BELMONT - Sister Joseph Marie Perez, RSM, a Sister of Mercy for sixty-nine years, died on Nov. 6, 2016, at Marian Center, Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont, North Carolina. A native of Agana, Guam, Josefina was born on May 15, 1930, the third of nine children of Vincente Borja Perez and his wife, Maria Pangelinan. She attended public schools in Agana and Sinajana and high school in Mongmong. She was profoundly affected by the experiences of suffering, hunger and uncertainty during World War II and remembers the American efforts to rebuild Guam.When the Sisters of Mercy came to Guam in 1946, Josefina was attracted to the sisters and visited Sister Inez Underwood to talk about her desires. She entered the fledging community with other postulants on December 12, 1947. She received the habit and a new name, Sister Joseph Marie, on December 6, 1948. She attended Sacred Heart Academy in Belmont, NC, and recalls the struggle to catch up educationally with her peers. She professed final vows at the Cathedral in Agana on August 13, 1956.Sister Joseph Marie's greatest mentor, Sister Inez, saw her ability to learn languages and encouraged her to pursue Latin. She was sent to Mount Mercy College in Pittsburgh, PA, where she earned a BA in Latin with minors in Education and Biology. She found the studies difficult, but said it helped her to speak, spell and write English for which she was forever grateful. She later earned a Master's degree in Educational Supervision and Administration from the University of Guam.Sister Joseph Marie ministered at the Academy of Our Lady in Agana, St. Anthony School in Tamuning, Santa Barbara School in Dededo, St. Joseph's Parish in Inarajan, the Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center and Infant of Prague/Nursery-K in Mangilao.Sister Joseph Marie was well known for her cooking and baking skills which fulfilled her desire to serve others. She also enjoyed writing poetry, painting and gardening.When interviewed at the time of her 60th Jubilee, Sister Joseph Marie said: "If we sisters would reflect and meditate on our primary reason for entering Religious Life, we would be setting forward our thread of life with the right color and pattern on the right tapestry with God, the Prime Mover of the needle to whatever picture the Master has in Mind. The Master Artist moves us freely, never to be tangled up, forsaken or be in want." To this she added that she felt that any struggles, hardships and storms encountered were part of God's plan in her life. In spite of a long battle with cancer, she never lost confidence that God would lead her home safely.Sister Joseph Marie's life is summed up in her motto: "O Crux Dulcis, Adoro Te, Amo' Te" or "O Sweet Cross of Jesus, I adore You, I love You!"The Welcoming Ceremony and Prayer will be on Wednesday, November 9, at 6 p.m. in the Cardinal Gibbons Chapel at Sacred Heart Convent. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m. Sister Joseph Marie is survived by her brothers Ignacio and Eddie, her sister-in-law Medo and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.Arrangements are entrusted with McLean Funeral Directors, Belmont.