Sister Elizabeth Ehlers, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on July 17, 2024, in NY Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital. Sister was 79 years old and living her 62 year of religious life.
Born in Queens, NY on February 7, 1945, Elizabeth was the daughter of Charles and Sarah Karnes Ehlers. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8,1962 and received the name Sister Mary Charles. She professed her first vows in 1964 and final vows in 1974.
Sister Elizabeth received a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, 1967 and an MS in Education, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, 1974. Sr. Elizabeth was a Certified member of National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Sister Elizabeth’s ministry in education included St. Brendan School, Bronx, NY (1966-1968); St. Theresa School, Bronx, NY (1968-1969); and St. James School, Carmel, NY (1969-1975). Sister Elizabeth embraced a new ministry in pastoral care as Director at St. Adalbert Parish, Brooklyn, NY (1975-1984); Resident Chaplain at Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (1984-1985); Pastoral Care Director, St. Joseph Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (1985-2004); a Sabbatical (2004-2005); and Palliative Care Bereavement Consultant, Rockville Centre Diocese, Westbury, NY for many years.
Sister Elizabeth is predeceased by her parents Sarah and Charles Ehlers, her sister-in-law Patricia, and niece Sondra Louise. She is survived by her brother Donald, beloved nieces Donna and Denise, Fran Guastello, Sr. Catherine Marie Mc Neil, RSM and Dominican Sisters, Associates, and friends.
Through her ministry in education, Sister Elizabeth touched the lives of many children, parents and colleagues. In her ministry of pastoral care, she served the most vulnerable—those ill and in diminishment and those grieving the loss of loved ones. Sister Elizabeth truly lived the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill in proclaiming the mercy and love of God. May she be welcomed into the fullness of God’s presence–well done, good and faithful servant, our Sister Elizabeth Ehlers. Rest in peace!
Viewing and Mass of Christian Burial; Thursday July 25, 2024
Wake: 9:30 am; Prayer Service, 10:30 am
Click here for Wake Livestream link.
Mass at 11:30 am
Click here for Funeral Livestream link.