From: Joseph R. Stanaitis
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 10:03 AM
Subject: Sister James Frances passed away 1:00 AM 5-17-07
Sister M. James Francis Coffey, OP, of Dominican Convent, Sparkill, New York, died on May 17, 2007 in Siena Hall Infirmary at Dominican Convent in Sparkill, NY.
Born in the county of Roscommon, Ireland, October 3, 1910 Julia was the daughter of James and Julia Cochrane Coffey. Julia entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on October 10, 1943 and became known as Sister M. James Francis professing her first vows in 1945 and final vows in 1950.
Sister James Francis earned a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College in 1958. During her professional life, Sister James Francis was a teacher/staff worker at St. Agnes Home & School in Sparkill, NY (1948-1970) and a domestic worker at Villa St. Dominic Guest House in Glasco, NY (1970-1982). Upon retiring she offered local community service in Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY until she became a resident of Siena Hall Infirmary.
Sister James Francis is predeceased by her brothers and sisters James Coffey, John Coffey, Margaret Cunningham, Della McGuinness and Catherine O'Neill. She is survived by her nieces and nephew Marion Wizbicki (John), Catherine Walsh, Lucy May, John O'Neill and many grandnieces and nephews. Sister is also survived by many relatives living in Ireland.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Dominican Convent, 175 Rte. 340, Sparkill, NY 10976, Monday, May 21, 2007 at 10:30 am.
Visitation is on Sunday, May 20, 2007 from 3:30 to 5:30 and 6:30 to 8 at the Convent.
Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Sparkill. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to : Dominican Convent at the above address, attention: S. Maryann Summa, President. HIGGINS FUNERAL HOME 321 So. Main Street New City 845-634-6110
From: John J. Antonacci
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 7:11 PM
Subject: Sister James Frances passed away 1:00 AM 5-17-07
TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS
IT SADDENS ME TO INFORM YOU THAT OUR BELOVED SISTER JAMES FRANCIS PASSED AWAY. I RECEIVED A PHONE MESSAGE FROM SISTER CATHERINE TAHANEY. I DEVELOPED A FRIENDSHIP WITH SISTER JAMES FRANCIS GOING ON 60 YRS AFTER I LEFT ST AGNES ALONG WITH MY BROTHER BOB AND HIS FAMILY, WITH CHRISTMAS CARDS PERSONAL VISITS SENDING HER PALLOR BAGS ETC.
SISTER ALWAYS ASKED ABOUT THE BOYS FROM ST. AGNES, THE HOUSE'S KIDS, SHE PRAYED FOR US DAILY SHE WAS VERY INDEPENDENT AND SPOKE HER MIND. THAT'S WHAT I LOVED ABOUT HER.
I HAVEN'T BEEN FEELING WELL AND TOMORROW I'M GOING TO THE HOSPITAL TO BE CHECKED. I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG MY STAY AT THE HOSPITAL WILL BE.
GOD BLESS,
JOHN ANTONACCI