Obituary for Sister Marie Bernadette Wyman
SISTER MARIE BERNADETTE (BERNADETTE HELEN) WYMAN
Sister Marie Bernadette Wyman, age 92, went home to God on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the Franciscan Villa. She was born to David Wyman and Helen Tilston Wyman in South Dorset, Vermont. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis Mission of the Immaculate Virgin in 1947 and had been a Sister of St. Francis for 74 years.
During the course of her ministerial years, Sister earned a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and two Master’s Degrees from Fordham University, one in Romantic Languages and one in Social Work. She went on to add a third master’s degree in Theology from St. John University. All of this knowledge would be used to benefit the people placed in her care throughout her life’s work.
In 1948 Sister began her teaching ministry which she continued for many years. Then in 1964 she began caring for the homeless and orphaned children at Mission of the Immaculate Virgin at Mt. Loretto, Staten Island, NY. Sister spent one year as principal at Holy Name School in New Rochelle, NY and then returned to Mt. Loretto. Over the years Sister served there as teacher, social worker, and administrator. She was eventually appointed by Cardinal Cooke as Executive Director and held this position until 1990 when she became Director of Mission Effectiveness at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Sister’s leadership qualities did not go unnoticed by her Franciscan Community, when, after holding several governing positions, she was elected General Minister in 1992, a position she held until 1999. Her ministry then found her as Director of Religious Education at St. James the Apostle Church in Port Richey, Fl. until 2005. After this, Sister was appointed Director of Pastoral Care at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Sister Bernadette will be remembered for her spirituality, her lady-like demeanor, remarkable intelligence, and as a driving force for the unification of what is now The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
Pre-deceasing Sister were her parents, her brothers, David and Hiram, and her sister, Elizabeth Pagano. She is survived by the Sisters of St. Francis and many nieces and nephews.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Franciscan Villa.
Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, White Plains, New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities Congregational Development Office, 960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203.
Sister Marie Bernadette Wyman, age 92, went home to God on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the Franciscan Villa. She was born to David Wyman and Helen Tilston Wyman in South Dorset, Vermont. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis Mission of the Immaculate Virgin in 1947 and had been a Sister of St. Francis for 74 years.
During the course of her ministerial years, Sister earned a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and two Master’s Degrees from Fordham University, one in Romantic Languages and one in Social Work. She went on to add a third master’s degree in Theology from St. John University. All of this knowledge would be used to benefit the people placed in her care throughout her life’s work.
In 1948 Sister began her teaching ministry which she continued for many years. Then in 1964 she began caring for the homeless and orphaned children at Mission of the Immaculate Virgin at Mt. Loretto, Staten Island, NY. Sister spent one year as principal at Holy Name School in New Rochelle, NY and then returned to Mt. Loretto. Over the years Sister served there as teacher, social worker, and administrator. She was eventually appointed by Cardinal Cooke as Executive Director and held this position until 1990 when she became Director of Mission Effectiveness at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Sister’s leadership qualities did not go unnoticed by her Franciscan Community, when, after holding several governing positions, she was elected General Minister in 1992, a position she held until 1999. Her ministry then found her as Director of Religious Education at St. James the Apostle Church in Port Richey, Fl. until 2005. After this, Sister was appointed Director of Pastoral Care at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Sister Bernadette will be remembered for her spirituality, her lady-like demeanor, remarkable intelligence, and as a driving force for the unification of what is now The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
Pre-deceasing Sister were her parents, her brothers, David and Hiram, and her sister, Elizabeth Pagano. She is survived by the Sisters of St. Francis and many nieces and nephews.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Franciscan Villa.
Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, White Plains, New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities Congregational Development Office, 960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203.