Sister Francis Rose Lapitino, IHM

“Remember me as kind and helpful”

Claire Lapitino was born in 1945 in New York City to Francis and Marie Lapitino. Her father was a corporate lawyer and her mother was an elementary school teacher. Her brother, Francis (now deceased), also became a teacher but he was both a junior high teacher and a principal.

Claire met the IHMs at Sacred Heart Grade School (33rd Street) and her classmate, Sister Ann Barbara DiSiano, at Immaculata High School. It has become apparent that “cleaning the convent” is a definite vocation strategy! However, the idea of having an IHM vocation was a specific invitation that Claire received during a high school retreat from Sisters Herberta Burns and Sheila Reilly. Sometimes an “invitation” is all it takes. Sister Marionette Coll was another influential IHM. Marionette was (still is!) the living embodiment of IHM joy!

Claire and 38 others entered in 1963 – before the impact of Vatican II was felt in the U.S. This was a transition time anyway because some of the practices that were definitely challenging were no longer in effect. I can personally recall that first day of school when the Sisters were wearing the modified habit! But, because of a new formation program, Sister Francis Rose was in the group that completed degrees before going on mission. So, from the college president to the youngest junior sister, habits
changed at the same time!

From student teaching in 1966 through to being stationed at St. Raymond’s in East Rockaway till 1986, “Franny Rose” was a primary teacher. Though she taught different grades, it was clear that she preferred the younger grades. This became more obvious when she became a pre-school teacher in 1986 at Our Lady of Mercy School in Forest Hills, NY. Her love for that experience was apparent and she remained in that ministry until 2013!

However, if you’ve noticed her departure date, you will realize that Franny was in Forest Hills on 9/11! And, while she couldn’t see the skyline with the missing Twin Towers from school; she could if she went shopping in another part of town. 9/11 is one of those events where we all remember exactly where we were when it occurred. Franny was just beginning her first day teaching preschool. While I’ve never taught this age group, I suspect that they can sense that something is very wrong. I’m not sure what I would do if I were responsible for a group of frightened children when I was truly frightened myself. Not only did she know a person who died in the attack, but also a mother also escaped death just because she accompanied her child to the first day of school. Living so close, it was possible to visit the site; see the destruction or visit the memorial reflection pools and find the name of a person she knew who had died that day. Still, Franny served at Forest Hills for 12 more years and then she became a teacher aide at Our Lady of Grace Montessori School on Long Island.

Returning to Scranton and the IHM Center in 2015 she served as an assistant in the Development Office (where she discovered they do so many more tasks beyond Silver Circle!) and as a Telespond Volunteer at OLP. Franny now serves as a trusted volunteer faithfully doing the delicate job of emptying out the rooms of deceased sisters. She is a welcome visitor among the sisters and often assists with feeding sisters who are no longer able to feed themselves. Just recently she was welcomed into a household in OLP.

Finally, a personal observation: it’s rare that I interview someone that is so attentive and personally available for as long as I wanted to chat. I can attest that her desire to be remembered as kind and helpful is already true.