Sr. Francis Goguen, FSP

Sr. Francis was born in Rhinebeck, NY to George and Florence White Goguen. She attended St. Peter’s Elementary School in Albany, NY and Rhinebeck Central High School, graduating in 1949. Francis entered the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Peekskill, NY and professed her first vows in 1953. Sister Francis pursued higher education at Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY graduating with a BA degree in English. Later, she studied at New Paltz University where she earned an MS in General Education followed by studies at New York University earning an MA in Learning Disabilities.

Sr. Francis was one of 112 founding members of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace established in 1986.

In her early years of ministry, she served at St. Joseph’s Home, Peekskill, NY and Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Home, Bronx, NY. She was both teacher and child care worker in both agencies.

Besides her years at Kennedy and St. Joseph’s, Sr. Francis taught at three parish, elementary schools in New York, and one in New Jersey. She was a professor of Special Education on the faculty of Ladycliff College for six years before it closed in 1980. It was then that she joined the faculty of St. Rose College in Albany, NY as a professor of Special Education. At the same time, she was the Executive Director of Sunnyside Center, a community center in Troy, NY. Sr. Francis was active in several organizations working to meet the needs of all persons with disabilities.

During the last sixteen years of active ministry, though dealing with her own disabilities, Sr. Francis was a therapist and teacher to young men with special needs at the LaSalle School for Boys in Albany, NY. It was here that she was able to fulfill her passion and gift for helping those who needed a positive educational experience. She retired in 2003 and resided in Marian Woods, an adult residence for women religious.

Due to failing health, Sr. Francis moved to St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY in 2017.

She is survived by her brother, Paul Goguen and several nieces and nephews.

Since Sr. Francis donated her body to New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. A memorial mass will be celebrated in Marian Woods Convent Chapel on Thursday October 26th at 10am. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Yonkers, NY.