Sr. Frances Ryan, SC

Newton- Sister Frances Ryan, SC, of Newton, formerly of Lexington, a beloved member of the Sisters of Charity, Halifax, Nova Scotia passed peacefully into our everlasting home on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Sister Fran, as she was known, was 92 years young!

Born Julia Frances Ryan on April 2,1929 in Lynn, she was one of six children born to the late William A. and Catherine J. (Brodbine) Ryan. She grew up in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn English High School.

Over the years, in addition to mourning the loss of her parents, Sister Fran missed her deceased siblings: Joseph P. Ryan, Kathleen A. Muldoon, Rosemary M. Alfaro, Rita J. Maher and Sally E. Ryan. Now they are all reunited in the heart of our loving God.

She received her B.Sc. in Elementary Education and a Massachusetts Teaching Certificate and a Certificate as a Reading Specialist from Salem State College in 1974. Teaching full time with other pastoral responsibilities, left her studying during the summer months for three years for her Masters' Degree in Pastoral Ministry and Religious Education at Emmanuel College which she received in 1980.

With a generous heart, responding to God's call to a vowed life, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1949, and made her Perpetual Profession of Vows on August 15, 1958. Sister Fran embraced her call to "serve those in need, in a spirit of humility, simplicity and charity, according to the circumstances of the times" (as stated in the Congregation's Constitutions).

A beloved and skilled Elementary School Teacher and Religious Educator for many years in different parishes and schools, Sister Fran expanded the horizons of her students and taught them the key fundamentals of faith…that God loves them as they are and that perfection was not a requirement for life's journey. Her most recent assignment was Director of Religious Education at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, in Newton.

To know Sister Fran was to love her. Many relatives and friends found a peaceful home in her heart. More than her significant professional achievements, Sister Fran's greatest gift was sharing the essence of who she was. She exuded a gracious generosity, an empathetic love and care for anyone in need, selfless kindness, a wisdom born of a prayer life, a gentle listening heart and a great sense of humor!

Sister Fran is survived by many cherished nieces, nephews and their families, her beloved Sisters in Community near and far, including Sister Marie LaBollita, SC her devoted friend and caregiver of many years.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Sister Fran's life by gathering to visit at 10:30am on Thursday, January 20th in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington St. Newton, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Needham.

The broadcast of Sister Frances' Funeral Mass will begin on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. at https://my.gather.app/remember/sister-frances-ryan-sc

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity, 125 Oakland Street, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02481