Sr. Pauline J. Sweeney, SFP

Sweeney, Sr. Pauline J, SFP Sister Pauline Sweeney SFP (Sister Jeanne Marie) 89, passed into the very heart of God on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. She was the last living child of five children of the late Armand and Aldia Osea Bernier Sweeney born on June 21, 1936, in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Pauline first encountered the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor as a young patient at St. Peter’s Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Years later, as a teenager, she volunteered her services in the same hospital. As a young volunteer, she was deeply impressed by the devotion of care of the Sisters which planted a seed in her soul which blossomed into 71 years of meeting the needs of poor suffering humanity as a religious woman of God.

After her early years in formation, Sr. Pauline was asked to study to become an x-ray technologist. For many years she ministered in the radiology field in both hospitals and long-term care facilities in New York. Her patience, kindness and gentleness served her and her patients and residents well over many years.

Blessed with a welcoming personality, Sr. Pauline was recruited for additional ministries including vocational discernment, pastoral services and membership development.

Sr. Pauline was blessed with a gifted voice, which she used generously to praise God and celebrate with others as the volunteer Music Coordinator at St. Paul Parish in Yonkers, NY for over 30 years.

Sr. Pauline relocated from New York to Cincinnati in 2023. In this new challenge, she devoted herself to prayer and healing presence to fellow Sisters and Staff always with a smile and a kind word.

Sr. Pauline leaves behind her fellow Sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, devoted nieces and nephews and their families, along with many friends.

The Wake and Visitation will occur on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 9:15am in St. Clare Chapel followed by the Liturgy of Resurrection at 10am. The Liturgy will be livestreamed via Facebook at Franciscan Sisters of the Poor/U.S. Area. In lieu of flowers, kindly direct donations to Franciscan Ministries, 110 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215.