OBITUARY: Sister Chrysantha Bury OSBM, teacher, administrator, counselor (09/22/02)

OBITUARY

Sister Chrysantha Bury OSBM, teacher, administrator, counselor

FOX CHASE MANOR, Pa. - Sister Chrysantha Bury who touched countless young people's lives as teacher, administor and counselor, died on Tuesday, July 16.

Parastas services for sister were held on July 19. Officiating were the sisters' chaplain, the Rev. Thomas Hitchens, Msgr. Michael Fedorowich, Msgr. James Melnic, and the Revs. John Ciurpita, Basil Sivinskyj, and Ivan Hovhere. Archbishop-Metropolitan Stefan Soroka was the main celebrant and homilist at the funeral liturgy offered on July 20; he was assisted by the Revs. Hitchens and Hovhere.

In his homily at the parastas Msgr. Fedorowich spoke of Sister Chrysantha's most precious gift to those whose lives she touched - a generosity of spirit that helped those doubtful or confused about their life paths to look within and find the right answers. This theme of generosity was reprised in a eulogy delivered by Sister Dorothy Ann Busowski, who remembered Sister Chrysantha as the spiritual guide who had assisted her many years ago to confront the difficulties in her quest for a vocation. By asking bold questions that required bold answers and by giving generously of her time to do nothing but listen, Sister Chrysantha became a friend as well as a role model. "As a result," Sister Dorothy Ann commented, "I stand here today as a Sister of St. Basil the Great - as provincial superior - privileged to deliver her eulogy."

Serving by example without being judgmental, Sister attracted many vocations to the order. She was instrumental in encouraging many priests and sisters to value their vocations, showing through her service to the Church the joy of serving generously and passionately.

Sister's work as a nun began in 1936, when the 16-year-old daughter of Anna Basarab and Michael Bury entered the Order of St. Basil the Great as a novice. After making her final profession on August 28, 1945, Sister Chrysantha served her community and the Church in various ways. She taught at Immaculate Conception School in Hamtramck, Mich., St. John the Baptist in Pittsburgh, Ss. Peter and Paul in Auburn, N.Y., Ss Cyril and Methodius in Olyphant, Pa., and St. John the Baptist in Syracuse, N.Y. She also served as administrator of schools in the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia and the eparchies of Stamford, Chicago, and Parma.

In addition to serving her community as provincial councilor, Sister served the Order of St. Basil the Great as a general councilor in Rome from 1977 until 1983. In Rome she was a respected member of the household staff of Cardinal Josyf Slipyj. Closer to home, she used her experience in the field of education as an active and productive member of the board of trustees at Manor College.

Retiring to the Basilian Sisters' Motherhouse in 1994, Sister Chrysantha remained active in community affairs and served on various committees and commissions. She was a community archivist and translator. Up until her stroke a few months ago, she also took time teach English to newly arrived priests from Ukraine. Incapacitated by her stroke, Sister spent several months at St. John Neuman Nursing Home. She returned to the Motherhouse only weeks before her death.

Sister Chrysantha was laid to rest at the sisters' cemetery in Fox Chase. She is survived by three sisters, Tatian (Tess) Bury, Agnes Domasinsky and Elizabeth Wolfrum, and by several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by sisters Sophia Hanusey, Mary Grady, Olga Witowski and Vera Killiam.

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