Sister Frances Dryden, OP

Sister Frances Dryden, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on October 2, 2026, in Siena Hall, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY. She was 97 years old and living her 78th year of religious life.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 7, 1929, Frances was the daughter of Winton and Marie Louise Karst Dryden. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1948, and received the name Sister Mary Winton. She professed her first vows in 1950 and final vows in 1955.

Sister Frances received her BA in Education from Webster College, St. Louis, MO, in 1955; an MA in Latin from St. Louis University, MO, in 1965; and completed studies in Spanish at Hunter College, NYC, in 1971.

Sister Frances began her teaching ministry at St. Brendan School, Bronx, NY (1950-1951); Holy Redeemer School, St. Louis, MO (1951-1956); Little Flower School, St. Louis, MO (1956-1967), Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia, NY (1967-1968); St. Helena High School, Bronx, NY (1968-1975), Holy Family School, Staten Island, NY, Religious Education Coordinator (1975-1976); and St. Helena Commercial HS (1976-1981). From 1981-1988, Sister Frances served as secretary at St. Ignatius Nursery, NYC; Preston High School, Bronx, NY (1988-1996), and Dominican Center, Sparkill (1996-2001). Following a sabbatical at Marymount Center, Australia (2001-2002), Sister Frances served as secretary at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Head Start (2002-2003) and St. Dominic Convent, Blauvelt, NY (2003-2004). From 2004-2013, Sister Frances was a staff member in the Office of Financial Services, Sparkill.

Sister Frances is predeceased by her parents, Winton and Marie Louise Karst Dryden, and siblings Sister Marie Angelique, OP, Joseph, Marie Louise, Malcolm, Louis, Winton, Nancy, Geraldine and Clotilda. She is survived by Sister Constance Eleanor, RSCJ, Carmelite, Anne and loving nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Sister Frances was a woman who made a difference in the lives of children and adults in her ministry of education, pastoral work, and secretarial service. She carried forth the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill to proclaim the Word of God through ministry for justice and reverence for all creation. May she be welcomed into God’s presence. Well done, good and faithful servant, Sister Frances Dryden, OP! Rest in peace!