Sister Rachel Marie Pinal, PBVM

Sister Rachel Pinal entered eternal life on May 8, 2022. Born in Los Angeles in 1934 into a bilingual and bicultural family which provided the rich experience of the global family, Sister Rachel attended Our Lady of Lourdes elementary and Bishop Conaty and Our Lady of Loretto high schools in Los Angeles where Presentation Sisters taught. Her decision to enter the Presentation Sisters convent was a natural movement in her journey. Her vocation and experience of community life laid the foundation for a life of service to those most in need, especially those who were made poor. She was quoted recently, “I have lived through several lives called family, vocation, ministry in classroom, and an unexpected and much prized life – as a foreign missionary.”

Sister Rachel taught at St. Agnes and St. Anne elementary schools in San Francisco; and at St. Benedict, Holy Trinity, and St. Mary Magdalen elementary schools and Bishop Conaty High School, all in Southern California. Following Vatican II, Pope St. Paul VI asked for missionary volunteers, especially to Latin America. Sister Rachel responded, going first to Chiapas, Mexico, then to Nicaragua and Peru. She served on the pastoral team of parishes in Mexico and Los Angeles, and at the House of Ruth shelter for women and children in Los Angeles before beginning a lengthy period in Nicaragua where she managed two schools focused on educating children who had no other access to schooling. The schools led to diplomas or vocational skill training. In her missionary work, Sister Rachel was especially drawn to educating and assisting women and children.

After retiring to the Motherhouse in San Francisco in 2018, Sister Rachel continued service to those made poor, alongside the other Sisters in ministry at St. Anthony’s Foundation and feeding the local day laborers. She was known for her beautiful drawings and especially for her enjoyment of doing jigsaw puzzles for recreation.

She was predeceased by her parents, Grace Romo and Lawrence Anthony Pinal, and is survived by her loving brother Manuel Silva, his family and extended family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Sisters of the Presentation Motherhouse, 2340 Turk Blvd., San Francisco, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. A recent (2-3 days) negative Covid test is appreciated if attending the funeral; vaccinations including at least one booster and KN/N95 masking are required.

Memorial contributions to the Sisters of the Presentation are preferred and can be sent to Sisters of the Presentation, Development Office, 281 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118 in memory of Sister Rachel Pinal.