Sister Sylvia Comer, R.S.M.

sister sylvia comer, r.s.m.
SISTER SYLVIA COMER R.S.M. Sister Sylvia Comer, 93 yrs., (Sister Mary de Porres), died peacefully on March 25, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Convent, Biddeford. Born in Bangor to Patrick Comer and Emily Mary Taylor, Sister Sylvia entered the Sisters of Mercy, Portland, from St. Mary’s Parish, Bangor, in 1947. During her eighteen years as a first grade teacher, she taught at Holy Cross School, South Portland; St. Edward’s School, Bar Harbor and Sacred Heart School, Portland. It was during this time that she also taught religion for ten years at the Boys Reformatory, now known as Long Creek. Sister Sylvia also responded to the Diocesan she taught Bible School via television throughout the Diocese demonstrating lessons with her first grade students. Sister Sylvia continued her education at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., receiving a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies. Upon her return, she was Diocesan Coordinator, engaging in religious education teacher training for the Diocese. After five years, she served as Pastoral Minister at St. Joseph’s Parish, Gardiner, joyfully sharing her gifts with the parishioners. Realizing Sister Sylvia’s natural gifts of prayerfulness, warmth and kindness, the Community assigned her to be the Formation Director for young women seeking a religious vocation. Her passion for Mercy was instilled to those in formation and she would often say, “You can only give what you have first received and we always receive much more than we can possibly give.” After eleven years as Formation Director, Sister Sylvia obtained a second Master’s degree in Sacred Theology at Regis College, Toronto, Canada. She then was assigned to St. Joseph’s College, Standish, as the Director of the Religious Certificate Program and developed fifteen sites throughout the Diocese. She also taught part time in the Theology Department. Realizing the need to develop the spiritual lives of the students, Sister Sylvia approached the Dean of Students and proposed an Office of Campus Ministry. Received with a positive response, Sister Sylvia was appointed by the Bishop as Co-Chaplain along with the priest on campus. Among the wide variety of opportunities for students was volunteer week. Going to Appalachia was received enthusiastically by students and Sister Sylvia as well. At 75, she eagerly packed up her sleeping bag and camping supplies and headed off to help build houses for those in need! Sister Sylvia also reached out to staff and faculty with the RCIA Program and Mercy Associates. After thirty years at St. Joseph’s College, Sister Sylvia retired in 2017. She served on the Board of Catherine’s Cupboard, and as a spiritual director as well as volunteering. Her presence was seen and felt in so many ways as she radiated Mercy. Sister Sylvia’s legacy is a life of love for God, tenderness for the downtrodden, and a heart filled with Mercy. Sister Sylvia often thought of her favorite quote when dealing with others, “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.” (Hafiz, 14th century Persian mystic) Sister Sylvia was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Helene Kelly, Patricia Barrett, Mary Ann Thibeau and Nancy Mulligan and her brother Lawrence Comer. She will be dearly missed by her brother Timothy and his wife Adrian, Colorado; her nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends and her Sisters in community. Sister Sylvia was most appreciative of the excellent care she received from the Staff at St. Joseph’s Convent, Beacon Hospice and for the kindness of each Sister she lived with. Visiting Hours will be held from 4-6PM on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A prayer service will immediately follow at 6PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Friday, March 31, 2023 at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. To view Sister Sylvia's Memorial Page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Joseph’s College, 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, 04084 or Sisters of Mercy, 966 Riverside Street, Portland 04103. Live Stream information: To view the Prayer Service for Sister Sylvia, please visit www.facebook.com/conroytullywalker Scroll down to the link that will direct you to the live stream.

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  1. Thank you Sister … Eternal Rest and Light Shine on your Soul …

    Agape,

    Brother Patrick

    Prayer will do more [to solve our difficulties]… than all the money in the Bank of Ireland. Let us pray well and never grow weary.

    Venerable Catherine McAuley to Aloysius Scott July 20, 1841

  2. Sister de Porres was my (and so many others) favorite teacher ever. She was such a sweet soul. At the Sacred Heart reunion she had a line of people waiting to say hello and thanking her for all her kindness. She made such an impression on everyone. A life well lived. RIP

  3. Sister Sylvia taught religious education and theology at St. Joseph’s when I attended in 1989-1993. She always had a smile and a kind word to share.

  4. Sister Sylvia was my RCIA leader at St.Joe’s. She was kind, patient and provided guidance as we journeyed through our sacraments. Thank you Sister Sylvia for setting such a wonderful example of Love for us to follow.

  5. Erin, Tim, Patrick and Keenan send their love and condolences to the Sisters of Mercy, especially Sr. Michele. Sylvia taught us the true meaning of hospitality and love. She always inspired us with her kindness and generous spirit. Although we hold very fond memories of our six years at St Joseph College with Sylvia as colleague, friend, family member, piano teacher, and wisdom guide, we also are so grateful for our more recent summer reunions and visits with her and the other sisters as well as the wonderful phone calls that would come “out of the blue” especially during Covid. Sylvia just wanted to check on us and hear how were were managing in the PNW. Our last phone conversation in January, we knew might be our last, and we shared our love for one another, our love for life, and gratitude of friendship. Sylvia always loved to share the story of our youngest, Keenan, “little Keenan” she would say (now 6’2″) blessing her with the sign of the cross before she departed for a spring break trip. Tim’s birthdays were never the same without Sylvia’s “hub cap” size chocolate chip cookies! Sylvia more now than ever is our saint and guardian angel showing us light, love and hope. God bless you dear friend!

  6. I met Sister Sylvia at the Sisters of Mercy NE Assembly. As a guest Mercy Associate, she welcomed me to our assigned table for the week. She was a model of Catherine McCauley’s hospitality, grace and humor. We shared many conversations about ministry and life in general. Getting to know her was a gift. Prayers for Sylvia and those who loved her.

  7. Hi to Sister nuns and Sylvia family, I was sad to hear of sister Sylvia passing. Rest in peace. Take care. From, Kristen Tully

  8. I attended SJC from 2000-2003. Sister Sylvia was one of my favorite parts of my time there. She was so kind and always smiling. I’m sure I’m not the only one who vividly remembers trying to get into Sister Sylvia’s line for ashes on Ash Wednesday, since she always gave you a nice little dot while Fr. John swiped a huge cross across your forehead 🙂

  9. Sr. Sylvia Comer was the kindest person & gentlest soul I’ve ever met. My fondest memory of her was when she came into my Honors Western Civ. class to do a guided meditation to help them with their performance anxiety and gave the students coping skills that I saw them use over and over. If ever a person has a seat saved for them at the right hand of God, it will be for Sr. Sylvia. I love her and miss her. 😪

  10. Beautiful soul that touch so many people. A true servant of God. Thru her caring and service to others she always taught us the grace of God. I learned from her about perseverance, dedication and peace. May God keep her in his glory. Farewell to my great teacher and friend.
    Mila Harding SJC class 1997

  11. Dear Family of Sr. Sylvia,
    Sincere condolences to you on the loss of Sr. Sylvia.
    Sr. Sylvia was my first grade teacher at Sacred Heart School back in the early 1960’s. There was a large tree outside of the first grade classroom window which Sr. Sylvia (then Sr. Martin de Porres) used to teach us about John 15-the vine and the branches story. This image of that tree which she used to illustrate the story has stayed with me all of these years and I remember Sr. Sylvia fondly. A life well lived and an inspiration to her former students.
    Shane (McGeough) Ellis

  12. I remember Sister Sylvia in prayer and also pass my condolences to all her wonderful friends including Sister Michele, her family and loved ones Sister Sylvia was truly an angel

  13. I remember Sister Sylvia as among the first people to welcome me at SJC fresh off the boat from Kenya. Mercy Week, Campus Ministry and especially traveling to Baltimore for Spring Break WorkFest. Sister Sylvia was so kind, spoke gently and with love and was infinitely patient. I will never forget the lesson from envelope with mystery amount of money at the start of the WorkFest at Beans and Bread.
    I am sad my efforts to see her in the past couple of years (flying all the way from Nairobi and later Seattle) did not come to fruition. But I am glad I got to speak with her severally in 2022. She ran a good race. 🕊️ Peace

  14. Sr. Sylvia taught me how to be a Sister of Mercy, and continued to support, encourage and be my spiritual guide for 40 years. A blessing from God is she!

  15. My dear Aunt Sylvia. Sister Sylvia de Porres is the name I remember her having when I first met her. I was young boy. She was wearing the tradition habit of Catholic nuns and I was impressed by her presence, later to learn she was the kindest soul I had ever met. Incredibly understanding of every single person she spoke with.

  16. My dear friend Sr Michele Aronica RSM,
    The rascal is among the angels. God bless her and you forever.
    Bill Valade


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