Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY

Welcome Sister Death

Sr. Francis O'Dell, OSF

December 10, 1947 – June 5, 2026 

Sister Frances O’Dell was born and named Rae Elizabeth O’Dell on December 10, 1947, in Poughkeepsie, NY. She peacefully entered eternal life on June 5, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY. Frances was the daughter of Raymond and Elizabeth (Deyo) O’Dell.

On September 8, 1965, Rae entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany; was received into the Congregation on July 2, 1966, receiving the name, Sr. M. Francis Stephen, OSF; and professed her final religious vows on September 8, 1973. Committed to the Franciscan Mission and Charism for over 60 years, Sister Frances shared her life, gifts and talents within the community and beyond with all whom she came in contact. She simply enjoyed sharing her Franciscan spirit!

Due to her father’s employment as a Federal Park Ranger, Frances moved to several locations in her early years; therefore, she attended many elementary schools.  Her last 6 years of junior/senior high school were in Homestead, Fla. where she graduated from South Dade Sr High School in 1965. It was here in Homestead that she met the Allegany Franciscans when she attended Religious Education classes. Upon entering the FSA, she pursued a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in History from St. Bonaventure University. In 1978, she was awarded an MA in Sacred Science, also, from St. Bonaventure University. 

For over 20 years, Sister’s main ministry was in the field of education both in the USA and Jamaica. In 1993, she redirected her gifts and talents as a certified reference librarian at Barry College in Miami, FL. It was here that she interfaced with many young men and women searching for needed educational information, however, she also touched many of their lives by sharing her faith, joy and love of all creation. She simply lived the Gospel!

While in Jamaica, she extended her time, energy and enthusiasm to “The Girl Guides Association of JA”. It was with Pat Shirley and Angela Harris (RIP) that Frances empowered young women through leadership, life skills and outdoor activities through this organization. She was her happiest when she was sharing her deep love for creation and the Creator. Frances was a true follower of St. Francis!

In 2016, Fran was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY where she has enjoyed the company of her Sisters. During this time, she volunteered in the Archives where she worked side by side with Ellen Winger, our Archivist. She relished delving into documents, writings, biographies etc. and sharing historical “tidbits” with the other Sisters.

Frances leaves in the Archives a 25-page document titled The Allegany Franciscan Experience: Considerations on Our Charism.

Sister Frances is predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Elizabeth O’Dell. She is survived by a brother, Steven and his wife, Denise. 

A Wake Service will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 4:00 pm in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 9:30 am in the Chapel of St Elizabeth Motherhouse. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Rest in Peace, Frances!

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 East State Street, Olean, NY 14760.

Sr. Carlina Tronconi, OSF

November 7, 1926 – June 8, 2026

Considering Sr. Carlina’s personal requests, there will be no obituary, eulogy, or personal reflections. She will be buried in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Sisters Attend Conferences

Sister Geane Araújo da Silva recently participated in the conference “Vocational Communities: Encounter, Witness, and Mission,” which brought together religious sisters, religious brothers, priests, seminarians, and laypeople to reflect on the challenges and prospects related to vocations.

The session was led by Father Guilherme Maia, of the Episcopal Commission for Ordained Ministries and Consecrated Life (CMOVC) of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), who explored issues related to discernment and listening, accompanying the various vocations present in the Church.

During the training sessions, participants engaged in moments of prayer, sharing, and learning, and reflected on the importance of human relationships as spaces for witness, care, and healing. The discussions emphasized that welcoming and fraternal communities are essential for awakening, sustaining, and supporting vocations.

Sister Geane said participating in the conference was an opportunity to highlight the importance of consecrated life in the Church’s vocational activity, as well as strengthening vocational culture and collaboration in the discernment of new vocations.



“It is the witness we give, through our lives and mission, to the beauty of following Jesus in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare,” she said.

On a conference-related note, Sisters Cleise Canté and Eloenia Soares, accompanied by Sister Aldenir, participated in the INTERES 2026, sponsored by CRB Regional Goiânia. With the theme “Social Media and AI,” the meeting was a time of reflection, learning, and sharing on the challenges and possibilities of artificial intelligence in evangelizing mission and consecrated life.

Sisters Jo Streva and Colleen Brady, along with Br. Louis Canter, will be leading the mini retreat St. Clare of Assisi: Mirror of Christ from 2 to 7 p.m. August 30. The cost is $40 in person (at The Franciscan Center) or $25 via Zoom.

For more information and to register, click the button:

BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners has been named one of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives of 2026 by Modern Healthcare Magazine. She was also featured in Investment Reports magazine.

Becker’s Hospital Review, the leading media platform for hospital and health system executives, wrote, “The future of health IT is being shaped by women who are completing the essential work of making healthcare smarter, faster and more effective.”

They named 170 women to know in that respect, and Stephanie Conners is one of them.