Sister Thomasine

W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home 1700 Washington Avenue Rensselaer, NY 12144 518-286-3400 Boncaldo, Sister Mary Thomasine RSM (Anna Boncaldo) died Tuesday, November 7, 2017, in Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, Guilderland. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 71 years. Born in Troy, New York, she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Maria Gruber Boncaldo. Sister Thomasine earned a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Rose, Albany, and a master's degree from Boston College. Her principal ministry was teaching. She taught in Blessed Sacrament and Vincentian Schools, Albany; Annunciation, Ilion; St. Patrick's, Johnstown; St. Patrick's, Watervliet; Our Lady of Mercy, Colonie; and St. Patrick's, Cohoes. After retiring from teaching, Sister Thomasine served for a year on the staff of the Still Point House of Prayer in Stillwater. She also ministered as House Coordinator at Community Maternity Services, Albany, offered outreach to residents at Hudson Shore Apartments, Watervliet, and volunteered at Bethany Hall Infirmary at the Motherhouse. Sister Thomasine enjoyed teaching, loved children, and genuinely enjoyed being with them. The love was mutual. She was "sweet" in the best sense of the word, caring about others and attentive to their needs. Although her demeanor was generally quiet and unassuming, she enjoyed surprising her opponents at Scrabble with obscure words. She often shared a joke, accompanied by her contagious laugh. When she became a resident at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, Guilderland, Sister Thomasine offered a supportive presence to both residents and staff, listening to their stories and praying with them. It was common knowledge that if a visitor brought a special treat intended for Sister Thomasine that she would share it with others, keeping little for herself, a sign of her spirit of simplicity and detachment. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the Ministry of Prayer. In a gesture reflective of her generous spirit and concern for the wellbeing of others, Sister Thomasine donated her body to Albany Medical College. In addition to her parents, Sister Thomasine was predeceased by her sister, Lucille Weiner. She is survived by many cousins as well as by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy. A wake will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 13, in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Prayer Service of Remembrance in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Liturgy will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, at the Convent of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff of Our Lady of Mercy Life Center for the great tenderness with which they cared for our Sister. Contributions may be made in Sister Mary Thomasine's memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.