Funeral Mass was celebrated May 26 at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum in Los Angeles for Father Francis J. Seymour, 73, who died May 17.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Father Seymour graduated from St. Teresa Parish School in 1944. He completed four years at Little Seminary of St. Joseph and The Little Flower followed by two years at Canisus College. In 1951, he entered the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Japan. During his tour of duty, he completed evening college courses in history and philosophy at the Jesuit University of Sophia.

After his discharge in 1955, he worked as an insurance adjuster before entering St. John's Seminary in 1956. He was ordained by Cardinal James Francis McIntyre in 1961 and served as an associate pastor at Assumption Church, Pasadena; St. Anne, Santa Ana; St. Eugene, St. Brigid and St. Paul Churches in Los Angeles. He served as a Glenmary Missionary for a year in Mississippi.

In 1981, he was named pastor of St. Philip Neri Church in Lynwood where he served until July, 1988. After spending a combined 20 years in inner city parish work, during which time he co-founded the South Central Priests Association, Father Seymour was named pastor of St. Joseph Church in Carpinteria. His pastorship was followed by five years as an associate pastor at St. Genevieve Church in Panorama City from 1990-95.

Father Seymour's last assignment before retirement was as a senior priest at All Souls Church in Alhambra.

Sr. Eileen Mary Cotter, DMJ
Funeral Mass was celebrated May 22 at Nazareth House, Los Angeles, for Daughter of Mary and Joseph Sister Eileen Mary (Marie Chantal) Cotter, 91, who died May 14 at Nazareth House.

A native of County Kerry, Ireland, Sister Cotter was a member of her religious community for 71 years, and served as an educator at Catholic schools in California, with a specialization in linguistics. Her service included Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School, Los Angeles; St. Paul the Apostle School, Westwood and St. Augustine School, Culver City.

She also ministered to Hmong and Native American families in Banning, and taught at the University of Redlands. "Wherever she ministered, Sister Eileen inspired all to recognize and realize their unique giftedness," said Sister Catherine Sullivan. "It was her compassionate love for people of all ages and races that fired her to be the missionary she always wanted to be."

Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City. Memorials in Sister Cotter's name may be made to the Daughter of Mary and Joseph Retirement Fund, 5300 Crest Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.

Sr. Brenda Fielding, RSHM
Funeral Mass was celebrated May 21 at Loyola Marymount University's Sacred Heart Chapel, Los Angeles, for Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Brenda Fielding, 88, who died May 17.

Sister Fielding was born in Waterford, Ireland, and entered the congregation in Tarrytown, N.Y., in 1932. She received her B.A. at Marymount School, New York, and came to California in 1940. She spent most of her career as a first grade teacher in the Los Angeles area, serving at Marymount Junior School, Brentwood; St. Alphonsus School, East Los Angeles; and St. Francis de Sales School, Sherman Oaks.

She also was residence hall supervisor at Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes; taught and served as principal at schools in San Jose; and later served in Phoenix. She is survived by a sister, Cecilia, plus nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.