 RANDALL, SISTER MARY PAVEL MIRIAM Sister Miriam Randall, longtime member of the community of the Pecos Benedictine Monastery, died February 7 in Framingham, MA where she lived the final three years of her life as a member of the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She used the name Mary Pavel in that setting. She was born in Lowell, MA on July 18, 1927, the beloved daughter of of the late George T. and Margaret (Linehan) Randall. She was predeceased by her brothers Reverend Edward Randall, OMI, Brother George Randall, CFX, David Randall, and Reverend Timothy Randall, MS. She is survived by her sisters Margaret Madden, Sister Frances Randall, SND, and brother, William Randall, along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sr. Miriam entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston at age 18 and became a teacher and principal in Catholic schools in the Boston area. In 1975 she came to a 30-Day House of Prayer retreat at the Pecos Monastery where she fell in love with the beauty of New Mexico and with the unique nature of the community of men and women living together at the Monastery. She felt called to stay and become a member of the community. She took the name of Miriam, after the sister of Moses, and made her mark as a spiritual director, speaker and teacher, storyteller, gifted dream worker, friend and spiritual mother to countless people whose paths crossed hers. She will be remembered for her sparkling eyes, humor, great compassion, her love of scripture and deep, abiding love of God. She was a friend and mentor to the residents of the village of Pecos and was often seen hiking or riding her bike up the steep roads in the Pecos Canyon. She loved the river and the mountains. When she was not teaching or giving spiritual direction she could be found in the Monastery gift shop or in the laundry where she assumed responsibility for laundering the linens from the retreat guest rooms. Sr. Miriam valued dearly the many soul friends she made over the years, her high country hiking companions, the 'wild women' members of her dream group, and her rescue cat, Minou. In 2011, Sr. Miriam returned to the land of her roots to rejoin her Sisters there, living in their excellent transitional care center, Bethany. While missing active ministry and her beloved soul-land along the Pecos River, she kept busy visiting those who were less ambulatory, and in her humble way, working in the laundry folding towels, sheets, and clothes of the residents. She also maintained correspondence with many who continued to be touched by her wisdom and grace. Sister Mary Pavel Miriam Randall was laid to rest in St. Patrick Cemetery, Natick, on Thursday, February 12, following Visitation, a Prayer Service, Funeral Mass and Prayers of Final Commendation.
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