Obituary of Sister Vera Agnes McCarron

Sister Vera Agnes McCarron, OSF died January 30, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. Born Vera Agnes McCarron on June 18, 1913 in Harvey, Albert, New Brunswick, Canada, she was a daughter of Philip McCarron and Agnes O'Connor McCarron formerly of Harvey, Albert, New Brunswick, Canada. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1945, and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1952. Sister Vera Agnes faithfully lived the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for more than sixty years. Sister received her B.Sc. in Nursing and M.S. in N. Ed from St. John's University in Brooklyn, NY in 1954 and 1961, respectively. As a nurse, Sister served as Nursing Supervisor, Director of Nursing, Director of School of Nursing, and Instructor of In-service Education at St. Clare's Hospital, NYC; St. Francis Hospital, Olean, NY; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Camden, NJ; St. Joseph's Hospital, Providence, RI; St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa, FL and St. Mary's Hospital, West Palm Beach, FL. In 1974, Sister Vera Agnes studied cosmetology to assist her in serving the retired sisters and nursing home residents in the area of skin and hair care. Sister viewed this ministry as an added dimension to her nursing career. For a short time, Sister worked at Villa Mary Immaculate in Albany, NY as a cosmetician. From Albany, Sister Vera moved to Tampa, FL where she served the Franciscan Sisters as cosmetician and activities director at St. Francis Residence until 1982. For the next six years, Sister resided in Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse and served as Assistant in Community Relations with St. Francis Hospital and as activities director for the Motherhouse sisters. In 1990, Sister retired to Florida where she volunteered at St. Joseph's in Lakeland and assisted with arts and crafts at St. Elizabeth Convent, Tampa. In 2001, Sister returned to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse where she resided until her death. Sister was predeceased by her parents; her brother Maurice McCarron; her sisters Grace Johnston, Berthenia Morris, and Alice Culbert. In addition to her Franciscan Sisters, Sister Vera Agnes is survived by her sister Mary Morris and several nieces and nephews. A Wake Service is scheduled on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at 6:30 P.M. at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse at 4:00 PM, on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Interment will take place on Thursday, February 5, 2009 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.