In everything she did or was asked of her, Sister Alice showed an easy smile, laughing eyes, willing hands, and a gracious manner.
Sister Alice Maureen Darragh (Maureen) was born March 11, 1933, in Kearney, New Jersey. She was one of three children, two daughters and one son, of Patrick and Alice Burns Darragh. Maureen attended Saint Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Bronx, New York, and Cathedral High School in Manhattan. She worked for two years in the office of Western Electric Company before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1953.
Sister Alice earned a BA in Spanish from College of Mount Saint Vincent and a MA in Business Education from New York University. New York State awarded her certification in General Commercial education and in School Administration and Supervision.
Sister Alice’s forty-four years of ministry in education spanned elementary and high school in the classroom and administration. Her thirty-one years in elementary education were in the classrooms of Saint Joseph, Yonkers; Saint John the Evangelist, White Plains; Saint Stephen, Manhattan; Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, Bronx, and as Principal at Nativity of Our Blessed Lady and Saint Joseph, Florida, New York. Her years of high school education were at Cardinal Spellman High School, Bronx, where she taught Business Education and chaired the department, and at Cathedral High School, where she supported administrative clerical work and taught computer operations.
Sister Alice’s following years of active ministry were at the Sisters of Charity Center, serving for three years as the administrative assistant to the President of the Congregation and eight years in database services to the Center in general. In 2011, Sister Alice retired to Saint Patrick Villa, Nanuet, and in 2019 she joined the sisters at Saint Patrick Home, Bronx.
Over thirty years ago, when Sister Alice was asked how she was preparing for her retirement, she responded that she hoped “… a positive and joyous manner will mark my autumn years.” We can all attest that she achieved her wish, and certainly demonstrated the qualities by which she wanted to be remembered — “humorous, prayerful, gentle.” In everything she did or was asked of her, Sister Alice showed an easy smile, laughing eyes, willing hands, and a gracious manner.
Sister Alice, as you enter the mystery of eternal life, our tender God welcomes you to the place prepared for you.
Date of Death
January 12, 2020
Age
86
Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Ave., Bronx, NY
Friday, January 17, 2020, 9 a.m.
Reflection/Sharing: 10:30 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
Friday, January 17, 2020, 11 a.m
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery, Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Joseph, Yonkers
1956–59, Teacher, Gr.2 - St. John the Evangelist, White Plains
1959–63, Teacher, Gr. 4, 5 - St. Stephen, Manhattan
1963–65, Teacher, Gr. 5 - Cardinal Spellman HS, Bronx
1965–72, Teacher, Bus. Ed. - Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, Bronx
1972–76, Teacher, Gr. 4
Departmental 5
1976–81, Principal - St. Joseph, Florida, NY
1981–94, Principal - Cathedral HS, Manhattan
1994–00, Clerical Work/Computer Orientation - Sisters of Charity Center, Bronx
2000–03, Admin. Asst. to SC President
2003–11, Administrative Svs. Database - St. Patrick Villa, Nanuet
2011–19, Prayer, service, witness - St. Patrick Nursing Home, Bronx
2019–20, Prayer, service, witness
Sister Alice was an absolute delight to work with. All of the things she
hoped she was were so true–humorous, generous of time and learning,
an invaluable support to all at Cathedral.
Sister Alice always had a caring and loving smile that lit up her face and the room, a smile that came from her heart. She will be missed by all.
Sister Alice was my 2nd grade teacher at Saint Joseph’s in Yonkers. I absolutely loved her. She was so gentle and kind. May she rest in peace.
Rest In Peace dear Sr. Alice. What a joy to have met you.
Such a caring and kind soul. Rest in peace Sister
She was a blessing to know and my family loved her. She will truly be missed.
Denise, Gerry & Megan O’Neill
I had the pleasure of meeting and dealing with Sister Alice while my children attend saint Joseph,Florida N.Y I always referred to her as the little Boss, this was is a loving way.She was respected by the children and all that were in her circle of life.She had a way of getting her point across but always with a smile and a hand shake.She will be miss by many and i sorry to hear of her passing. I hope while she’s in heaven she puts in a good word for me. RIP sister Alice and thank you for all you did for all of us.We are all just passing through.
How could we forget Sister Alice and her cross over bag. She was stern but loving principal. Her generous heart is what I remember most. Her spirit and faith never faulted even during those terrible days at Saint Joseph’s. Thank you for being a great role model to our children. RIP your job on earth is done now rest with a Jesus.