Aston, PA—Sister Ellen Glynn, OSF (formerly Sister Emmanuel Mary), 94, died in St. Ann Convent, Tacoma, Washington, on March 5. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 75 years. Sister Ellen was born in Corofin, Curry Co. Galway, Ireland and was one of twelve children, six girls and six boys. At the age of 17 she entered the congregation in 1934 and professed her first vows in 1937. Two of her sisters also became Sisters of St. Francis—Sister Philomena Rosaire and Teresa Helene, both deceased. Sister Ellen earned a B.A. in Education from Holy Names College in Spokane, Washington, and an M.A. in Social Science from Eastern Oregon College, La Grande, Oregon. She ministered in education, social services, and prayer ministry.
Sister Ellen ministered in the Diocese of Portland for 28 years. She served at both Blessed Sacrament School in Portland (1971-1974) and St. James School in McMinnville (1974-1980). Sister Ellen volunteered at the Northwest Pilot Project from 1980-1999 as a visitor and friend to hundreds of downtown seniors. During that time she was also involved in advocacy work at the local, state and Federal levels; doing social work in Bethany (1984-1987) and working out of OLA Convent in Portland (1987-1999). In 1990, she received a Presidential Award at a White House ceremony, for the Northwest Pilot Project’s Access to the Art Program.
Sister Ellen’s 20 years of service in the Diocese of Seattle included serving at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma (1936-1938) and teaching at St. Leo School in Tacoma (1956-1962, 1968-1969). She moved to St. Ann Covent in Tacoma in 1999 where she ministered in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Ellen ministered in the Diocese of Baker for seven years. From 1938-1939 she served in the CCD office for the Baker diocese. She taught at Sacred Heart Academy in Klamath Falls (1962-1963) and St. Francis Academy in Baker City (1963-1967). She also served one year at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City (1967-1968).
Additional ministry included teaching at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in San Diego, California (1947-1950); St. Edward School in Corona, California (1953-1955); St. John School, Wasco, California (1950-1953). She also ministered for two years at St. Ann Home (1969-1971) and was a student at St. Joseph Academy (1955-1956) in Spokane, Washington.
Sister Ellen spent eight years on the east coast. She spent two years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the Shrine of the Little Flower School (1939-1941). She also spent six years in the Diocese of Washington, DC, at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bethesda, Maryland (1941-1947).
All services will be held in Tacoma. The vigil will be held on Wednesday, March 7 at 6 P.M., at St. Ann Convent, 6602 S. Alaska Street. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, March 8 at 11 A.M. Sister Ellen is survived by a sister, Teresa Powers; two brothers, Michael and Martin Glynn, nieces, nephews, and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
