Obituary of Sr. Phyllis Wulforst CSJ

Sr. PHYLLIS WULFORST CSJ

Latham-Sister Phyllis Wulforst, CSJ, 83, died Saturday, April 26, 2014, at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 20 years.

Sister Phyllis was born on May 24, 1930, in Scranton, PA, daughter of the late Harry and Rose McCormick Weiner. She received an associate's degree from Albany Business College and worked for the New York State Department of Law and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Marketing. Upon retiring from New York State, Sister Phyllis began nursing school but withdrew after an accident left her with the after effects of a broken knee. She later continued in the healthcare field as a home-health aide in Rome, NY. On August 24, 1994, Sister Phyllis entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and professed final vows on August 14, 1999. During her years as a Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Phyllis served as a home-health aide and as a parish minister at St. Peter's Parish, Rome, NY.

Sister Phyllis was a warm, caring and compassionate woman whose work with New York State was marked by efficiency and diligence and whose ministry with the sick and elderly was filled with concern, kindness and empathy. Her blue eyes sparkled and her smile lit up when she visited with family, friends and her cherished dog, Belle. A beloved mother, grandmother and Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Phyllis gave of herself generously and wholeheartedly, and her presence will be dearly missed.

Sister Phyllis is survived by three daughters: Virginia Reamer, Brenda (Arthur) Farrell and Loretto Wulforst; by three sons: Robert (Celeste), James (Diane) and Michael (Melanie) Wulforst; by 24 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; by many friends; and by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, Sister Phyllis was predeceased by her brothers, Milton and Jerome Weiner; by her sister, Eva Irving; and by many friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph, with special mention of her devoted friend, Sister Elisabeth Colby, who died May 10, 2013.

Sister Phyllis' funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 30, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. There will be a prayer service, celebrating Sister Phyllis' life on Tuesday evening, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel. Contributions in Sister Phyllis' memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home in Latham.