Sister Mary Reynolds OP of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on February 1, 2023 in Montefiore Nyack Hospital. Sister was 87 years old and in her 69th year of religious life.
Born in New York City on February 2, 1936, Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Hubert and Mary Boylan Reynolds. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8,1954 and received the name Sister Marie Bernadette. She professed her first vows in 1956 and final vows in 1961.
Sister Mary received a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, 1959 and an MS in Education from Hunter College, NYC, 1964. She received Certification in CPE from St. Louis University, MO, 1981; Certificate in Spiritual Direction, Center for Spirituality & Justice, 1983, and Certificate/Retreat Associate from Upper Room Spiritual Center, 1992.
Sister Mary’s ministries included St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, Library Assistant (1956-1957); St. Agnes Home and School (1957-1959); St. Anthony School, Nanuet, NY (1959-1960); Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Middletown, NY (1960-1961); Thorpe Secretarial School, NYC (1961-1964); Albertus Magnus HS, Bardonia, NY (1964-1966); Rosary Academy, Sparkill, NY (1966-1972); Executive Team Member (1972-1980); Secretary, Thorpe Village, Sparkill, NY (1980-1981); Chaplain, Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, NY(1982-1984); President of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill (1984-1988); Springbank Program, South Carolina (1988-1989); Chaplain, River Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ (1989-1992); Emmaus House, Counselor (1989-1993). From 1993 until 2016, Sister Mary served the congregation as Director of Creative Aging and Director of Dominican Center.
Sister Mary is predeceased by her parents Hubert and Mary Boylan Reynolds and her sisters, Patricia McDonald, Eileen DePaolo (Mike) and Joan Radloff. She is survived by her brother John Reynolds, beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Sister Mary made a difference in the lives of so many as educator, administrator, spiritual director, chaplain, and in Congregational Leadership. Her gentleness, care and concern for others were reflected throughout her life. Sister Mary embodied the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill in word and deed in her ministry for justice and reverence for all God’s creation. May she be welcomed into the fullness of God’s presence. Well done good and faithful servant, Sister Mary Reynolds! May the road rise up to meet you and may God hold you in the palm of His hands.