Sister Evelyn O’Boyle entered into eternal life June 21, 2017. She was born November 5, 1932 in Galway, Ireland, the second child of Emmet and Eileen Greaney O’Boyle. She entered the religious congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, Ireland, in 1957 and made her profession of vows in 1959. In 1960 Sister Evelyn was missioned to the United Sates and spent the following 57 years serving the Church in Arizona. She taught at parochial schools in Globe and in Mesa prior to serving as director of religious education in Mesa and in Phoenix. She also ministered as a spiritual director and retreat director. Sister Evelyn received her undergraduate degree from Women’s College in San Diego and her graduate degree from Seattle University. She did further study at Regina Mundi in Rome and the Marianella Institute in Dublin, Ireland. Artistically and musically talented, Sister Evelyn studied and taught the Suzuki violin method. She created beautiful pieces of Carrickmacross lace. She considered her most significant achievement the development of the religious education program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, in the diocese and beyond. Sister Evelyn’s parents and her brother, Kevin, preceded her in death. She is survived by the Presentation Sisters of the U.S. Province, her sister, and brother-in-law Gearoidine and Ollie Kent, sister-in-law Charlotte O’Boyle, nieces, nephews and extended family. In lieu of flowers please make donations in her memory to Presentation Sisters Ministry Fund, 5151 Evergreen Ave., Cypress, CA 90630 or your favorite charity. Visitation & Rosary will be at 9 a.m. with a Mass of Resurrection at 10 a.m. Monday, June 26, 2017 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85012. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 North 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
Susan Perna
Oh how I loved Sr. Evelyn`s joy for The catechesis of the Good Shepherd. We had several opportunities to be on courses and when I came down from Canada, I always looked for her and could hardly wait to hear her take on life. She once shared with me that, ” It is as if I became a sister just to do CGS”. She also had a great fancy for nice lingerie and we laughed and laughed.
What a treasure she was here on earth and now with the Communion of Saints!
Susan Perna, Formation Director CGSAC, Canada
Lani Bogart
I had the privilege of being acquainted with Sr. Evelyn through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. What a loving heart and faith filled outlook she shared! Her generosity was remarkable.
May her soul rest in peace in the mercy of God and may the Perpetual Light shine upon her.
pamela contu-owen
My thoughts and prayers are with all who loved her.
She will be missed.
Frances Marino Pbillippi
A good friend my sister Annie Pbillippi,
Sister Evelyn cheered her up and gave her
Support in her cancer journey.
Hugs to All family.
Katie Messner
Dear family of Sr. Evelyn,
I am writing to offer my prayers to you and for the repose of Sr. Evelyn’s soul. But I also write out of joy, for my grandmother came from Carrickmacross (her name was Maryann Marron.). I never met Sister and I don’t know if Sister came from Carrickmacross or just made the lace, but if she did, surely she would have known my family on my mother’s side. (My mother’s name is Mary Theresa Walsh and her cousin is Fr. Tom Marron.)
I cannot help but see the True Vine in all of this and that is why I say I write to you in “joy”. I send my many blessings to you all!
Sincerely,
Katie Messner (Mary Theresa’s youngest daughter)
Karen Maxwell
I first met Sr. Evelyn in 1990 in formation for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Jackson MS. We shared several Formation courses over the years. She had a twinkle in her eye and delightful Irish quips. I appreciated our friendship and sharing CGS with her.
Anna Guida
Surely missed …….. but home with her BELOVED. May she continue working and helping all of us, Anna Guida
Sr. Marie Wall
I have great memories of Evelyn – she taught me piano in Crosshaven ( a long time ago!). My prayers and thoughts are with you all – her immediate family and her Arizona family. The Irish language expresses wishes very well – ” leaba i measc na naomh go raibh aici” ( translates as ‘may she have a bed among the saints’).
Sr. Marie Wall, Cork city, Ireland
Kristin Stephens
I first met Sister Evelyn when I entered the RICA program at St. Francis Xavier. She was “assigned” to me as I came into the program on my own and did not have a sponsor. At the time I had no idea how influential she would become in my life and my spiritual journey. As my classes came to a close I asked her to be my Godmother, which she graciously accepted. So many times in my life she was my rock. When silly things would get me worked up, she always knew just how to bring me back down to earth. I think of her often and will miss her deeply.