Sr. Rhea Bean, Rsm

Sister Rhea Bean, RSM, age 79, of the Sisters of Mercy, died at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, New York on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. Born in Enosburg Falls, VT to the late Donald and Vivian Bean. She is survived by her four brothers Daniel, David, Larry and Philip and their families.

A Sister of Mercy for 61 years, Sister Rhea was gifted, talented, joyful, and prayerful.

Sister Rhea was an educator, a teacher of grades 1 and 3, 7 -12 and a Religious Education Coordinator. She taught in upstate New York in Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake, Rouses Point, as well as New York City and the Bronx. From 1978 to 1984, Rhea was a member of the Religious Education staff of the diocese of Ogdensburg, located in Plattsburgh, NY.

Her ministry experiences were many and varied. She was a member of the New York Mercy Leadership Team for six years and served as Provincial Administrator for eight years. She was Vocation Coordinator for Albany, Dallas, and New York from 1992 – 1996 and on the New Membership Team for Brooklyn, New York, and New Jersey 1996 – 1998. Rhea also served as Acting Principal of St. Catharine Academy in 1999 and was its first President in 2000.

In recent years she resided at Marian Woods, Hartsdale, New York and shared her gift of music by forming a bell choir and was also Leader of Song for a time. Rhea was very generous with her time and helped out whenever needed.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A memorial service will take place on Friday October 19, 2018 at Elderwood of Uihlein in Lake Placid at 11:00 AM with Fr. Art LaBaff, a reception will follow. Following the reception, burial will take place at St. Alphonsus cemetery in Tupper Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Sr. Rhea Bean may make memorial contribution to St. Bernard’s School. Friends and family may also sign the online guest book and leave condolences at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com