Sr. Elizabeth Lennon

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Sr. Elizabeth Lennon

 February 27, 1940 – January 15, 2025

On February 27, 1940, though it was winter season in Ireland, a bright ray of sun shone on Derryneill, Athlone, Co. Roscommon. Elizabeth Lennon was born to Annie and Patrick Lennon. She would grow up along with her brothers James, Thomas and PJ, nurtured by their parents in their faith and love of family and all creation. 

Elizabeth responded to God’s call to Religious Life. She entered the Missionary Franciscan Sisters and did her Novitiate training in Rome, Italy, and made her Final Profession 1964. At Profession, she was given the name Sr. M. Jose.

Elizabeth’s life as a Franciscan Sister was filled with many and varied mission and ministry experiences. She was willing to move to places where the need was great. Her generous response saw her in Tenafly, New Jersey; Brooklyn, Binghamton, and Syracuse, in New York; Roslindale, Milton, and Norwood in Massachusetts; Statesboro and Augusta in Georgia. One of Elizabeth’s beloved missions was Our Lady of Pompei Parish, Syracuse, New York. She spent 25 years in ministry there. During the 25 years, Sr. Elizabeth involved herself in many parish activities including Election Day spaghetti dinners; the Food Pantry serving the needy; visiting homebound and those sick in hospital; sharing in Funeral Services for deceased parishioners and being a member of the parish choir. 

Perhaps though unaware, Elizabeth captured the essence of Celtic Spirituality: seeing the beautiful presence of the Divine in relationship with nature in and through all of creation; through prayer; and care for all in need. When asked about mission and ministry, Elizabeth’s response was: “I feel it is a call, a response to the present, whatever the need to respond to it and get involved. That is how we bring about a change in our world today and bring God’s love to others.”

Elizabeth looked forward to and enjoyed her visits home to family and friends. She helped on the farm and even was known to drive the tractor on occasion. She never lost her connection to our Mother Earth. 

In July 2023, Elizabeth’s health was in decline and she decided to retire to our infirmary here in Tenafly, NJ. She settled in well and her time was happy and peaceful. Since we are blessed on our 16 acres of ground to have an assortment of God’s animal creation, she went as she was able to see her favorites, the deer that are plentiful on our property. In her last few months her health deteriorated to the point she often needed wheelchair assistance. During that time, she was often taken outside or to a window to visit her ‘deer’ friends. Her eyes lit up when she saw them and they often lifted their heads in recognition. 

In her final days, Sisters and staff visited and prayed with her and she received the Anointing of the Sick from Fr. Sean Manson. She was extremely at peace in her final hours.

We thank Jane Loreto, our Administrator, the Infirmary Staff as well as the Priests, Staff and parishioners of Our Lady of Pompeii for their loving care and support of Elizabeth.

Arrangements are being made through Riewerts Memorial Home, Bergenfield, NJ. Feel free to visit their website: www.riewertsmemorialhome.com. 

The Funeral will be live streamed through them. The Mass of Christian Burial will be here in our Community Chapel and burial afterwards in our Community plot at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ.

Dear Elizabeth, may you enjoy your great reunion with your parents and brothers and our Franciscan Sisters, who welcome you home. Thank you, good and faithful servant for all you have been and given of yourself to us. 

With love!

Your Sisters in Tenafly

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