May 20, 2025

OBITUARY: Sister Vivian Pyne, SSJ

REGIONAL
Staff report

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Sister Vivian Pyne, (Michael Agnes), 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass. on May 12. Born in Pawtucket, R.I., she was the daughter of John and Marie (LaBelle) Pyne.

Sister Pyne entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Pawtucket in 1951.  She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Pawtucket and earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee. She also studied at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., attended workshops on American Montessori education and belonged to the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Sister Pyne taught in Catholic schools in Diocese of Springfield including at the former Our Lady of the Rosary in Holyoke and St. Mary Academy in Longmeadow. She also taught in the Diocese of Providence at St. Rose of Lima School in Warwick and in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Paul School in Blackstone; Sacred Heart School in Gardner; and St. Mary School in Milford. She served as the original director of the Mont Marie Child Care Center from 1975-1987. She served on the staff of Genesis Spiritual Life Center, Westfield, as well as elder service research coordinator at Mont Marie in Holyoke. She was retired and a resident of Mont Marie Senior Residence prior to moving to Bethany Health Care Center. 

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her niece, Christine Santos, and nephews Michael (Patricia), Mark (Eileen), Thomas and Timothy Santos. Sister Pyne was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy (Stanley), and niece, Patricia Santos and an aunt, Sister Agnes Pyne, SSJ. 

All services for Sister Pyne took place in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke on Monday, May 19. She was laid to rest at Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, Mass. 01104.