In loving Memory

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. 

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The oldest of seven children, Sister Bernice was born in Buffalo, New York. She attended several elementary and high schools as the family moved to Pennsylvania and West Virginia so her father could find work in the coal mines. The family eventually returned to western New York, where Sister Bernice attended St. Mary’s Business School and Neumann High School in Williamsville, New York. She earned a M ED degree after attending several colleges, including Canisius, Catholic University and St. Bonaventure University.

Before she entered the community, Sister Bernice had several jobs. She worked at Chic Made Manufacturing Company where she made hats for 25 cents an hour. Later she worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone.

Sister Bernice entered the community in 1947. She ministered for 60 years in education, 28 of which were spent in the Lancaster, New York area. She taught various grade levels at elementary schools in Buffalo, Hamburg, Springville, Sheldon, Williamsville, West Seneca and Lancaster. 

Sister will be remembered for her devotion to her vocation, her strength and her dedication to Catholic education in the Diocese of Buffalo. 

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Sister Stella Maris earned a BS degree in Education and master’s degree, both from Syracuse University. She also was certified in guidance and counseling, and supervision and administration. She began her teaching ministry in the Diocese of Albany where she taught for two years, then spent her next 20 years of service teaching at various Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Syracuse as well as Bishop Ludden High School and Bishop Cunningham High School in Oswego, New York. From teacher she was promoted to assistant principal and principal, at times holding these administrative positions while serving on the leadership of the congregation.

Sister was eventually appointed President of Maria Regina College in Syracuse, a position she held for nine years. Even after she left the college, Sister continued in serve in different ministries, from parish work at Assumption, member of the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal and finally, as patient advocate at St. Joseph’s Hospital. 

Sister Stella Maris will be remembered for her willingness to minister wherever needed, her prayerful dedication and her humble spirit. Those close to her will miss their quiet friend who always was a good sport.

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Sister Mary E. Zaenglein was born in Buffalo, the oldest of three children. She attended St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Springbrook and graduated from Iroquois Central High School in 1970. She continued her education at Potter Road Vocational School where she majored in practical nursing, and then went on to Villa Maria College, D’Youville College and Trocaire College, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She was a dean’s list student at Villa Maria and D’Youville. At Villa Maria, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the National Honor Society. She became a licensed practical nurse and held an associate degree in applied science for gerontology and administration.

Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Williamsville, New York in 1979. At that same time, she began ministering as an LPN at St. Francis Home and Holy Family Home in Williamsville and at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston.

She went on to Waterfront Health Care Center in Buffalo, where she was unit manager and health information manager. In 2001, Sister Mary became health care unit manager at St. Mary’s of the Angels Motherhouse where she oversaw the care of her Sisters in community. After 2012, she pursued various roles in community service.

With the Sisters of St. Francis, Sister Mary was active as a member of the Heritage Day Planning Committee and Franciscans In Action.

Sister Mary will be remembered for her dedication to the field of healthcare and her dedication to the individuals for whom she cared.  

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Born in Utica, N.Y. Francine Ann Spina joined the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, N.Y. from St. Agnes Parish in Utica and took the name Sister Daniella. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and a master’s degree from SUNY in Oswego, N.Y., she served as an educator for 49 years.

Sister Daniella taught in many schools in the Syracuse, Utica and Oswego, N.Y. areas and in Long Beach, California. She also served as clerical receptionist at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse and director of volunteers at Francis House in Syracuse.

Sister Daniella filled her life with music, dancing and storytelling. She will be remembered for her many years of devoted service, and will remain in the hearts of her students and all with whom she served.

Sister Daniella, rest in God’s peace.

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Born in Buffalo, N.Y. Sister Lillian Schwartz entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Williamsville, N.Y. in 1938. Having two aunts in the congregation, Sisters Ester and Ruth, she became familiar with the Sisters of St. Francis and felt called to the Franciscan way of life.

She spent five years as a teacher in Catholic elementary schools in the Buffalo area and went on to study nursing. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She served for 21 years at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Niagara Falls, N.Y. in various positions including nursing supervisor and director of nursing and later as instructor and acting dean of Niagara University College of Nursing. An excellent leader, she then spent 12 years as administrator at St. Francis Home and Holy Family Home, both in Williamsville. Her last years were spent in prayer ministry at St. Mary of the Angels in Williamsville.

Throughout her lifetime, Sister Lillian responded to life’s gifts and challenges and allowed them to nurture her. Being true to herself, she allowed them to bring her to the fullness of growth that we remember and give thanks for today.

Sister Lillian, rest in God’s peace.

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