Sister Frances Patricia Degnan CSJ

1918 - 2021

Degnan, Sister Frances Patricia, CSJ LATHAM Sister Frances Patricia Degnan, CSJ, died on October 31, 2021, at the venerable age of 103. Sister Frances (christened Edna May Degnan) was born in Troy, on March 31,1918, the daughter of John and Irma Degnan. She was the oldest of six children and upon the untimely death of her mother when Sister Frances was 13, she assumed the role of a surrogate parent. After graduating from her beloved Catholic Central High School in Troy, N.Y., Sister Frances attended The College of Saint Rose for two years before entering the Sisters of Saint Joseph on September 8,1936. She pronounced her first vows on March 19,1939, and her final vows on August 15,1942. Sister Frances was a Sister of Saint Joseph for 84 rich and vibrant years and would have celebrated her 85th Jubilee this coming March. Sister Frances earned a bachelor's degree in French from The College of Saint Rose and a master's degree from the University of Montreal. In 1959, Sister Frances was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and spent a summer studying French at the Sorbonne in Paris. While receiving accolades from Senator Jacob Javits, Bishop Foery of Syracuse and many others, Sister Frances remained her humble and unassuming self. She remarked that her award meant more to others than it did to her and that the highlight of the summer, for her, was her time spent in Rome. Sister Frances was a dedicated teacher in the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses who treated her students with unceasing kindness and care. The hallmark of her teaching career was the love and affirmation which she bestowed on those entrusted to her. She brought out the best in each of her students because that was what she saw in them: their unlimited potential. She praised lavishly and nurtured gently, not only her students but her family and friends. She was a fiercely loyal sister, aunt and companion and to have her friendship was to possess a great gift. Sister Frances was also a deeply religious woman whose mantra was "God always gives the grace for what He asks" so " Don't you worry" and she mirrored that trust in her daily life. Both friends and family speak of Sister Frances as always " being there" for them, no matter what befell. Her lifelong concern for others and her hospitable heart brought her rich and enduring relationships that perdured. In addition to her teaching ministry, Sister Frances also served in her later years as attendance officer, secretary and librarian at Catholic Central High School as well as proofreader and secretary for both her community and the Diocesan Office. In all of these ministries, Sister Frances brought her meticulous care and unwavering devotion to her apostolate. Sister Frances was a lover of all things good including coffee ice cream from The Snow Man in Troy, homemade molasses crinkle cookies from a former student and a specially prepared tuna salad from a friend. To know Sister Frances was to be in the presence of goodness and grace and she will be loved and remembered by countless friends from the Capital District and beyond as well as her beloved Community. Special thanks to the many devoted health care workers who cared for Sister Frances in her final years. In addition to her parents, Sister Frances was predeceased by her sister, Rosemary Fandl; and her four brothers, Francis, Richard, John and Robert. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Shirley; and 15 nieces and nephews and their children with special mention of Agnes Bohl who served as liaison for Sister Francis and the family in Sister's declining years. Due to the continued health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation or funeral services for Sister Frances Patricia. A private wake service and funeral Mass will be held on Thursday night and Friday morning open to the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Sister's immediate family only. Contributions in Sister Frances Patricia's memory may be made to: The Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph's Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110.