Sr. Winifred Toomey

SISTER UNA TOOMEY

BORN: SEPTEMBER 2, 1933

BORN INTO ETERNAL LIFE: FEBRUARY 17, 2026

Sister Una Toomey was born on September 2, 1933 in Tipperary, Ireland, to Michael Toomey and Margaret (nee Quinn), the fifth child in a family of five: Kennedy, Dennis, Margaret and Eileen. Una attended the local schools and joined the Missionary Franciscan Sisters upon graduation from secondary school. Her three-year novitiate program, in the shadow of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, provided a perfect setting as she began her spiritual journey. Art and architecture and all the treasures of the city created a classroom like no other, and gave depth and appreciation to her more formal classes in theology and philosophy. Added to that, Rome is within striking distance of Assisi, the cradle of Franciscanism. The class made two trips there which are etched in their memories forever. Una so appreciated being able to sit and contemplate in the city where Francis and Clare were born. She was particularly impressed by the relational manner that Francis exhibited when dealing with people and she certainly made this quality her own. Being able to relate to people, to respect their opinion, to value their contribution, gave her long teaching career and time in administrative work a special blessing.

On completing the novitiate, Una was assigned to the United States, to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in East Boson, an immigrant Italian community. Elizabeth Hayes, our Foundress, in preparing to set out for the United States, was directed by Pope Pius the IX to make it her mission in the United States to care for the newly arrived Italian immigrants. The Italian community embraced Una’s warm personality and ease in companioning people and found in her a reliable support and trusted friend. Una was a born teacher, so to speak, and as her experience deepened and as she moved from one Italian community to another throughout the United States, she planted seeds of hope, was a shining example of the pioneering spirit, instilled a can do attitude that enriched our schools in Philadelphia, the Greater Boston Area, Syracuse, Chicago, and Brooklyn. To highlight the person of Una we will focus briefly on two schools.

As a very young Sister, Una was missioned to St. Mary of the Eternal in Philadelphia, at the same time as Sister Marian Bandille was assigned there also. The Bandille family lived in the vicinity, and every time Marian went home on a visit, she took Una along. Both became fast friends and Una was woven into the very fabric of the Bandille family. This friendship would last a lifetime giving color, beauty, and richness to all family celebrations and support in times when the sun was dimmed. On the day that God unexpectedly called Una home, Marian’s niece, Angela, was attending a Church event in North Carolina. On coming out to the parking lot, she was amazed to see a car with a Tenafly license plate and a nun in full habit standing near it. Rooted to the spot, she could not speak as she had just received the news of Una’s death! Coincidence? Or was Una letting her know that now all is well forever.

Sister Una dedicated fifteen years of ministry to Saint Francis Academy in Union City, New Jersey, in the capacity of Teacher, Principal, and Financial Manager. As Principal, she took the important step of forming an Advisory School Board which did much to strengthen the development of policy in the areas of faith development, finance, facilities, marketing, development and strategic planning. Sister Una helped put the Academy on the map by entering the students in the various State and Diocesan competitions. These well-prepared contestants always brought home many first place and second place prizes and the Academy became well known throughout the region. Mrs. Savage, the current Principal, was appointed in 2004 and Sister Una was given the responsibility of Financial Manager. This office she held with distinction until her retirement in 2009. While Principal, Una appointed Mr. Charles Tortorella, a renowned educator in the State of New Jersey, as President of the School Board. She had a gift for identifying talent and the charisma to bring that talent on board to further the mission. However, I believe, she would want his name mentioned here as friend. Sister Una, and indeed the entire Academy Community wants to also underscore what a special place Mrs. Savage will always have in Una’s heart. The pressures of time and space require that much be omitted - just to be complete, suffice it to say that Sister Una’s influence reached far and wide, even all the way to Sacred Heart School in Alexandria, Egypt, and to Assisi House in Dublin, Ireland, where she served as Local Minister for three years.

Sister Una, we will all miss you. May you rest in the arms of our loving God.

Your Sisters in Tenafly.

https://facebook.com//569335064986642/videos/2298384177315278