Sister Frances White, (Walter Marion), (12/8/1939), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mary’s Meadow, Holyoke, Mass. on November 7, 2025. A native of Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Walter and Marion (Terry) White.
Sister Frances entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Family Parish, Springfield, Mass. in 1962. She graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned a B.S. degree from the University of Massachusetts in Physical Education as one of the first six young women to attain this degree. She went on to obtain an M.A. from Emmanuel College, Boston.
She taught Physical Education at Cathedral High School before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph. She then taught Physical Education for Postulants and Novices at Mont Marie before moving on to introduce Physical Education to Our Lady of Hope School, Springfield, St. Mary’s, Longmeadow, and Immaculate Conception in West Springfield, all at the same time. After obtaining an MA from Emmanual College, she began her ministry in Religious Education at Immaculate Conception Parish, Easthampton and then served as Pastoral Minister at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Agawam. After serving on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph, she served as pastoral minister at St. Rose de Lima Parish in Chicopee. Sr. Frances used the gift of a beautiful voice by singing at weddings and funerals.
In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Frances is survived by her brother, James (Kathy), and sister-in-law, Mary White, two nephews, Kevin and James, and a niece, Katie and grandnephews and grandniece. Sr. was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Marion and her brother, Donald.
All services for Sr. Frances will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut St. Springfield. She will be waked from 9 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.