Sister Mary Joy Heinlein, OSB, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Our Lady of Rickenbach in Clyde, Missouri.

Sister Mary Joy was born on July 15, 1930, in New York City to Martin and Rose Schellinger Heinlein. Her father and mother were both born in Germany.

Sister Mary Joy entered the monastery on January 6, 1953, and was invested as a novice on July 11, 1953. She made her first monastic profession on July 12, 1954, receiving the name Sister Mary Laetitia. She made her final monastic profession on September 12, 1959. She changed her name to the vernacular in 1968.

Sister Mary Joy is survived by her sister, Sr. Doris Heinlein, SC, a cousin, Stefan, and her monastic family.

Her funeral liturgy at Our Lady of Rickenbach was on June 22, 2026, with burial following in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Clyde.