Obituary of Veronica Mary Louis

Born: Veronica Jane Louis on September 1, 1922 in Castorland, NY. Died: May 8, 2016 in the St. Clare Community of the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY. Daughter of Loren and Laura Hirschey Louis of Castorland, NY. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1946 and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1953. Sister Veronica Mary dedicated the next 70 years of her life to the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. In Castorland, she attended grade school at Castorland P.S. from 1928-36 and graduated from Lowville Academy High School in Lowville, NY in 1940. After graduation, she worked at a local manufacturing company, but youthful aspirations of a religious life and the possibility of missionary work abroad were never far from her thoughts. After a few years, she answered her early ambitions and entered the Order of the Franciscan Sisters. To her great delight, she was soon stationed in Brazil for a ministry of teaching, serving at times as a primary teacher and principal in the parish schools of Pires do Rio, Anapolis, Ceres and Cristalandia over the next 20 years. In the late 60's, Sister Veronica Mary was missioned to Alto Beni, Bolivia, where she continued to teach catechetics for several years. She later accepted future assignments in La Paz and Tarija, Bolivia ministering as school principal and serving multiple terms in Regional leadership while in residence at two religious houses. She returned to the U.S. in 1979 and accepted the role of Field representative for the St. Elizabeth Mission Society, where she provided tireless support to fundraising efforts over the next 18 years, helping to enable hundreds of grant awards that to this day, carry on the Franciscan Sisters' dedicated missionary work for the poverty-stricken in Jamaica, Brazil and Bolivia. Sister retired from active ministry in 2009 and was welcomed home by her sisters at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY. She continued a ministry of volunteering whenever there was a need in the house. Sister Veronica Mary is predeceased by her parents and brothers, James, Robert and William, as well as a sister, Pauline Richardson. She is survived by her sister, Helen Louis and several nieces and nephews. A Wake Service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2016 in the Chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 12, 2016 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.