Sister Colette Boylan; Taught in Local Schools for 40 Years

A funeral Mass will be said Thursday for Sister Colette Boylan, who taught in Southland schools for more than 40 years and once ran a kindergarten program in Woodland Hills.

Boylan, 72, died Saturday at Encino Hospital after a long battle with bone cancer, said Sister Donna Hansen, regional superior of the Sisters of St. Louis, Boylan’s religious order.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Boylan entered religious life Sept. 8, 1947, teaching in her homeland and England before coming to California in 1954. She then taught at schools in Northern and Southern California and, in 1979, became director of her order’s coed kindergarten program on the property of Louisville High School for girls in Woodland Hills.

After the kindergarten program ended in 1982, Boylan took a sabbatical in Spokane, Wash., then returned to teaching. Before her health worsened, she held several positions at St. Anselm School in Los Angeles, including art teacher and lunch program director.

In recent months, Boylan volunteered at a secular used bookstore where she was known to take on any job, always with a smile.

“She’s one of those rare ladies who comes through and is a joy to be with,” said Val King, who works at the bookstore. “She was an inspiration. She handled [her disease] beautifully. They don’t come any finer than that.”

Boylan is survived by a brother, Anthony Boylan, and a sister, Imelda Malin, both of Dublin.

A public viewing is planned from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. today at Louisville Convent, 22300 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills. A funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Anselm Church, 2222 W. 70th St., Los Angeles. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.

Bastian & Perrott Mortuary in Northridge is handling the arrangements.