Sr. Virgina Crowell, RGS

Sister Virginia Euphrasia Crowell, died on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, MA after a long illness. Sister Virginia was 91 years of age and had been a Contemplative Sister of the Good Shepherd for 73 years.

Sister Virginia Euphrasia was born in Boston, MA in 1931, the daughter of Robert F. and Ruby (Neville) Crowell.   

After graduating from Mary Immaculate High School in Boston, MA, Sister Virginia Euphrasia entered the Novitiate of the Contemplative Sisters of the Good

Shepherd in Peekskill, NY in 1950. Sister Virginia made her first profession of vows in 1952 and pronounced her final vows in 1960.  

Sister Virginia Euphrasia engaged in the mission and work of the Contemplative Sisters in Peekskill, NY, Boston, MA, Garrison, NY, and Dix Hills, NY for 43 years giving of herself in the Altar Bread Dept. where she did the billing, and in the sewing room making vestments. For the last 30 years Sister continued her ministry of prayer as a Contemplative Sister.

In 2008 due to ill health, Sister Virginia was missioned to the Good Shepherd Center in Marlborough, MA and in 2012 Sister was transferred to Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, MA.

Sister is survived by her three sisters, Phyllis Clifford, Brenda Sullivan and Nancy Barboza and nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Sister Virginia on Monday January 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthias Church on Hemenway Street, Marlborough, and the burial will be at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home (www.collinsfuneral.com), 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough.  Expressions of sympathy in Sister’s memory may be made to the Good Shepherd Retirement Fund, 420 Hemenway Street, Marlborough, MA 01752.

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd were founded by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France in 1835, in the United States (Louisville, KY) in 1843, and in Boston in 1867.