Sister Mary Felice Byrnes R.S.M.

Sister Mary Felice Byrnes, R.S.M. - SAVANNAH - Sr. M. Felice Byrnes, R.S.M. (nee Helen Byrnes) returned to the Lord on March 1, 2015, surrounded by members of the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Convent staff, family members and friends. She is predeceased by her mother, Elizabeth I. Byrnes and father, Joseph M. Byrnes and her siblings Joseph, Mary, Louise and Arthur. She is survived by 14 nieces and nephews and as many great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends. Born Helen Byrnes on January 26, 1917, she attended St. Vincent's Elementary School and St. Vincent's Academy. Leaving Savannah by steamboat, Sister entered the Our Lady of Mercy novitiate at Mt. St. Agnes in Baltimore, MD, on September 8, 1934. In 1940, she professed her final vows and was given the name Sister Mary Felice. She went on to receive a BA in Education from Mt. St. Agnes College. Sister Mary Felice spent 40 years teaching at various schools: St. Bernard's, Baltimore, Maryland; Sacred Heart School, Augusta, Georgia; St. Joan of Arc School, Mobile, Alabama; St. Anthony's School, Birmingham, Alabama; Our Lady of Sorrows, Homewood, Alabama; St. Ann's, Columbus, Georgia; St. James, Hopewell, Virginia; Our Lady of the Assumption, Atlanta, Georgia; Mt. St. Agnes Lower School, Baltimore, MD; Nativity School, Savannah, Georgia; and St. Francis de Sales, Salisbury, Maryland where she was affectionately known as the peach from Savannah, GA. Sister Mary Felice was a model for praying whatever the situation. She had her students stop and pray if a siren was heard indicating an ambulance, fire engine, etc. going by the school. In 1951, she returned to Savannah and to St. Mary's Home. Sister Mary Felice loved this time of her ministry in child care. She is quoted as saying: I taught, loved and cared for girls who needed help. The children often called her Mommy Felice. Sister served as the Assistant Mistress of Novices at Mount St. Agnes, Baltimore for the Sisters of Mercy. Soon her ministry took a turn, from caring for the very young to the care and concern for the retired Sisters at St. Vincent's Convent, Savannah, then onto the convent at Mount de Sales in Macon. Later Sr. Mary Felice served as the Coordinator for Mercy Convent in Savannah. Upon her return to Savannah in 1995, Sister moved into the Riley Residence on the St. Joseph's Hospital campus. She entered another phase of her ministry becoming a Eucharistic Minister at the hospital. Sister Mary Felice who loved to introduce herself as Sr. Happy, chose to live at Mercy Convent in 1996 and lived out the remainder of her life in daily prayer, voluminous correspondence to her family and friends, prayer and love of God. Sister Mary Felice was a delight for all those who came within the radiance of her sweet smile and twinkling eyes. The secret of her life was that of having a joy-filled, total, loving commitment to God. Her ring motto is: Through Him, with Him and in Him. The Wake will be held on Thursday, March 5 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church, with the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini. Interment will follow in Catholic Cemetery. Remembrances can be made to Mercy Convent, 11801 McAuley Dr., Savannah, GA. 31419.

Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel

Savannah, GA 31406

912-927-1999 www.fairhavenfuneralhome.net