A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Alicia Donohoe, D.C., was celebrated March 13, 2014, at St. Louise House in Albany, N.Y. Burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Sister Alicia died March 8, 2014, at 92 years of age at St. Louise House in Albany. In 2013, she celebrated 71 years of vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Dorchester, Mass., on July 27, 1921, Sister Alicia was one of three children born to John J. and Anna E. (Murphy) Donohoe.
Sister Alicia was a 1938 graduate of St. Gregory High School in Dorchester. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md.
Upon completion of her initial formation, Sister Alicia was missioned to St. Joseph’s Infant Home in Utica, N.Y. (1943 – 1951); then to St. Vincent’s Home in Washington, D.C. (1951 – 1964); to St. Joseph Villa in Richmond, Va. (1964 – 1968); to Labouré Hall in Buffalo, N.Y. (1968 – 1970); Nazareth Child Care Center in Jamaica Plain, Mass. (1970 – 1976 and 1981 – 1985); Labouré Center in South Boston, Mass. (1976 – 1981); and the Astor Home for Children in Rhinebeck, N.Y. (1986 – 1992). Many of the children she cared for visited her throughout her life, often traveling long distances to see Sister Alicia.
While at Labouré Center, Sister Alicia visited and worked with the elderly. This helped prepare her for ministry to the elderly at St. Louise House in Albany where she served senior Daughters of Charity from 1992 to 1998 and served as Sister Servant from 1994 to 1998. Sister Alicia joined the Ministry of Prayer at St. Louise House in Albany and served there until the time of her death.
Sister Alicia was preceded in death by her brother, Jack Donohoe; her beloved sister, Rose McDonough, and Rose’s husband, John McDonough; two nephews and a niece. She is survived by her nephew Edwin J. McDonough of Needham, Mass.; and her cousin, a Daughter of Charity, Sister Mary Grace O’Neil of St. Louise House in Albany; her many children to whom she ministered throughout the years; and her Sisters in Community.