Remembering Sr. Veronica “Ronnie” Byrne, DW, 92, Sr. Veronica of the Cross, 4/3/27 – 3/30/20, 72 Years Professed.

Friends of Wisdom, we are saddened to announce the passing of Sr. Veronica Byrne, who entered into eternal life this morning, March 30, 2020. Sister died peacefully under hospice care at Sisters of St. Joseph Maria Regina Residence in Brentwood, NY, in the loving care of nurses and staff, comforted by phone calls and prayers from her Sisters in community. We are very grateful that the staff at Maria Regina Residence gave Deborah Ahrem (Wellness Team Leader at Sound Beach) special authorization to visit Sr. Veronica on a few occasions.

Sr. Veronica’s burial will be private, and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Sister Veronica, or “Ronnie,” as she was more commonly known, is fondly remembered for being unfailingly generous, affirming, and hard working. Humbly unaware of her giftedness and popularity, Sr. Ronnie was a talented educator who always managed to inspire her pupils to do their best; a person who, just by talking with her, made you feel special.

Born in Richmond Hill, New York to parents Harry S. and Veronica Howe Byrne, Sister attended P.S. 121 and went on to attend Our Lady of Wisdom Academy. Initially, there was no room at the Academy, but after voicing her disappointment to her family physician, Dr. Flanagan, during a routine physical exam, the doctor called the school and, miraculously, a spot had just opened, and she was enrolled. Throughout her four years at OLWA, Veronica was impressed by the Sisters’ prayerfulness, and especially their devotion to Mary and their kindness and concern for their students.

One year after her graduation in August 1946, Sr. Ronnie entered the Novitiate in Ottawa, Canada, and made her profession on February 2, 1948. She subsequently earned a B.A. in History and an M.A. in 20th Century History from St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York, followed by an MS in Religious Education from Fordham University in the Bronx.

Sr. Ronnie’s first assignment as a Daughter of Wisdom was at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Elementary School, right across from OLWA and near her family, where she would remain for 10 years. Initially, she taught grades 2, 3, 6 and 7, but is still remembered primarily as the 8th grade teacher because she taught that grade for so many years. She is also known for her beautiful singing voice and ran the choir that sang at every Sunday mass.

After ten years at St. Mary Gate of Heaven, Sr. Ronnie went on the spend the next decade teaching at Our Lady of Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, Maine. Her initial fear about traveling so far from home was assuaged by her brother, Tom, who gave her these words of Wisdom, “Why are you afraid of going to Maine? There are souls waiting for you up there.” Sr. Ronnie never forgot those words, which gave her strength during times of change and uncertainly throughout her life. Sr. Veronica made the journey to St. Agatha, where she taught history and physical education at the high school level. A self-professed “city slicker,” Sr. Ronnie was also called to help in the fields with the potato picking the following Fall, where she fell flat on her face the first day! She quickly gained her potato-picking stride, and also became affectionately known as “La Masse” (meaning the sledgehammer) by the young French-speaking boys in her class, because of her plucky wit and teaching ability!

After St. Agatha, Sr. Ronnie returned to New York to teach for over 40 years at Christ the King Diocesan High School in Middle Village. Eventually becoming Chair of the Social Studies Department, Sister taught civics and history, encouraging her students to get involved and keep up with current events. One of her pupils went on to become a New York judge, and another remains a key figure in politics to this day. Sr. Ronnie was also in charge of the Glee Club, renowned for its prowess, as well as the C.K. basketball team cheerleaders, which won a cheerleading competition while under her tutelage.

Following her teaching career, Sr. Ronnie spent a decade of semi-retirement and volunteer work while living at the Daughters of Wisdom convent in Elmhurst, followed by full retirement at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent in Sound Beach, where she remained a vibrant member of the community.

As we lovingly remember Sr. Ronnie, we celebrate her new life in Heaven, and we are strengthened by her words in recalling her brother’s sage advice, “Why should I be afraid? There are souls waiting for me.”

Prayer Service in Memory of Sr. Veronica Byrne, DW

Donations in Sr. Veronica’s memory can be made to https://secure.etransfer.com/EFT/BlockCode/donation1.cfm?d2org=DaughtersofWisdom&d2tool=donate