Sr. Cynthia

Howe

Sister Cynthia Howe, OSF

Sister Cynthia Howe, 96, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, died at Assisi Heights on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Kathleen Joyce Howe was born on October 29, 1930, in Austin, Minnesota, to Darwin and Zeralda (Smith) Howe. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1951, received the name of Sister Cynthia, and made perpetual vows in 1959.

Sister Cynthia dedicated her life to caring for others, living out the Franciscan values of compassion, humility, and service. Through her work in nursing and health care, she brought comfort and kindness to those in need, honoring the dignity of each person she encountered. Her nursing journey began in 1953 as a student nurse in General Surgery at Mercy Hospital in Portsmouth, Ohio. From 1956 to 1957, she attended St. Marys School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota. She continued her nursing ministry at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, serving as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Pediatrics from 1957 to 1958, Neurology from 1958 to 1959, Cardiac Surgery from 1959 to 1966, and then as Head Nurse in Cardiac Surgery from 1966 to 1981. In 1981, she served as a Laboratory Technician (Phlebotomist) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where she remained until 1994. From 1994 to 1999, she returned to St. Marys Hospital for supplemental work before retiring in 1999. Throughout her years of service, Sister Cynthia shared her gifts generously, offering compassionate care and reflecting the Franciscan spirit of love and service to others.

Survivors of Sister Cynthia include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 75 years; sister-in-law Carole Howe; nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother Kenneth Howe.

A Resurrection Liturgy will be held at Assisi Heights at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. To view the funeral via live stream, go to www.rochesterfrancisan.org.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Donor Relations, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901