Obituary of Sister Elaine Mahoney

Born: Elaine Anne Mahoney on February 1, 1930 in Camden, New Jersey. Died: December 12, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, New York. Daughter of James and Sarah Gushue Mahoney of Camden, New Jersey. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1951 and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1958. Sister Elaine lived the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany faithfully for over 60 years. She attended H.B. Wilson and Sacred Heart grade schools in Camden, New Jersey from 1937-45 and graduated from St. Mary of the Angels Academy in Haddonfield, New Jersey in 1949. Upon entering the convent, she continued her education at St. Elizabeth Teacher College, now known as St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, NY and in 1967, received her B.S. degree in Education. Sister Elaine furthered her teaching experience over several summers with relevant classes in urban Buffalo, New York and Virginia. After several teaching assignments which also offered exposure to Administrative opportunities, she decided to pursue graduate courses in Administration and Supervision at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts, earning a Master's degree in 1988. Sister Elaine's ministry was in education in several Congregational schools located in New York and Florida. She began teaching grades K-4 in Lakeland, Florida in 1950 and two years later, followed with several teaching assignments in Western New York, eventually serving as Principal at St. Patrick's in Buffalo, New York until 1971. Sister was intent on working with impoverished people and had an especially keen interest in serving in Bolivia. In an effort to master the Spanish language and move toward her goal of serving in Bolivia, she sought a teaching assignment at Corpus Christi School in Miami, Florida to gain experience and exposure to the culture. Although rewarding, eight years of a difficult language barrier proved a great challenge and redirection from her desire to go to Bolivia. Sr. Elaine accepted the position of Principal at St. Francis Xavier School in Fort Myers, Florida, where she passionately served until her retirement in 2001. Over those 22 years, Sr. Elaine's leadership is credited with an expansive growth of the campus, stellar community service and a notable level of academic excellence. Her achievements included implementation of a series of reaccreditations at the school, creation of their first computer lab and later, a new media center. She led formation of a before-and-after school program for local families, as well as the construction of a new playground and the addition of several new campus buildings. Toward the end of Sister's tenure, St. Francis Xavier was selected as a National School of Excellence and named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2005, Sister semi-retired to St. Elizabeth Convent in Tampa and continued to minister in pastoral care. Sr. Elaine was welcomed home to the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, New York in 2006. Sister Elaine is predeceased by her parents, sisters, June Langan and Jeannette Born and brothers, Michael, Charles, John, William and Joseph. She is survived by a sister, Charmaine Wilson, a brother, James Mahoney and many beloved nieces and nephews. A Wake Service is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, New York. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.