Sister Ellen Cecilia Pumphret, CSJ

(Sr. St. Margaret)

March 16, 1933 – March 5, 2023

 We Remember Her
In the opening of the buds and in the
rebirth of spring.

Ellen Cecilia Pumphret was a woman of deep faith. She was a resurrection woman. Is it any wonder that God called her home during this Easter season – a season of new life and hope, a season of promise?

Ellen was born in Boston to John and Margaret Ann Sullivan Pumphret. She grew up in Dorchester with her four siblings, John, Joseph, Peggy, and Frank. Ellen graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1950 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph. This was the beginning of seventy-three years of faithful, loving service to God and the dear neighbor. I am sure that her loving family and her beloved, life-long friends sustained and nurtured her on this journey of unifying love.

She began her ministerial life as a teacher at St. Andrew’s school, Forest Hills, and then at Sacred Heart, Weymouth, Fontbonne Academy in Milton. She was a teacher, and then a principal at St. Clement’s School in Somerville. If the pastor had his way at St. Clement’s, he would have kept Ellen as the principal for many years to come. There was not a single school or parish function that Ellen was not involved in. She became the principal at Arlington Catholic and then Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Brighton.

Ellen’s next years were spent in pastoral Ministry at St. Joseph’s Parish in Medford and Sacred Heart Parish in Newton Centre where her compassion, healing presence, gentleness, and prayerfulness, brought comfort to everyone she touched. She loved bringing the Eucharist to those who were confined to their homes. Whatever the need, Ellen responded day or late at night. She was so impelled by the active, love of God and neighbor.

Ellen answered the call from the Congregation to serve in leadership for the Sisters of St Joseph for six years where we were enriched by her gifts.

Motivated by God’s unconditional love, Ellen responded to another call to the become the Pastoral Minister at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham The residents were the recipients of her pastoral skills and care. I dare say she was a pastoral minister until the day she died, visiting with the residents and bringing her gifts of joy and a gentle presence to everyone she encountered. God certainly was the center of her life.

Given by Denise Kelly, CSJ
May 9, 2023