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Cecilia McCarthy Obituary
Sister Cecilia McCarthy, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on May 19, 2016 in Siena Hall, Sparkill, NY. Born in New York, NY on July 23, 1918, Kathleen was the daughter of John and Mary Stephens McCarthy. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on February 2, 1940 and received the name Sister M. Cecilia. She professed her first vows in 1941 and her final vows in 1946.
Sister Cecilia earned a BA in English, Manhattan College,1950, a BLS in Library Science, St. John University,1952 and an Administrative Certificate, Fordham University, 1976.
Sister Cecilia was a teacher in elementary and secondary education. She ministered in the Archdiocese of NY and the dioceses of Brooklyn. She taught at St. Theresa, Woodside, NY (1941-45); St. Joseph, Bronx, NY (1945-47); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Richmond Hill, NY (1947-52); Cathedral HS Annex, Bronx, NY (1952-58) and Albertus Magnus HS, Bardonia, NY (1958-60). From 1967-2001 Sister Cecilia was the principal of St. Martin of Tours in the Bronx. Upon her retirement as principal she volunteered in the school library for five years. In 1960 Sr. Cecilia was asked to serve as Novice Mistress for the congregation and she served in this capacity until 1967.
Sister became a resident of Dominican Convent in 2006.
Sister Cecilia is predeceased by her parents, her sisters Mary (James) Conlon, Eileen (Thomas) Kavanagh, Theresa (Patrick) Hughes and her brother John (Madelyn) McCarthy. She is survived by her nieces and nephews Shelagh (Gerard, dec.) O'Brien, Thomas (Sheila) Kavanagh, John (Janet) Kavanagh, Eileen (Peter, dec.) Hires, Patricia (Rick) Hugus, Patrick Hughes and Patti Pieper, Robert (Jennifer) Hughes, Edward (Colleen) Hughes, Arthur (Rose) Hughes, Timothy (Cathleen) Hughes, William (Armanda) Hughes, Jane (William) Muller, Kathleen Keane (dec.), Maureen (John) Demarco, Terri (Dean) Hastings, Susan Walden and James Conlon. She will be missed by many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill, NY, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. Visitation is on Monday, May 23, 2016 from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Dominican Convent, 175 Rte. 340, Sparkill, NY. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Dominican Sisters, at the above address, attention - Sister Mary Murray, President.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cecilia McCarthy
Sponsored by Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service, Inc. - New City.
6 Entries
October 19, 2016
Sr. Cecilia was a principle that was very respected and we admired that! She did a fabulous job at St. Martin of Tours (Bronx). May she rest in peace + .
Alberto Vargas
May 24, 2016
To my Dearest Sister Cecilia,
Words are not enough to express the hurt and sorrow I have to hear about your passing. May you find comfort and solace in the arms of our Dear Lord and Savior.
Thank you so much for putting me on the path to future success while I was a student at St Martin of Tours. You will be missed.
Love, Alberto Vargas Jr, Class of 1991
Ramonita Vargas
May 23, 2016
May her rest in peace
Melody Sellers-Washington
May 22, 2016
To the family of Sr. Cecilia. Please accept my deepest condolences. Sr. Cecilia was my principal at St. Martin of Tours. She taught me a lot including how to remember how to spell principal, her title, and principle, a basic truth or theory. She will be missed. God bless.
Melody Sellers-Washington, class of 1985
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
May 21, 2016
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
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Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service, Inc. - New City321 South Main Street, New City, NY 10956
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