Obituary for Sr. Alvera O'Grady
Sister Alvera O’Grady, age 96, went home to God on Friday, January 1, 2021 at the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY. Sister was born one of six children to Harry and Pauline Belge O’Grady. Sister entered religious life in 1946 and remained a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities for 74 years. Sister earned a BS in Education from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. She specialized in primary education, working in schools in Florida, New Jersey, New York and Ohio. She loved teaching little children, and they in return adored her.
Sister spent 62 years in the field of education, 40 of those years were devoted to the children of the Diocese of Syracuse. Her service did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. She received the Humanitarian Service Award from the NY Association of Brain Injured Children in 1969 and the St. John the Baptist De La Salle Award for outstanding teacher in 1995. After retiring from teaching, Sister continued serving the people of God. She did volunteer pastoral care work at St. Joseph Hospital and other various nursing homes, comforting and lifting the spirits of those to whom she ministered.
Sister Alvera will be remembered for her prayerfulness, gentle spirit, love of children, laughter, quick wit and a smile that would light up a room.
Sister was predeceased by her parents; three brothers, Henry Jr., James and Robert; and two sisters, Pauline Jahnke and Louise Miesner. She is survived by several nieces, nephews and the Sisters of St. Francis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately at the Franciscan Villa on a date yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister Alvera’s name to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Congregational Development Office, 960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203.
Sister spent 62 years in the field of education, 40 of those years were devoted to the children of the Diocese of Syracuse. Her service did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. She received the Humanitarian Service Award from the NY Association of Brain Injured Children in 1969 and the St. John the Baptist De La Salle Award for outstanding teacher in 1995. After retiring from teaching, Sister continued serving the people of God. She did volunteer pastoral care work at St. Joseph Hospital and other various nursing homes, comforting and lifting the spirits of those to whom she ministered.
Sister Alvera will be remembered for her prayerfulness, gentle spirit, love of children, laughter, quick wit and a smile that would light up a room.
Sister was predeceased by her parents; three brothers, Henry Jr., James and Robert; and two sisters, Pauline Jahnke and Louise Miesner. She is survived by several nieces, nephews and the Sisters of St. Francis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately at the Franciscan Villa on a date yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister Alvera’s name to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Congregational Development Office, 960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203.