the support of LSA Family in Mission, LSA Family Health Service, the local Council Member, Sr. Deysi Martinez, and the wider community, 125 signatures and six letters of support were gathered to approve the petition.
The street renaming celebration took place on April 25, 2026. Around 80 community members gathered to honor the enduring legacy of Sr. Susanne, many of whom had known her personally and shared a meaningful bond with her.
For Lynn and Rosario, Sr. Susanne was a mentor and guide who taught them the values of spirituality, justice, peace, and care for creation. Through her example, they learned that true leadership comes from living with integrity, purpose, and love.
Naming this street in her honor is a sacred tribute to her lifelong mission of reflecting God’s love through justice, compassion, and service to East Harlem, New York.
It also honors the 135th anniversary of the Little Sisters of the Assumption in the United States and their enduring witness of faith, love, and the lasting hope they have sown in countless lives.
Rosario,
Lay member of the Little Sisters of the Assumption