Judith Ann, known as Sister Norberta, was one of two children in the Hunnewinkel family. She was born on February 10, 1941, in Evanston, Illinois, to Norine and Albert.   Beth (Bradford) joined the family when Judith was 11 ½ . Her family moved many times throughout the United States due to her father’s employment. She finished high school, while boarding at St. Francis Convent School in Syracuse, New York.

Moved by the joy of the sisters who taught her, Judith decided to enter the Sisters of St. Francis at the age of 16. She shared that joy with others by becoming a teaching sister herself both in inner city Camden and then in Hoboken, New Jersey at St. Joseph’s School where she taught the children of recent immigrants, primarily from Puerto Rico, who came with very little, seeking a better life.

After 3 years in Peru, she received her master’s degree in social work and was instrumental in the founding The Hoboken Shelter, which was established in the wake of intentional fires during the gentrification of the city. Sr. Norberta took her vow of poverty seriously, sharing her life with the displaced and disenfranchised. She advocated for the rights of the poor serving on the city’s Rent Control Board and served as the Hoboken Shelter’s Director for twenty-five years.

During this time Sister Norberta became the foster mother of two sibling children, Lingie Chu-Hopf and Cambridge Chu, raising them to adulthood. She stated that none of her previous ministries could have prepared her for “…the daily, hourly, by the minute challenges of foster parenting.” She loved Lingie and Cambridge with all of her heart and having them as her chosen children was one of the greatest joys of her life.

Sister received several awards during her ministry. In 1987 she was named as a Jersey Journal Women of Achievement. In 2002 the Franciscan Federation honored her with a Peacemaker Award and the Hoboken Shelter in 2007 recognized her with a Lifetime Achievement Recognition. In 2011 she received a proclamation of gratitude from the mayor of the City of Hoboken.

In Hawaii she ministered in various areas through St. Francis Health Care System until her retirement. Her life of faith, service, and compassion continues to inspire all who knew her. Her celebration of life will be at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe on August 20, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Hoboken Shelter 300 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. A virtual memorial will be held on 5 October 2024 at 3 p.m. EST. look on Facebook or UTube in a few weeks for more information.

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