Obituary for Sister Mary Celestine McCann
SISTER MARY CELESTINE (ISABELL) MCCANN, OSF
Sister Mary Celestine McCann embraced sister death on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY. She was 94 years of age and had been a Sister of St. Francis for 75 years. Isabell Teresa was born in Camden, New Jersey to Thomas Henry and Rita Trainor McCann. Isabell grew up in St. Anthony Parish in Camden, New Jersey and entered religious life on September 7, 1946. Sister Mary Celestine received the Franciscan Habit on March 25, 1947.
Sister received a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY and a Master’s Degree in English from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. She began her teaching years at St. Joseph School in Hoboken, New Jersey and was missioned there for 8 years. Sister then was sent to St. Mary’s School in Utica, New York where she spent 5 years. She was missioned back and forth between New York
State and New Jersey, spending 22 of her 51 years of teaching at St. Joseph School in Camden, New Jersey. Her last teaching assignment was to her home parish of St. Anthony, in Camden, New Jersey.
Sister Mary Celestine had a great love for bringing the children to God and as such, in addition to her regular classes, taught CCD instruction most of her teaching years. For six years on Sundays, she taught Religion to Special Education Students.
After retiring from teaching, Sister served as a Hospitality Minister for 15 years at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, NY, welcoming retreatants, and being sought out by them for her kind smile, and friendly face. Next, Sister was missioned for Community Service at St. Mary Chapel House in Baldwinsville, NY, spending five years there. Lastly Sister was a powerful Prayer Minister at the Franciscan Villa.
Sister will be remembered for her genuine love of God, His Blessed Mother, the angels and saints and all God’s people. Her deep spirituality was immediately evidenced in her love for everyone. An unkind word never left her mouth. Her warmth, generosity, simplicity and sincere love and concern have been felt by all who met her. She generously shared her unique qualities with her family, community and all God’s children.
Sister was pre-deceased by her parents, brother Bernard McCann and four sisters: Joan (Al) Adams, Suzanne McCann, Dolores (Thomas) Troncone and Rita (Robert) Smith. She is survived by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, brother-in-law Al Adams and several nieces and nephews.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Franciscan Villa, 6900 Buckley Road, Syracuse and will be available for viewing on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Carter Funeral Home Syracuse, or on Sister Mary’s memorial page following her services. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 47 Syracuse St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Reception following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Congregational Development Office, 225 Greenfield Pkwy. Suite 208, Liverpool, NY 13088.
Sister Mary Celestine McCann embraced sister death on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY. She was 94 years of age and had been a Sister of St. Francis for 75 years. Isabell Teresa was born in Camden, New Jersey to Thomas Henry and Rita Trainor McCann. Isabell grew up in St. Anthony Parish in Camden, New Jersey and entered religious life on September 7, 1946. Sister Mary Celestine received the Franciscan Habit on March 25, 1947.
Sister received a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY and a Master’s Degree in English from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. She began her teaching years at St. Joseph School in Hoboken, New Jersey and was missioned there for 8 years. Sister then was sent to St. Mary’s School in Utica, New York where she spent 5 years. She was missioned back and forth between New York
State and New Jersey, spending 22 of her 51 years of teaching at St. Joseph School in Camden, New Jersey. Her last teaching assignment was to her home parish of St. Anthony, in Camden, New Jersey.
Sister Mary Celestine had a great love for bringing the children to God and as such, in addition to her regular classes, taught CCD instruction most of her teaching years. For six years on Sundays, she taught Religion to Special Education Students.
After retiring from teaching, Sister served as a Hospitality Minister for 15 years at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, NY, welcoming retreatants, and being sought out by them for her kind smile, and friendly face. Next, Sister was missioned for Community Service at St. Mary Chapel House in Baldwinsville, NY, spending five years there. Lastly Sister was a powerful Prayer Minister at the Franciscan Villa.
Sister will be remembered for her genuine love of God, His Blessed Mother, the angels and saints and all God’s people. Her deep spirituality was immediately evidenced in her love for everyone. An unkind word never left her mouth. Her warmth, generosity, simplicity and sincere love and concern have been felt by all who met her. She generously shared her unique qualities with her family, community and all God’s children.
Sister was pre-deceased by her parents, brother Bernard McCann and four sisters: Joan (Al) Adams, Suzanne McCann, Dolores (Thomas) Troncone and Rita (Robert) Smith. She is survived by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, brother-in-law Al Adams and several nieces and nephews.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Franciscan Villa, 6900 Buckley Road, Syracuse and will be available for viewing on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Carter Funeral Home Syracuse, or on Sister Mary’s memorial page following her services. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 47 Syracuse St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Reception following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Congregational Development Office, 225 Greenfield Pkwy. Suite 208, Liverpool, NY 13088.