In loving Memory

Sister Catherine was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She described her vocation as: “ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a religious.” She fulfilled her dream when she entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Millvale at age 18.

Sister Catherine spent most of her 66 years in active ministry in education, ministering as a teacher, principal and Religious Educator in various schools throughout Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico. She also ministered as a Family Home Care provider and felt it was a privilege to serve for 28 years in multiple ministries in her beloved hometown. In 2011, Sister Catherine returned to Mt. Alvernia in Millvale, where she served as a prayer minister and continued to help the many people who called her on the telephone for advice. 

Sister Catherine lived her vision to the fullest: “To be Franciscans who follow Christ to Jerusalem, we must be women who show our connectedness through the love we give our neighbors under all aspects of ministry and service. If in the process, we must risk, suffer or sacrifice, let us do so to raise the dignity of human beings, overcome injustice, support human rights and regain peace among those with whom we share the Gospel.”

Sister will be remembered for her contagious smile and generous spirit. Her strong Franciscan spirit will be missed.

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Sister Beatrice Leising was born and raised on a hundred-acre farm in Akron, New York, one of six children in a family where church, faith and parish life were important. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis after graduating from Notre Dame High School in Batavia, New York. 

Sister Bea’s first ministry was in education, and she taught in several Catholic schools in western New York. She also served as principal at two schools. Then, “following God’s prodding to be among the poor,” she helped open The Little Portion Friary in Buffalo, where volunteers provided shelter and other services to adults without homes. During her 15 years there, and her volunteer work on boards and committees such as the Sisters of St. Francis’ Peace & Justice Committee, and board member for Holy Family Home and VIVE refugee center, Sister Bea developed her passion for social justice. She was honored with 2007 Franciscan Peacemaker Award from the Franciscan Federation for being a “steady and constant voice for justice,” engaged in fostering education and understanding of justice concepts.

Sister Bea fulfilled her Franciscan dream when she went to Africa to serve at the Sisters’ mission in Timau, Kenya. There she worked in St. Elizabeth’s School, supporting students and their families with kindness and compassion. When she returned to Williamsville, New York, Sister Bea ministered to her fellow Sisters in the Health Care unit, sharing stories and prayer.

Sister Bea cherished her family gatherings; she loved nature and enjoyed reading. Her kindness and caring manner will be missed by all who loved her within and outside community.

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The seventh of her parent’s eight children, Sister Beatrice was born Margaret Venditti in Elma, New York. She and her siblings walked six miles a day to and from Annunciation Parish grade school because there was no bus service. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis at the age of 16 and took the name Sister M. Beatrice. Following entrance, Sister Bea completed her high school education at Neumann High School in Williamsville, and later earned a BS at Medaille College, Buffalo, New York.

Sister spent her first six years in ministry at the German Roman Catholic Orphanage on Dodge Street in Buffalo, caring for the older resident boys and girls. For the next 35 years, Sister Bea ministered as a teacher at various Catholic Schools in western New York — Tonawanda, Silver Creek, Buffalo, Gardenville, East Eden, Cheektowaga, Strykersville, Springville, Lancaster and Hamburg. Sister Bea then spent two years serving in an outreach program at SS Peter and Paul, Hamburg, New York before making a change to health care, ministering for 20 years in pastoral care at the former St. Francis Home on Reist Street in Williamsville, New York.  Sister Bea also served as the Director of the Franciscan Associate Program for four years during her time in health care. Sister Bea completed her active ministry in Community Service and Franciscan Prayer Presence.  

Sister Bea will be remembered for her many hobbies, including playing cards, spelling backwards, and cooking and baking. Sisters will miss the many jokes Sister Bea enjoyed telling.

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Born in Clutier, Iowa into a large family, Sister Monica (Grace Anthony) entered the Sisters of St. Francis at the age of 19; she served God as a Sister for 74 years.

She received a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Dayton Extension in Honolulu, Hawaii. She taught school in Syracuse, New York and Hawaii. After receiving a master’s degree from Manhattanville College in 1966, Sister Monica ministered for 14 years as a Director of Faith Formation in Dewitt, New York; Belmont, Massachusetts; and Chittenango, New York.

 Her fellow Sisters recognized Sister Monica’s leadership abilities and caring ways and elected her to serve the congregation as the Assistant General Minister, a position she held for 10 years. She returned to parish work after leaving office and became a Parish Minister at Immaculate Conception Parish in Fayetteville, New York. During her 30 years in this ministry, Sister Monica earned the love and respect of the parish clergy and the school, staff and students. Following her retirement, she served in prayer ministry at Franciscan Villa in Syracuse. 

Sister Monica will be missed by her fellow Sisters, her siblings and several nieces and nephews. They will remember her love of life, gentle spirit, graciousness and her deep appreciation for her Franciscan vocation. 

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Sister Joan Clare graduated from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in her hometown of Utica, New York in 1947; she received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1951.

Sister Joan Clare’s ministry of compassionate nursing began at St. James Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. She returned to New York to serve God’s people at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, and Mercy Rehabilitation Center in Auburn. Sister also served as a nursing instructor at St. Joseph Hospital’s School of Nursing for 10 years, as Nurse Coordinator at Mercy for 20 years, and part-time Clinical Instructor at Cayuga County Community College in Auburn.  

Sister Joan Clare was a tireless worker on behalf of her patients. Her patience, caring, and compassion impressed her sisters, nursing students, patients, families and staff in all the places where she ministered. In 2017, she received a special plaque at the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing annual alumni banquet in recognition of her dedication to nursing and for representing her fellow alumni so professionally. Schoolmates recalled that Sister Joan Clare was always smiling, willing to help, and never complained. Students said that while she challenged them, she was kind, knowledgeable and approachable.

Sister Joan Clare will be remembered for her dedication to her patients and students, her professionalism, and her gentle nature.

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Sister Mary Alice Howley was proud that her June 13 birthday was also the feast day of a Franciscan saint — St. Anthony. As a student at St. Catherine School in Pelham, New York, she met the Sisters of St. Francis of Hastings on Hudson; she joined the community in 1955. 

Sister’s first mission after her first Profession was as a 7^th grade teacher at Holy Name of Jesus School in New Rochelle. Of her next ministry, Sister Mary Alice often said, “You either loved it or you didn’t;” English to 5th through 8th graders at St. Aloysius School, Mt. Loretto, Staten Island, for 11 years.  From 1970 to 1979, Sister taught English to Juniors and Seniors at St. Clare Academy, Hastings, at the same time serving as acting as Assistant Principal. During these years she also served her fellow Sisters as Director of Sister Candidates and ongoing Formation for the Community.  

Sister Mary Alice changed her ministry focus after studying for (CPE) Clinical Pastoral Education at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She was a Pastoral Care Associate at St. Francis Hospital, Poughkeepsie, New York, and Director of Mission Effectiveness from 1992 until her retirement in 2014.

Sister earned a B.S. in English and an M.A. in Religion and Religious Education from Fordham University, the Bronx, New York. As part of a master’s in English that she earned from New Jersey’s Seton Hall University, Sister wrote her graduate thesis on the Religious Philosophy of the Poet, Christina Rosetti.  She served the Community of the Sisters of St. Francis, Hastings as a third councilor from 1999-2003 and was re-elected as first councilor in 2003.

Sister Mary Alice will always be remembered for her hearty laugh and her dry sense of humor.

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Born in western New York state, Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Francis following her graduation from St. Mary’s High School. She continued her education at St. Clare College in Williamsville and Medaille College in Buffalo, where she earned a BS in Education, a Certificate in Education as a NYS Permanent Principal and a Certificate as a Catechist from the Diocese of Buffalo.

Sister Catherine ministered in education for 38 years, teaching in various grade schools in the Buffalo Diocese, including schools in Tonawanda, Harris Hill, Williamsville and Lancaster. She spent 16 years at St. Aloysius in Springville, New York; in June 1997, she was chosen as St. Aloysius Teacher of the Month. 

Along with teaching children, Sister Cathy found great joy in watching and taking part in all sports. In June 1994, she was inducted into the St. Mary’s Lancaster High School “Athlete Hall of Fame.” 

Sister is remembered for her dedication to hundreds of children she taught and for her service done in God’s name.

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A Sister of St. Francis for 74 years, Sister Marie Bernadette Wyman was born in South Dorset, Vermont and entered the Sisters of St. Francis Mission of the Immaculate Virgin in downstate New York at age 19. In later years, Sister would be a driving force in the unification of several Franciscan communities that would create the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.

Sister vigorously pursued her own education that she would use to the benefit of others. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan college and master’s degrees in Romantic languages and social work, both from Fordham University. She added a third master’s degree, this in Theology from St. John University. 

Sister Bernadette began her teaching ministry in 1948. In 1964, she ministered at Mt. Loretto in Staten Island, where she cared for homeless and orphaned children as a teacher, social worker and administrator. Cardinal Cooke appointed her Executive Director, a position she held until 1990 when she became Director of Mission Effectiveness at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Sister’s leadership abilities came to the attention of her community. After holding several governing positions, Sister Marie Bernadette was elected General Minister of the community in 1992, a position she held until 1999. At that time, she began a new ministry, as Director of Religious Education at a parish in Florida. She then returned to New York and to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, to serve as Director of Pastoral Care.

Sister Bernadette will be remembered for her spirituality, lady-like demeanor and remarkable intelligence. 

Click here to make a gift in memory of Sister Marie Bernadette Wyman