Sister Carolyn Brink RSM

Sister Carolyn Brink passed away on June 17, 2025, at the age of 82. She was a Sister of Mercy for 64 years. Carolyn was the daughter of John Brink and Irene Cowen. She was the oldest of seven children and survived by all her siblings: Rosemary Finley, Ann Patterson, Mary Hurley, Betty Brink, Joseph Brink, Robert Brink, and her many nieces and nephews.

Sister Carolyn was born in Cincinnati on November 5, 1942. She met the Sisters of Mercy at Our Lady of Cincinnati College where she had received a scholarship. She joined the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1961. Carolyn earned her BA from Our Lady of Cincinnati College and her MA in French from Middlebury College. She taught French from 1966 to 1987.

In 1987 she moved to Richlands, VA where she did social work with coal miners and their families. She was especially involved with issues related to Black Lung Disease. After her return from Richlands, Sister Carolyn served on the Mercy New Membership Team for ten years during which she accompanied women interested in becoming Sisters of Mercy.

She retired from that ministry when Parkinson’s disease made it too difficult for her to travel. For over fifteen years she dealt courageously with her illness, doing everything doctors suggested would help her maintain her strength.

Among her gifts were a beautiful voice. She sang with the choir at St. Francis de Sales Church for several years. She was also a water-color artist.

In recent weeks as Carolyn found it increasingly difficult to get around, she was still doing physical therapy and participating in community functions. She passed away peacefully at McAuley Convent, the Sisters of Mercy retirement convent, where she had lived for four years. She asked to have her body donated to science.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated June 27, 2025, at 6:30 at McAuley Convent. Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of Mercy, McAuley Convent; 1768 Cedar Ave., Cincinnati, 45224. Condolences at hodappfuneralhome.com