Her depth of spirituality was a gift she lovingly shared with those with whom she worked and lived.

Sister Frances Devine (Sister James Marie) was born August 4, 1918, in Manhattan, one of three daughters and three sons of James and Julia Sullivan Devine. Frances attended Our Lady of Angels Elementary School, Bishop McDonnell High School, both in Brooklyn, and the College of Mount Saint Vincent, the Bronx, receiving a BA in History, before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1939.

Sister James Marie earned an MA in History from Fordham University, an MA in Theological Studies from Providence College, Rhode Island, and a Certificate in Theological Studies from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. In 1979, she received New York State Permanent Certification in Social Studies, and Administration and Supervision.

Sister Frances’ sixty-six years of full-time ministry were in the fields of education and pastoral ministry. For forty years, she ministered in high schools throughout the Archdiocese. She taught in and was Chairperson of the History Department at Cathedral High School, Manhattan, for eighteen years. She returned to her alma mater, Bishop McDonnell High School, Brooklyn, for one year and then was assigned to Cardinal Spellman High School, the Bronx, for thirteen years as Chair of the History Department and Assistant Principal, and then Principal. She moved to Rye, New York, to become Principal of the Academy of the Resurrection for eight years.

In September 1982, Sister Frances entered a year of study of theology and spirituality in Berkeley, California. At its conclusion, she began twenty-five years of service as a pastoral minister, first at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shrub Oak, followed by ten years as Outreach Coordinator at Maria Regina Parish, Seaford, Long Island.

In 1993, Sister Frances formed “People of Hope” and “Women of Hope,” through which she offered retreats and spiritual direction to individuals and groups to awaken a deeper awareness of self and God. In 2008, Sister Frances retired to Mount Saint Vincent Convent, the Bronx, and, in 2018, she joined the retired Sisters of Charity at Cabrini of Westchester, Dobbs Ferry, where she died October 5, 2020.

Sister Frances cherished her family and loved spending time with them. Students will remember her as an outstanding, firm, and fair teacher and administrator. Her depth of spirituality was a gift she lovingly shared with those with whom she worked and lived. She formed lasting friendships with sisters in the Congregation and the laity whose spirituality called her forth in ministry.

Sister Frances, faithful Sister of Charity for eighty-one years, we rejoice as you are welcomed by our loving God, your family members and Sisters of Charity who have gone before you. Rest in God’s eternal peace and joy.

In lieu of flowers, a gift to support the mission of the Sisters of Charity is a meaningful way to honor the memory of a sister who holds a special place in your heart. Secure donations may be made through our donate page on this website: Donate.

A prayer service for Sister Frances was live-streamed on Thursday, October 8 and may be viewed until November 7th: https://venue.streamspot.com/d286a8ab