In Memoriam: Sister Constance Horan, SC

“Sister Constance was a faithful and innovative educator….Her students praised her for quiet expertise, understanding and encouragement.”

Sister Constance Horan (Sister Constance Marie) was born on May 17, 1913 in New York City, the eldest of three daughters and one son born to James and Catharine Whalen Horan. She attended Our Lady of Mercy School, Bronx, and Cathedral Elementary and High School, Manhattan. She completed her freshman year at the College of Mount Saint Vincent before entering the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1932. She earned a BA in History at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in History from Fordham University, and an MA in Home Economics from New York University.

Sister Constance was a faithful and innovative educator. She taught seventh and eighth grades at Our Lady of Angels and Saint Raymond School in the Bronx; Seton Academy, Yonkers; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Manhattan and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scarsdale. In 1949 she helped open the Home Economics Department at Bishop McDonnell High School, Brooklyn and at Cathedral High School. In 1961 she began her legendary years of service at Grace Institute. She served in many departments of adult education: fashion merchandising, clothing construction and tailoring. Her remarkable talents were especially recognized in the day and evening sessions of the Merchandising Department where she supported many immigrants in their choice of career. Her students praised her for quiet expertise, understanding and encouragement. She ministered at Grace Institute until 2003 when she retired to the Convent of Mary the Queen in Yonkers.

Sister Constance was chairperson of the Sisters of Charity Habit Committee in the years following Vatican Council II, when each Sister was free to choose her own mode of dress. Sister Constance made arrangements with David Chrystal Manufacturers to design outfits for those who chose to dress in simple, contemporary style. Her patience and thoroughness were respected and she remembers this as “a most unique experience.”

Welcome home, Sister Constance. You are a good and faithful servant who will be embraced by your God and all your loved ones.