Sr. Frances Rooney SA

November 8, 1931 - December 7, 2019

Sister Frances Rooney (Brigid Ellen), age 88, a Franciscan Sister of the Atonement from Graymoor, died during the early morning hours of Saturday, December 7, 2019 in Lurana Health Care Residence at St. Francis Convent, Garrison, New York. Sister Frances was born in Creevelea, Glenade, Co. Leitrim, Ireland on November 8, 1931 to Brigid and Michael Rooney. Predeceased by her parents and siblings: John, Michael, Mary (Rooney) Kelly and Nuala (Rooney) Nealon, she is survived by her Sisters in Community, a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins who live in either England or Ireland. Brigid Ellen entered the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement as a Postulant in Ireland on August 15, 1946. The following year, she sailed to New York and arrived at Graymoor for the first time on November 1, 1947; there she entered the Novitiate on May 1, 1948. After her year in Novitiate, Sister professed her First Vows on May 26, 1949 and received the name, Sister Frances Xavier. Five years later, Sister Frances Xavier professed her Final Vows on August 28, 1954. Her years as an Atonement missionary spanned 70 years. She served in numerous parishes directing or coordinating catechetical programs and caring for the needs of parishioners through various pastoral ministries. Her parish missions included: California (Bakersfield), Georgia (Douglas), Maine (Rockland), New Hampshire (No. Conway), New Jersey (Camden), New York (Athens, Graymoor and Saranac Lake), and Rhode Island (Harrisville). Her retreat ministry included two terms (totaling 11 years), at the Washington Retreat House in Washington, D.C. For two years in the late 90’s, Sister was on staff at our former guesthouse in Rome, Italy where she enjoyed many of the sights and wonders of this amazing and ancient city. Sister Frances was also a gifted secretary. Sister had attended business school in Rhode Island, and sometime later, she became the Community’s Secretary General from 1991-1996. On numerous assignments, Sister was often the local superior or the assistant superior. As her senior years approached and Sister returned to Graymoor, she served as the Community’s local Archivist for three years until the age of 76 when she no longer was responsible for an active ministry. Always gentle and kind to others, Sister Frances had a great sense of humor and added joy to any occasion! She also had a great love for animals and children and had been a kindergarten teacher during her early years in Religious life. Sister will truly be missed by her Sisters in Community, her friends through the years, and her dear family. God rest your soul, Sister Frances. Watch over us from Heaven! On Monday, December 9, 2019, the Reception of the Body prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. and the Evening Prayer/Wake Service will be at 7:00 p.m. Sister’s funeral Mass will be on Tuesday morning, December 10, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. All Services are held at the Motherhouse chapel of St. Francis Convent, Graymoor. Burial will be in the Sisters’ Cemetery at Graymoor. Funeral arrangements by Dorsey-Carlone Funeral Home.