Sister Ellen Mary Conefrey Obituary

Conefrey, Sister Ellen Mary (Mary Colmcille), DMJ. Born October 3, 1927, in Corglass, Co. Longford, Ireland, the fifth of seven children. Died on September 3, in Paramount, California, one month shy of her 97th birthday, in the 72nd year of her religious life. At the time of her death, Sister Ellen was surrounded by her loving community and family members. Sister Ellen was preceded in death by her parents John Joe Conefrey and Bridget McKeon, brothers Seamus, Sean, Tommy and Charlie, sisters Anna May Williams and Lizzy Morris, brothers-in-law Fintan Morris, and John Joe Williams, nephew Tommy Williams and many beloved cousins, most recently Tom McKeon. She will be dearly missed by her sisters-in-law Sally Conefrey of San Francisco and Peggy Conefrey of Corglass, Co. Longford, as well as her nieces, nephews, and their families. Sister Ellen will be lovingly remembered by her wide circle of cousins, friends, and especially by the Daughters of Mary and Joseph and the community at Our Lady of the Rosary, Paramount. Sister Ellen entered the Daughters of Mary and Joseph in 1950 at Rosary Convent, Ballymahon, Co. Longford. After professing her first vows in1952, she was missioned to California. For the next 60 years, Ellen's teaching ministry touched the lives of her students and their families in Morning Star, San Francisco; St. Augustine, Culver City; St. Anthony, El Segundo; St. Louis de Montfort, Santa Maria and Our Lady of the Rosary, Paramount. Upon her "retirement", Sister Ellen continued to be quite active in Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, volunteering in the school and visiting the ill and homebound. Sister Ellen has been described as a "power house of prayer", endearing herself to both old and young. Her life of devotion, service and compassion will forever be remembered by all who knew her. Services will be at Holy Cross Mortuary Chapel and Cemetery, Culver City on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00 am Viewing; 10:30 am Rosary; 11:00 am Mass of the Resurrection, followed by burial. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sister Ellen's name to Daughters of Mary and Joseph Retirement Fund, 5300 Crest Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-5004.