Sister Eileen Rynne, OSF, 1920-2018

Wed, Aug 8th 2018 12:00 pm

Sister Eileen Rynne, who served throughout the Northeast, died Aug. 6, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany.            

Born Eileen Agnes Rynne on Dec. 4, 1920, in the Bronx, the daughter of William and Beatrice (Collins) Rynne, attended Our Savior School and Our Lady of Refuge School and graduated from St. Barnabas High School, all in the Bronx. Prior to entering the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in 1941, Sister Eileen began her college education at Hunter College in New York and earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy with a minor in sociology from St. Bonaventure University in 1953.  She also completed her graduate work at St. Bonaventure earning a master's in sociology in 1958.

Sister Eileen was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on Aug. 15, 1941, and professed her final religious vows on Aug. 16, 1949. Sister devoted herself to the life and mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for 77 years.  

Sister Eileen began her ministry as an elementary school teacher in New York and New Jersey. She served as principal at St. Henry School, Averill Park, St. Louis School, Alexandria, Va., St. Agnes School, Blackwood, N.J. and St. Paul School, Highland Park, N.J. Sister semi-retired in 1983 and devoted her time as an elementary school librarian for the next 13 years.  In 2000, Sister retired first in Haddonfield, N.J. followed by West Medford, Mass., before returning home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 2014.

Sister Eileen is predeceased by her parents, a sister, Margaret; a brother, William; a stepsister, Sister M. Vincent de Paul, CSA; and a stepbrother, Father Bennett Devine, OFM.

A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 9, at 10:30 a.m., in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

 

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