Her inspiration was the love of Mother Elizabeth Boyle in the 1850s for the immigrant orphans in the City. Almost every week she traveled to downtown New York to join a demonstration asking for legislation that provides better services for the poor and for newly arrived immigrants.
Sister Elizabeth Mary Butler, Sister Joseph Loretto, was born September 5, 1932, in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, Ireland. She was one of five children, two daughters and three sons of Patrick and Bridget McCauley Butler. After completing her education in the Irish National Schools, Elizabeth (Lily) came to the United States in 1948, not quite sixteen years of age. She attended Washington Irving High School in Manhattan and, after graduation, entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1951. She obtained her Certificate of Naturalization as a citizen in 1954. Sister Elizabeth received a BA in History from College (now University) of Mount Saint Vincent and an MED in Reading from Boston College. New York State awarded her Permanent Certification for Education (K-6) and Social Studies (7-9).
Additionally, Sister Elizabeth completed a program of Spanish and Cultural Studies in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and studied in Maryknoll Language School in Bolivia. In 1995 and 1996, she participated in the Career Options Program offered by Calvary Hospital in the Bronx and completed the Clinical Pastoral Education program of Holy Family Hospital in Massachusetts.
Her use of these educational opportunities is reflected in her fifty-five years of active ministry.
Sister Elizabeth’s forty years in elementary grades were served at Saint Joseph, Yonkers, Epiphany and Incarnation, both in Manhattan, Saint Athanasius, Saint Anthony, and Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, all in the Bronx, and Saint Joseph, Florida, New York. Her remaining years were in pastoral ministry, serving as Interfaith Chaplain at Saint Vincent Hospital and Medical Center, Manhattan.
When Sister Elizabeth retired in 2004, she continued at Schervier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in the Bronx as a volunteer Chaplain. These years also allowed her to become engaged with committees working for immigration reform. Her inspiration was the love of Mother Elizabeth Boyle in the 1850s for the immigrant orphans in the City. Almost every week she traveled to downtown New York to join a demonstration asking for legislation that provides better services for the poor and for newly arrived immigrants.
In 2011, Sister Elizabeth joined the retirement community of Mount Saint Vincent Convent and later moved with the sisters at Kittay Senior Apartments in the Bronx. Her roots in the Irish countryside gave her a love of nature and of working with the soil.
Sister Elizabeth died March 11, 2024, at Kittay Senior Apartments in the 73rd year of commitment as a Sister of Charity of New York.
The Gospel of Matthew reminds us of the words of Jesus, “The one who loses life for my sake will find it” (Matt 16:25). With unselfish love, you made your life a journey dedicated to justice and mercy for others. Go forward to the just One who waits to embrace you in eternal love.
Date of Death
March 11, 2024
Age
91
Wake
Monday, March, 18, 2024
8:45-10:15 a.m.
Vigil Service at 9:45 a.m. (Livestreamed)
Mount St. Vincent Convent
venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Funeral
Monday, March, 18, 2024
10:15 a.m. (Livestreamed)
Mount St. Vincent Convent
venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery, Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Joseph Elementary School, Yonkers, Teacher, 1954-56
- Epiphany Elementary, Manhattan, Teacher, 1956-64
- Incarnation, Manhattan, Teacher, 1964-67
- St. Athanasius Elementary, Bronx, Teacher, 1967-1969
- St. Anthony Elementary, Bronx, Teacher, 1969-1971
- Nativity of our Blessed Lady, Bronx, 1971-81
- St. Joseph, Florida, NY, Teacher, 1981-1994
- St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center, Manhattan, Chaplain, 1996-2003
- St. Joseph Nursing Home, Yonkers, Volunteer Bi-Lingual Catholic Chaplain, 2004-2004
- Schervier Nursing Care Center, Bronx, Volunteer Bi-Lingual Catholic Chaplain, 2005-2009
- Jansen Hospice at Schervier Nursing Care Center, Bronx, Volunteer Chaplain, 2009-2016
Rest In Peace, Sister Elizabeth. God Bless.
I had Sister Joseph Loretta in Grade 4 and Grade 7 at Epiphany School in Manhattan. I am a Religious Brother thanks to her. She was the Best teacher I have ever had. Over the years all of my students and faculty know of Sister Joseph Loretta. She was a great woman of Faith and taught us how to Love God in everything we do. I owe much to the Sisters of Charity. I know that Mother Seton and Mother Elizabeth Boyle are rejoicing with Heaven’s newest arrival. God Bless you Sister Joseph Loretta, I will NEVER FORGET YOU.
Love,
Brother David ( John Migliorino, Class of 1963, Epiphany School Manhattan.)
Brother David,
What a beautiful tribute you gave today! I became an English teacher because of Sr. Patricia O’Brien, and when Sr. Pat told Sr. Elizabeth, she gifted me several books that she used in her early teaching days -a real treasure. Thank you; hearing your appreciation of her and the Brazil lesson was both inspiring and heartwarming, giving peace to everyone feeling the loss. . God bless.
You are very kind, I am gald that the Sisters had a great impact on your life.
Peace,
Brother David
Condolences ……. what a heavenly reunion celebration and reunion !! HOME!
Sister Joseph Loretta, was the best teacher I ever had. Because of her, I am a Religious Brother and a Catholic School teacher and principal. I had Sister in Grade 4 and Grade 7 at Epiphany School in Manhattan. Sister made me love school, God and my Faith. I will always sing her praises. Every student I have had knows about Sr. Joseph Loretta, Every teacher I work with knows about Sr. Joseph Loretta. Please know no one can compare to this great Sister of Charity. Today she is with the God she loved so very much and now He is saying to Sister, WELL DONE, MOTHER SETON AND MOTHER ELIZABETH BOYLE ARE ALL PROUD OF YOU.
God Bless the Sisters of Charity, they made me a Man of Faith, I owe them so very much, Rest now Sister Joseph Loretta, your work here on earth is done.
love ya forever.
Brother David ( John Migliorino, class of 1963 Epiphany School, Manhattan)
RIP Sr Elizabeth such a beautiful woman
May she rest in peace. A life of learning and service that is at once extraordinary and the rule I’ve known from SCNY Sisters..
May her soul rest in eternal peace with the Lord. You probably worked with our cousin Sr Barbara Fitzgerald at St Athanasius in the Bronx. Thank you for lal your years of devoted service to the Lord.
Rest in peace and joy, dear Sr. Lily from Leitrim.
I had the privilege and pleasure of living with Lily at Epiphany Convent in the early 60’s along with two other wonderful young Sisters, Kathleen Sullivan and Margaret Mary Murphy ! Lily was, not only a mentor , but a joyful, considerate and faith filled companion to this fledgling Sister of Charity . Meticulous in all she she set her mind to , Lily went about her duties quietly and won the admiration and affection of her Community , students and parents.
Her memory will be for me, a blessing.
Suaimhneas siorai do Lily a chara. – May you rest in peace, Lily .
I am grateful to learn of Sr Elizabeth’s remarkable life story- that crossed my path, perhaps not knowing, from St Anthanasius to St Vincent’s , her image shows much of her inner spirit, with gratitude let me pray for her, and in thanksgiving for her life of much service.
Lily was an incredible woman who never stopped being interested and fascinated with learning, exploring and discerning. Most of all she brought a grounding “Presence” wherever she was
Always with us. Rest in peace Sister Lily.
May God grant you a generous share of eternity, Sr. Elizabeth.
So sad to hear of the passing of Sister Elizabeth. I have the most fond memories of Sister Elizabeth. She was my 5th grade teacher as well as other subjects at Nativity School in the Bronx. I enjoyed helping her after school with projects and she made an impact on all her students. She was so caring, Rest In Peace.