Sr. Agnes Connors, SHCJ

Agnes Connors, SHCJ

August 13, 1926 – April 20, 2024

Educator, Health Care Administrator, Pastoral Care Worker

Rosemont, Pennsylvania – Agnes Conners, SHCJ, a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus for 75 years, died on Saturday, April 20, 2024. She was 97. 

Sister Agnes dedicated half her life to serving the sick, aging, and dying. While challenging, her work was legendary in the Society and beyond. On Sister Agnes’ 70th Jubilee, she said, “It has not been all moonlight and soft music, but I would do it all over again.” 

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sister Agnes attended John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School, where she was taught by the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus. Her connection with the Sisters led her to enter the Society of the Holy Child Jesus immediately after high school. She made her first and final vows in 1948 and 1953, respectively. Her religious name was Mother Mary Genevieve. 

Sister Agnes taught for over three decades throughout the United States, including Saint Mary School in Melrose, Massachusetts (1948-50), Saint Anastasia School in Waukegan (1950-53), Holy Spirit School in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania (1953-55), Saint Charles School in Portland, Oregon (1955-67), Saint Ignatius School in Chicago, Illinois (1967-70), and Our Lady of Humility in Beach Park, Illinois (1970-72).

A former student from St. Charles recently shared the following about Sister Agnes, “My beloved Mother Mary Genevieve believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She comforted me when sorrows came throughout the years and shared joyful laughter and funny stories. She gave me the gift of my Catholic faith.”

In 1972, Sister Agnes shifted her full-time ministry from teaching to caring for the aging, ill, and dying. For the next 10 years, she worked at Calvary Hospital, a hospice and palliative care facility in the Bronx, New York. At Calvary, she was promoted several times, received the Archdiocese of New York’s Chaplain of the Year Award, and was the first woman to complete the National Association of Catholic Chaplain’s clinical pastoral education program. She was also the first woman to be certified as a Catholic Chaplain. In 1982, she accepted a position at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, as Director of Pastoral Ministry. From 1985-1992, Sister Agnes served at a retirement community in Newark, Delaware. 

Sister Agnes moved to the Holy Child Sisters community in Rye, New York, in 1992, to help with the aging and infirm Sisters. She then moved back to the Philadelphia area to volunteer at the hospice unit at Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital. She also experienced many pioneering ministries at Saint Eugene Parish in Primos and a retirement community in Haverford. 

In 2006, Sister Agnes officially retired from active ministry and lived in a women religious community in Marian Woods, New York. In 2009, she moved to Holy Child Center in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, where she contributed greatly. With her amazing memory, she delighted and often brought smiles to the Sisters and staff.

Regardless of where Sister Agnes served, her caring heart was always on call while providing comfort and support to others. She was well-loved by all.

Sister Agnes earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1955 and a Master of Arts in Education from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, in 1970.

Sister Agnes joins her parents, Philip J. and Agnes M. (Rogers), and her three brothers, Joseph (Margaret), Edward (Nancy), and William (Mary), and one sister, Mary (Joseph) Hannigan. She is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Holy Child Chapel, 1341 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont, Pennsylvania 19010. Preceding Mass, friends and family are invited to a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A Service of Remembrance will be celebrated on Thursday, April 25, at 4:00 p.m. at Holy Child Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus – American Province, 1341 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont, PA 19010, or made online at www.shcj.org/american/donate.