Sr. Mary Francoise Mulhern

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Sr. Mary Francoise Mulhern       

June 18, 1920-December 11, 2023

Born Mary Margaret Mulhern on June 18, 1920, Sr. Francoise was the youngest of eleven children.  Her parents, Martin and Norah, raised 3 girls and 8 boys who worked on the farm in Newport, Co. Mayo, Ireland.  As Francoise recounted, reflecting on her growing up, she brought food to her brothers in the field and helped around the house.  She often took long walks accompanied by the family dog.

On October 27, 1938, Francoise entered the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Rome, Italy. She made First Profession of Vows on April 26, 1941. She received a Certificate in Theology and Spirituality from Regina Mundi and continued Internal Ministry in our Mother House.  World War II was raging during this time and our Sisters suffered many hardships.  They reached out to Allied soldiers and Jewish refugees offering a safe place to come and receive food, shelter and compassion.

In 1945 Francoise went to St. Clare Convent in Heliopolis, Egypt.  She made her Final Profession there one year later. Her main Ministry in St. Clare School and Sacred Heart School in Alexandria was managing the Food Service for students and staff.  She also served in Immaculate Conception School in Cairo spending a total of 8 years in Egypt.  She learned Arabic and could recall some phrases even in her advanced years.

Francoise went back to Rome to serve in our Mother House.  Her skills of cooking, sewing, cleaning and gardening were greatly appreciated.  Then in 1960 she made her first journey to the United States of America to Tenafly, NJ, to care for our sick and elderly Sisters.

In 1961 she was assigned to Our Lady of Loretto Convent in Brooklyn, NY.  There she attended Long Island University and earned her New York State Teacher Certification.  Thus began her long and fruitful teaching career both in Catholic Schools and in Prarish Religious Education.

Francoise covered the map of the USA teaching in schools from New York City to Chicago to Boston, Syracuse, Savannah, GA, Union City, NJ and Rockford, Illinois.

In 1986 Francoise took a Spiritual Sabbatical to our Mother House in Rome.  Later she returned to Tenafly for a year of service then on to Binghamton, NY, where she taught first and second grade Religious Education.  Finally, she was assigned to St. Francis Convent in Union City to help serve the Sisters there.

In 2006 Francoise retired to our Convent in Tenafly but remained active, again helping around the house.  Little did she know that she would reach the venerable age of 103.  When she moved into the Infirmary she spent her days in prayer and reading Scripture.  Her Rosary and her Mass booklet where her constant companions.  Her love of nature was evident and her fondness for dogs never ceased.  The Mayor of Tenafly often visited with his two rescue dogs and Francoise would be the first to pet them and smile with joy.

Francoise never complained about growing older but frequently admitted to “being tired”.  Then on December 11, 2023, the Lord called her Home to her Eternal Rest.  Nurse Josan and Care Giver Liliana were with her, keeping her comfortable.  Sisters had been visiting her and praying with her in her final days and hours.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday December 19^th in our Convent Chapel where she spent many hours before the Blessed Sacrament praying. Now we pray for her to enjoy perfect peace and celebrate her First Christmas in Heaven.

We will miss you, Francoise, but now your Journey is complete.

With Love,

Your Tenafly Community

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