Born in Queens, NY, Elizabeth was the daughter of Charles and Sarah Karnes Ehlers. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8,1962 and received the name Sister Mary Charles. She professed her first vows in 1964 and final vows in 1974.
Sister Elizabeth received a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, 1967 and an MS in Education, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, 1974. Sr. Elizabeth was a Certified member of National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Sister Elizabeth’s ministry in education included St. Brendan School, Bronx, NY (1966-1968); St. Theresa School, Bronx, NY (1968-1969); and St. James School, Carmel, NY (1969-1975). Sister Elizabeth embraced a new ministry in pastoral care as Director at St. Adalbert Parish, Brooklyn, NY (1975-1984); Resident Chaplain at Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (1984-1985); Pastoral Care Director, St. Joseph Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (1985-2004); a Sabbatical (2004-2005); and Palliative Care Bereavement Consultant, Rockville Centre Diocese, Westbury, NY for many years.
Sister Elizabeth is predeceased by her parents Sarah and Charles Ehlers, her sister-in- law Patricia, and niece Sondra Louise. She is survived by her brother Donald, beloved nieces Donna and Denise, Fran Guastello, Sr. Catherine Marie McNeil, RSM and Dominican Sisters, Associates, and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill, NY on Thursday July 25, 2024 at 11:30AM a.m. Visitation is Thursday July 25, 2024 from 9:30 to 10:30am at Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dominican Sisters at the above address, attention – Sr. Irene Ellis, Prioress.
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