Sister Catherine Byrne, C.S.J., formerly Sister Mary Raphaella, a Sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, for 78 years, died June 9. She was 96.

She entered the congregation in 1935 from Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Red Hook.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from St. John’s University in Jamaica, and a master’s degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, Vt.

She taught locally at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School, Sunset Park, 1937-39; St. Pascal Baylon, St. Albans, 1939-43; St. Stanislaus Kostka, Maspeth, 1943-46; St. James, Downtown Brooklyn, 1946-49; Our Lady of Lourdes, Bushwick, 1949-50; and St. Brendan Elementary, Midwood, 1950-55.

After serving at Colegio San Conrado, Ponce, Puerto Rico, 1955-60; she returned to the diocese and taught at Our Lady of Perpetual Help H.S., Sunset Park, 1960-62; Stella Maris H.S., Rockaway Park, 1962-68; Holy Family H.S., South Huntington, L.I., 1968-72; Sacred Heart Chapel, Cobble Hill (Spanish Apostolate), 1972-80; and St. Mary Mother of Jesus School Library, Bath Beach, 1980-88.

Prior to retiring, she taught English as a Second Language classes at Community Coalition Inc., Brooklyn, 1988-91, and at the Prospect Park YMCA, 1991-94.

Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.