Sr. Pauline J. Sweeney, SFP
June 21, 1936—April 14, 2026
“Trust with all your heart. According to the measure of your confidence grace will be given you.” Blessed Frances Schervier
Sister Pauline Sweeney (Sister Jeanne Marie) 89, passed into the very heart of God on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. She was the last living child of five children of the late Armand and Aldia Osea Bernier Sweeney born on June 21, 1936, in Bedford, Massachusetts. Pauline fondly spoke of her childhood as being simple, yet full of supportive love through the presence of her extended family.
Pauline first encountered the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor as a young patient at St. Peter’s Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. It was only years later, as a teenager, she volunteered her services in the same hospital. As a young volunteer, she was deeply impressed by the devotion of care of the Sisters which planted a seed in her soul which blossomed into 71 years of faithfully meeting the needs of poor suffering humanity as a religious woman of God.
Pauline entered the Congregation in 1954 in Warwick, New York. She received the religious name of Sister Jeanne Marie. In 1957, she professed her First Vows and made Final Profession in 1962. Sr. Pauline was sent to St. Francis Hospital in New York to become a radiology technologist to serve in healthcare. Her first assignment was at Frances Schervier Home and Hospital in the Bronx in 1959. Little did she know that then, that would be the same setting where she completed her professional career in 1997. Over decades, she served some 22 years in the facility.
Besides Frances Schervier Home and Hospital, she also ministered in radiology at St. Mary Hospital in Hoboken, New Jersey, and Columbia Presbyterian in New York.
Sr. Pauline was blessed with a gifted voice and even studied voice at Pius X School of Music in New York. She used her voice to praise God and celebrate with others both in the Congregation and as a faithful Volunteer Music Coordinator at St. Paul Parish in Yonkers, New York, for over 30 years.
Within the Congregation, Sr. Pauline served as Membership Development Coordinator for the US Area for several years. In this position, Sr. Pauline assisted with spiritual programming, annual retreats and oversight of Jubilee celebrations. She vested herself in attempting to meet the needs of each Sister.
Blessed with a pleasant and welcoming nature, Sr. Pauline was invited into a variety of additional ministries over the years, including directing a volunteer program, working with discerning women and providing pastoral services in the work setting and parish.
In addition, her residence was always a setting that readily welcomed others, both friends and strangers. One could count on her for a warm welcome and a home-cooked meal.
In her lived sisterhood, Sr. Pauline lovingly cared for our fellow Sister Rita K. Kerr who was her dear friend. Sr. Rita was challenged with progressive dementia over several years which required ongoing supervised care. Sr. Pauline was Sr. Rita’s ever faithful friend, companion and care provider. Out of that experience, Sr. Pauline readily recognized the demands of health provision and was privileged to extend that same loving care to her brother Normand in his last illness.
Sr. Pauline relocated from Brooklyn, New York, to Cincinnati, Ohio in March of 2023. In this new challenge in her life, Sr. Pauline devoted herself to acceptance, prayer and offering a healing presence and witness to fellow Sisters and Staff.
Well, done, good and faithful Sister!
“You Are So Kind”
Kindness lived within her eyes
and in her heart, as well,
And love and faith, they lived there, too,
as anyone could tell.
All she learned, each gift she shared
helped others along their way,
In music sweet she praised her God,
what a joy it is to pray!
Her gentle smile and kindly ways
invited others near
To see reflected in her soul
God’s love that’s always here.
Below are some testimonials from Sisters and Associates who lovingly remember Sr. Pauline Sweeney:
The best word that captures the essence of our sister Pauline is kindhearted. She would consistently ask you, how you were with every greeting. She gave freely of her time and person which was witnessed by her loving care of fellow Sisters and her family members. May she now be embraced by Divine Love. Sr Marilyn Trowbridge, SFP
Pauline… an energetic woman who always succeeded to transmit joy. I had the opportunity to meet her back in 1968, when she had come for the General Chapter. It was then in our free time that she taught me to play the autoharp and then she sent me one. Instrumental music and singing were her natural talents! Every time we met, she happily spoke French… just a few words, but she was happy. I have some beautiful memories. Pauline, rest in peace and pray for us! Being far away I cannot embrace and thank you… I accompany you in Him with prayer! Sr. Francesca Atorino, SFP
Dear Sr. Pauline, I like to remember you with your music and your smile. I had the gift of sharing many experiences with you. What remains is the love we exchanged, welcoming one another, and mutual listening. I recall the mozzarella cheese that you looked for in New York for me, in the early days when I was there, to make me feel at home! I appreciated your ability to start over, to put yourself in the game, and to go on after difficult times. Now your home is heaven, with the song of the angels! Carry us in your prayers, so that God’s harmony may always resound in our Congregation. Sr. Licia Mazzia, SFP
Sr. Pauline was a very dear Sister. We collaborated for the liturgy of the 2013 General Chapter. We both played the guitar and she was very happy to share this service with me. Durin a trip to the United Stated she gave me something very important: a wooden statue of St. Paul. This small statue, dated 1958, used to belong to Sr. Paula Schenk. Sr. Pauline had received it as a gift and in turn gave it to me, so that the statue would continue to pass from one person to another to all the Sisters of the Congregation named Paula. I have this statuette and I have always prayed for the Sisters who have had it over the years. I hope one day to be able to give it in turn to the next Sister named Paula, who I hope will be part of our Congregation.
I thank God for the gift of Sr. Pauline, for her love for music and for Mother Frances, and for the legacy she has left us. Dear Sr. Pauline, pray for us all! Sr. Paola Zaccaria, SFP
I am so sorry to hear of her passing … we had many visits with each other in Brooklyn. She came to CHiPS and I visited her at her brothers home in Red Hook. She had one of the most beautiful singing voices. I will always remember her kindness and welcoming me. Sleep in Sweet Peace Sister! Associate SFP Denise Ingrassia
Sr Pauline visited Magnificat each time she came to Cincinnati from New York. My memories of her are ones of reaching out to others with her warm smile and gracious hospitality. She embraced us and made us feel special. In those moments we connected and felt her sincerity. Her beautiful gift of song blessed us all! It was her connection to the Divine and humanity. I can see her meeting Mother Frances as she is welcomed home with a joyful song of everlasting life! Peace! Associate SFP Anne Cabanas
