SISTER ELLEN GLYNN

Sister Ellen Glynn OSF (Sister Emmanuel Mary) April 4, 1917 March 5, 2012 Sister Ellen, 94, died at St. Ann Convent on March 5, 2012. She was born in Galway, Ireland. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1934. Ellen had two sisters who were also Franciscans, both deceased. Sister ministered primarily on the West Coast in Oregon, Washington and California. Ellen had an extraordinary gift of working with people of all ages. She was a primary and secondary school teacher and principal for many years. Sr. Ellen enjoyed teaching English, Spanish and Social Studies. She was well-qualified for these subjects since she attained a BA in education from Holy Names College in Spokane, WA. Sr. Ellen also received a master's degree in teaching from Eastern Oregon College, LaGrande, Oregon. After she retired from teaching she volunteered several years with the poor and elderly in Portland, Oregon at the Northwest Pilot Project. During that time that she volunteered she was also involved in advocacy work on State and Federal levels. In 1990, she received a Presidential Award at a White House ceremony for the Northwest Pilot Project's access to the arts. Sr. Ellen dazzled people with her great sense of humor and her Irish charm. Ellen was an avid reader, especially when it had to do with politics, and could challenge anyone in a debate. She loved her Irish heritage and returned several times to visit her homeland. She has a large extended family that she dearly loved. When she and her sisters visited Ireland they had a Galway welcome as large as Galway Bay. When Sister fully retired she came to St. Ann Convent 1999, which is the Franciscan Retirement Home for the Sisters in the West Coast. These final years were devoted to prayer ministry, especially for the missions in Africa where her brother Fr. Pat was a missionary. Her Jubilee Celebrations of 25, 50, and 70 were all very special occasions for thanksgiving, gratitude and joy. This year she had intended to celebrate her 75th Jubilee on St. Patrick's Day. One of her former students, Fr. Tom, had arranged to celebrate Mass for the special day. A dinner was to be given in her honor also. The sisters at St. Ann Convent speculate that she certainly will be celebrating instead in heaven with her parents, brothers, sisters, and the Franciscans Sisters who are deceased. Sister Ellen is survived by one sister, Teresa Power, in Ireland and two brothers, Michael Glynn and Martin Glynn, in England, along with numerous nieces and nephews and by her Franciscan Family. A special thanks to Franciscan Palliative Care and to the nursing staff at St. Ann Convent for their compassionate care of Sister Ellen. All services will be held at St. Ann Convent Chapel, 6602 S. Alaska St., Tacoma, WA 98408. The Vigil will be at 6pm Wednesday, March 7th. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am March 8th, 2012, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 6602 South Alaska St., Tacoma WA. 98408. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.