Aston, PA—Sister Philomena Rosaire Glynn, OSF, 90, died in St. Ann Convent, Tacoma, on August 25. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 70 years. Sister Philomena Rosaire was born in County Galway, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1935 and professed her first vows in 1939. Her two sisters, Sister Teresa Helene Glynn (now deceased) and Sister Ellen Glynn, also entered the congregation. Sister Philomena Rosaire earned a B.A. in Education from Holy Names College, Spokane, and an M.S. in Education from San Diego College for Women. She ministered primarily in elementary education, both as teacher and principal. In later years she served in healthcare, working first as a chaplain and later as a volunteer.
Sister Philomena Rosaire ministered for 26 years in the Archdiocese of Seattle. She taught at St. Charles School in Tacoma (1958-1959, 1971-1974). From 1987-1997 she was a chaplain at St. Francis Community Hospital in Federal Way and returned there as a volunteer from 1997-2005. In 2005 she began ministering as a volunteer at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma, a ministry she continued until her death.
Sister Philomena Rosaire’s 10 years of ministry in the Diocese of Spokane included working with children at St. Joseph Orphanage (1944-1945). She taught at Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Tekoa (1948-1950) and at St. Charles School in Spokane (1951-1958).
Sister Philomena Rosaire’s ministry in education took her to various parts of California. She taught at St. John School in Wasco (1939-1944, 1945-1948) and at the School of the Madeleine in San Diego (1974-1977). She also served as principal of Our Lady of Guadalupe School in San Diego (1959-1960) and at St. Thomas School in Riverside (1960-1965). From there she moved to Worland, Wyoming where she was principal of St. Mary Magdalen School (1965-1971).
Sister Philomena Rosaire also ministered in Oregon. She taught at St. Joseph Academy in Baker from 1950-1951. From 1977-1987 she served as provincial treasurer for the former Sacred Heard Province and lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Portland.
All services will be held in St. Ann Convent Chapel, 6602 S. Alaska Street, Tacoma. The vigil/wake will be Sunday, August 30, at 3 P.M. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. on Monday, August 31. Sister Philomena Rosaire is survived by two sisters, Sister Ellen Glynn and Teresa Power; two brothers, Michael Glynn, and Martin Glynn; nieces and nephews; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
