Obituary of Sr. Eileen Agnes Rynne, OSF

Born:   Eileen Agnes Rynne on December 4, 1920 in Bronx, NY

Died:   Monday, August 6, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY

Daughter of William and Beatrice (Collins) Rynne of Bronx, NY

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

She attended Our Savior School (1926-29) and Our Lady of Refuge School (1929-34) in the Bronx and graduated from St. Barnabas High School, Bronx in 1937. Prior to entering the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in 1941, Sister began her college education at Hunter College in New York and completed her B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Sociology from St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, NY in 1953.  She also completed her graduate work at St. Bonaventure earning an M.A. in Sociology in 1958.

Sr. Eileen began her ministry in elementary school teacher in congregational schools in New York and New Jersey. She served as principal at St. Henry School, Averill Park, NY, St. Louis School, Alexandria, VA, St. Agnes School, Blackwood, NJ and St. Paul School, Highland Park, NJ. 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, NJ followed by West Medford, MA before returning home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 2014.

Sister Eileen is predeceased by her parents, a sister, Margaret; a brother, William; a step-sister, Sr. M. Vincent de Paul, CSA; a step-brother, Rev. Bennett Devine, OFM and a cousin Sr. Catherine James, OP.

She is survived by her nieces, Virginia Richard and Susan Field of York Harbor, ME.

A Wake Service is scheduled for 6:30 PM, Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in the Chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, August 9, 2018 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.   (For obituary and condolences, visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.)