Mary Bernice Boone was born in New Haven, Ky. She was the twelfth child in the family. Her parents were William Joseph Boone and Mary Josephine Greenwell Boone. She was born on September 20, 1928, and was baptized on September 24, 1928. Mary Bernice and all the Boone children including Frederick Joseph, Joseph Aloysius, Mary Joan (Sister Aloise), Margaret, Mary Elizabeth (Sister Regina), Cecilia Marie, Mary Jean, Mary Josephine, Mary (who died at birth), Louise (who died at 6 months), Edna Marie, Joseph William, Anna Catherine and Teresa Marie attended St. Catherine School in New Haven and were taught by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. She was confirmed on May 3rd, 1937, at St. Catherine Church by Archbishop John A. Floersh.
Mary Bernice entered the Mount Saint Joseph Ursuline Community in September 1946, right out of high school. Previously, two of her sisters, Sister Aloise and Sister Regina, had entered the Ursuline Community, one in 1933 and the other one in 1936. She entered the novitiate on August 14, 1947, and was given the name Sister Joseph Angela. Her novitiate days were filled with prayer, work and study.
Sister Joseph Angela was a teacher for 19 years, serving at SS Joseph and Paul School, Owensboro, Ky., St. Denis School in Louisville, Ky., and as a math professor at Brescia College, Owensboro, where she was named a Distinguished Alumna in 2009. She served as treasurer and business administrator for the Ursuline Sisters, which included starting the retirement fund and the Mount Saint Joseph Picnic. She then served as chancellor and director of administration for the Diocese of Owensboro. She also served on the Ursuline Leadership Council as well as numerous nonprofit boards. In August 2014, Boone Lodge at the Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center near Bowling Green, Ky., was named in her honor.
Sister Joseph Angela was called to her eternal home around 4:30 a.m. on November 11, 2018. The funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2018, at Mount Saint Joseph Chapel. Burial was in the Motherhouse cemetery.