Sister Mary Frances Honnen (Sr. James Francis), 97, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke on June 25, 2019. A native of Newport, RI, she was the daughter of William and Winifred (Sullivan) Honnen.
Sister Mary Francis entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Joseph Parish, Newport, RI in 1939. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, Newport. Sister earned a B.S. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an M.A. from The University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Sister taught and chaired the Science Department at Cathedral High School, Springfield for eighteen years and served as Academic Dean at the College of Our Lady of the Elms for five years. She was Parish Minister and Administrator at Christ the King Parish, Tomkinsville, Kentucky. Sister Mary Frances held several positions in the Congregation including Director of Education, member of the Executive Board, and President from 1987-1993. During her presidency she was also a member of the governing board of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1996 she was a founder of the House of Peace and Education (HOPE) in Gardner, MA, where she served as its first executive director. In her retirement Sister continued as a HOPE volunteer in grant writing and produced the organization’s newsletter. In 2000 The College of Our Lady of the Elms awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and in 2003 she was honored by Cathedral High School for her contributions as teacher and department chair.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Mary Francis is survived by her sister-in-law, Grace Honnen of Maryland, and several generations of loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings William, James and Winifred Menchise.
All services for Sr. Mary Frances will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Friday, June 28, 2019. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 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.