Shirley Ann Howe, SCN, 83, (formerly Sister Emmanuel) was born February 28, 1941, in Whitesville, Ky., to Joseph Herman and Bertha Mae McPherson Howe. She was one of the couple’s 13 children. She died on June 7, 2024, in Nazareth, Ky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 61 years.
Sister Shirley’s first mission was as a first-grade teacher at St. Ann School in Wollaston, Mass. She continued in education ministry as a grade school teacher at St. Andrew in Roanoke, Va., and St. Edward in Boston. In 1976, she served as principal for St. Margaret in Lowell, Mass. She also served as principal at Holy Name School in Henderson, Ky.
In 1988, she became involved in social services, serving the homeless and others in need for many years in the Boston area. She served as the assistant director of counseling services at St. Francis House in Boston. She was the service coordinator for Paul Sullivan Trust Housing, and the program supervisor for Pine Street Housing in Dorchester, Mass. In 2019, she retired from Pine Street Inn in Roxbury, Mass.
Sister Shirley had the opportunity to travel to India through the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s east-west exchange program. She spent three months in India.
As a Kentucky native, Sister Shirley hosted an annual Derby Party for her friends, Sisters, and Associates during her many years in Massachusetts. Upon her retirement to Nazareth, she enjoyed spending time with her Sisters in Community. She also enjoyed spending time visiting and reconnecting with her family. She was often seen participating in activities on campus, including the weekly art classes offered, some of which she led.
She is survived by her brother, Frank Howe, and her sisters, Martha Howe, Rose Mary Payne, and Millie Carrico; her extended family, and her religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Sister Shirley’s Funeral Mass will be on Monday, June 10, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, followed by her Wake at 6:30 p.m. All will be held at St.Vincent Church. Her funeral can be viewed at nazareth.org/live.
Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Houghlin Greenwell Funeral Home, 1475 New Shepherdsville Road, Bardstown, KY. 40004. Memorials may be offered to the Office of Mission Advancement, PO Box 9, Nazareth, KY, 40048.
I was Sr. Shirley’s secretary at Holy Name School in Henderson. We were always good friends and stayed in touch when she moved on to next mission. The last time I saw her was at her Golden Jubilee in Whitesville. We exchanged cards and updates at Christmas. She was very special and I am saddened. Pray for her and family.
Thank you, Shirley for being a truly inspiration to all of us.
This lovely woman—a gift to all—is so lovingly portrayed in the video. “…dart like sparks through stubble…” dear Shirley.
Always I smile when I see this video, always so full of deeds for others, done with joy.
Ah, what a lovely video capturing All the Memories of Sr Shirley. Her passing hovers over me even more, as sisters gone before her, causing me to silently scream Bring us Home your Holy Spirit, our lessons have given us Everything you’ve shaped us to be. Bring us Home now with Sr Shirley to your Earthly dream for us! I , We, Love You Sr Shirley remaining forever in Our Hearts. 💕 Debra Kehl 🙏
Ah, what a lovely video capturing All the Memories of Sr Shirley. Her passing hovers over me even more, as sisters gone before her, causing me to silently scream Bring us Home your Holy Spirit, our lessons have given us Everything you’ve shaped us to be. Bring us Home now to your Earthly dream for us! I , We, Love You Sr Shirley remaining forever in Our Hearts. 💕 Debra Kehl 🙏
Thank you dearest Shirley for your presence with us. You reflected the qualities of Catherine Spalding everyday…Simplicity, Humility, and Charity. Your compassionate service and gentle love for the most vulnerable inspired us. We now pray to your vibrant spirit to keep us steadfastly on the path of love ❤️
Anne Marie and Ann
I didn’t know Shirley very well, but have been arround the Howe family for many years. Frank is my brother-in -law. He and Carolyn have helped and assisted Shirley for many years. They will truly miss her
God will have a high place in heaven for Shirley.