Obituaries - Sisters of Mercy

Obituaries
Sisters of Mercy – South Central Community
Sister Mary Carmelita Peredo, age 88, September 23, 2016
Sister Mary Carmelita Peredo at Mercy Care Center in Tamuning, Guam.
She was a Sister of Mercy for 64 years.
Sister Carmelita was a teenager when the Japanese invaded Guam.
After Guam was liberated by the Americans in 1944, she became devoted
to the church and was attracted to religious life after seeing The Song
of Bernadette. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1952 and started her
lifelong ministry in child care, serving as the first administrator of Mercy
Heights Nursery/Kindergarten in Oka, where Guam Memorial Hospital
stands today. She later served at Infant of Prague Nursery in Tai, the first
day care center on Guam.
Sister Ann Beiersdorfer, age 79, September 22, 2016
Sister Ann Beiersdorfer died peacefully after a long illness McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She was a Sister of Mercy for 61 years.
A Cincinnati native, Sister Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in art at Our Lady of Cincinnati
(Edgecliff) College and a master’s degree in philosophy from Notre Dame University. She
taught art at Edgecliff and at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Sister Ann was a demanding but beloved teacher. She was known for her generosity and
great sense of humor, as well as for being a perfectionist who was extremely well organized.
For many years after she retired from teaching, she continued to do art work and also
volunteered each week at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, holding infants who were ill and
sewing for them.
Sister Helen McCreary , age 86, September 20, 2016
Sister Helen McCreary died at The Villa in Baltimore, Maryland, after a
brief illness. She was a Sister of Mercy for 69 years.
Sister Helen was a native of Macon, Georgia, where she met the
Sisters of Mercy as a student at Mount de Sales Academy. In addition to a
bachelor’s degree in education from Mount St. Agnes College, she earned
master’s degrees in history from the University of Dayton and in religious
education from Fordham University.
Sister Helen spent most of her life ministering as a teacher and
principal in Georgia and Maryland. She taught theology and history for
22 years at her alma mater, Mount de Sales Academy. She also served
as principal of Blessed Sacrament School in Savannah, Georgia; Shrine of the Sacred Heart in
Baltimore, Maryland; and St. Anne’s School in Columbus, Georgia. She had lived at The Villa
since August 2008.
Sister Maureen Ryan, age 81, September 3, 2016
Sister Maureen Ryan died peacefully after a long illness in Kingston,
Jamaica. She was a Sister of Mercy for 65 years.
Sister Maureen was born in Ireland but entered the Community in
Jamaica, where she ministered for most of her life. She made her perpetual
vows in August 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she also earned a Bachelor
of Arts degree in chemistry from Our Lady of Cincinnati (Ohio) College.
Among her ministries, she served as principal of Alpha Boys’ School
(now Alpha Institute) and of Mount St. Joseph Prep School, both in
Kingston, Jamaica. Sister Maureen had lived at The Claver Home in
Kingston since October 2008.
Sister Marie Chin, age 72, August 25, 2016.
Sister Marie Chin, an international leader, speaker and a beloved wisdom
figure, died peacefully after a long illness at Marian Center in Belmont,
North Carolina. She was a Sister of Mercy for 55 years.
Dedicated to the mission of the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Marie
practiced it in one of the poorest countries in the world. She was not only
attentive to the needs of her local area of Jamaica but also highly aware
of global issues and was constantly thinking of ways to engage others in
alleviating poverty and suffering. As a leader, she was soft-spoken but
visionary with a strong commitment to building relationships.
“It seems to me that solidarity and compassion go hand in glove with
each other,” she wrote in 2009. “When I activate the power of compassion, I literally cross over
from my separate, distinct world into the world of humanity. I reach beyond myself to touch
another and in the touching, connection and healing take place.”
Sister Marie held a number of leadership positions with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas—
most notably president. She also served as vice president and as a member of the Institute
Leadership Team. Her other positions included membership on the former Cincinnati Regional
Leadership Team, director of formation and local administrator for Jamaica, and membership on
the first Community Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy – South Central Community.
Sister Marie Catherine Wise, age 84, August 22, 2016
Sister Marie Catherine Wise died suddenly but peacefully at St. Bernardine
Home in Fremont, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 69 years.
Sister Marie Catherine experienced a call to religious life at a young
age. She attended Our Lady of the Pines Aspirant School (a high school
staffed by the Sisters of Mercy for young women interested in religious
vocation) and after completing high school, entered the Community on
September 7, 1947, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After graduating from Mercy School of Nursing in Toledo, she
ministered in health care at Mercy hospitals in Toledo, Tiffin, Hamilton,
Springfield, Oregon, and Lima, Ohio. Her assignments included operating
room nurse, emergency room nurse, pediatric supervisor, and nursing services supervisor. She
served as president and CEO of Mercy Hospital Tiffin from 1986 to 1993. From 1994 to 2005,
she was housing manager for Charles Meadow, a low-cost housing complex for seniors in Tiffin.
Sister Marie Catherine had lived at St. Bernardine Home since 2008.
Sister Elsie Marie Graff, age 98, August 8, 2016
Sister Elsie Marie Graff died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in
St. Louis, Missouri. She was a Sister of Mercy for 74 years.
Born in Colorado, Sister Elsie earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing
education at St. Mary College in Xavier, Kansas. She had a long ministry
in health care as a nurse, administrator and chaplain at hospitals in
Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.
Among her roles, Sister Elsie served as director of nursing services
at Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kansas, and St. Margaret’s Mercy
Hospital in Fredonia, Kansas; and as chaplain at St. Francis Mercy
Hospital in Washington, Missouri, and Mercy Hospital St. Louis. She had
lived at Catherine’s Residence since April 2006.
Sister Elsie loved to read and stay informed on current events. She also enjoyed
needlepoint, crocheting, sewing, and 1,000-piece puzzles.
Sister Mary Timothy Warren, age 90, July 11, 2016
Sister Mary Timothy Warren died at Marian Center at Sacred Heart Convent
in Belmont, North Carolina. She was a Sister of Mercy for 64 years. A native
of Asheville, North Carolina, she was introduced to the Sisters of Mercy by
her friend Father John Manley, also an Asheville native.
Among her ministries, Sister Mary Timothy served as a teacher and
principal of Catholic elementary schools in Charlotte, Asheville and Long
Island. She also ministered at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte as a cytology
technician, director of continuing education, and a counselor in the family
surgical waiting room.
In addition, she served as a pastoral associate at St. Gabriel Church in
Charlotte. She also developed and served as administrator of the Lay Ministry Program in the
Diocese of Charlotte and was Vicar for Women Religious in the Diocese. In her later years, she
volunteered at Mercy Heritage Center in Belmont.
Sister Mary deLima Hoffman, age 86, July 5, 2016
Sister Mary deLima Hoffman died at Mercy Health Center Convent in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was a Sister of Mercy for 66 years.
Sister Mary deLima entered the Community in September 1949. From
1955 to 1972, she ministered as a teacher at schools in New Orleans,
Metairie, and Kenner, Louisiana; and McAllen, Texas. She later served for
many years in the business office and as a medical records clerk at Mercy
Hospital in New Orleans. In addition, she volunteered at St. Alphonsus
Early Childhood Center in New Orleans. She had lived at Mercy Health
Center Convent in Oklahoma City since 2012.
Sister Jean Mary Durbin, age 90, April 9, 2016
Sister Jean Mary Durbin died peacefully at Mercy Convent in Nashville,
Tennessee. She was a Sister of Mercy for 71 years.
She entered the Community at age 19 in 1944—11 years after her
sister, the late Sister Dorothy Marie Durbin, entered. Sister Jean Mary taught
elementary school for 13 years in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; at St. Paul,
Our Lady of Consolation, and St. Athanasius in Louisville, Kentucky; and at
her home parish, St. John the Evangelist in Paducah, Kentucky.
In 1970 she was in an auto accident and suffered a head injury that
prevented her return to teaching. She spent the last 45 years in the
ministry of prayer.
Sister Mary Johanna Niklas, age 84, April 2, 2016
Sister Mary Johanna Niklas died peacefully at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati,
Ohio, following a brief illness. She was a Sister of Mercy for 65 years.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sister Mary Johanna earned a bachelor’s
degree in mathematics from Our Lady of Cincinnati College and a master’s
in mathematics from Xavier University. She ministered in secondary schools,
teaching math, German and physics.
From 1989 to 2007, she served as a medical records clerk for Mercy
Home Care in Hamilton, Ohio, and from 2007 to 2011, served in that position
with American-Mercy Home Care in Cincinnati. She had lived at McAuley
Convent in Cincinnati since February 2016.
Sister Helen Sigrist, age 89, March 27, 2016
Sister Helen Sigrist died peacefully at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium,
Maryland. She was a Sister of Mercy for 69 years.
Before entering the Community, she worked for the Army Corps of
Engineers. After World War II ended, she earned a bachelor’s degree in
education at Mount St. Agnes College and began her ministry in education.
Over the years, Sister Helen taught at nearly every level from first grade
through college. She taught at schools in Washington, D.C.; Warrington,
Florida; and Baltimore, Woodstock, and Salisbury, Maryland. In addition,
she supervised religious education programs and was active in pastoral care
and parish ministry.
Sister Mary Kathryn Slaughter, age 82, March 26, 2016
Sister Mary Kathryn Slaughter died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in
St. Louis, Missouri.
A Sister of Mercy for nearly 60 years, Sister Mary Kathryn earned a
master’s degree in administration from St. Louis (Missouri) University and a
bachelor’s degree in education from Webster College in St. Louis.
She ministered as a teacher and principal at schools in St. Louis,
Missouri; Little Rock, Arkansas; New Orleans, and Kenner, Louisiana; and
Gillespie, Illinois. She also served in administration at St. John’s Hospital
in Springfield, Missouri, and later worked part-time in the finance office at
Mercy Center in St. Louis.
Sister Marie Marguerite Rouleau, age 100, March 18, 2016
Sister Marie Marguerite Rouleau died peacefully on, at Mercy Convent in
Nashville, Tennessee. She was a Sister of Mercy for 80 years.
Sister Marie Marguerite attended St. Xavier Academy in Providence,
Rhode Island, where she met the Sisters of Mercy.
She taught music and other subjects at the elementary and high
school levels in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. For several years, she
was secretary to the superior general and the Leadership Team at the
Sisters of Mercy Generalate. In 1972 she transferred to the Cincinnati
Province and taught business at Mercy Academy in Louisville, Kentucky.
After retiring from teaching, she served as assistant bookkeeper at St.
Catherine Convent in Louisville. A violinist, Sister Marie Marguerite frequently played her
renditions of sacred music for liturgies at the convent.
Sister Phyllis Ann Gerold, age 86, March 15, 2016
Sister Phyllis Ann Gerold died peacefully after a lengthy illness at St.
Bernardine Home in Fremont, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 70 years.
Born in Sandusky, Ohio, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing
from Our Lady of Cincinnati College and a master’s in hospital
administration from St. Louis University.
Sister Phyllis Ann’s vision and insights made her a leader in healthcare
in northwest Ohio. Among other positions, she was the longtime chief
executive officer of the former Mercy Hospital of Toledo and St. Charles
Mercy Hospital of Oregon, Ohio.
Sister Mary Gloria Auer, age 83, March 9, 2016
Sister Mary Gloria Auer died peacefully at St. Bernardine Home in
Fremont, Ohio, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a Sister of
Mercy for 66 years.
For almost 50 years Sister Gloria ministered in elementary education,
first as a junior high teacher and later as principal. Sister Gloria
ministered at schools in Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Catherine of Siena in
Toledo, Ohio; Ascension School in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio; and
Assumption school in Geneva, Ohio.
Before retiring from active ministry, she served as director of Our Lady
of the Pines Retreat Center in Fremont.
Sister Marianne Angert, age 93, February 26, 2016
Sister Marianne Angert died peacefully at Marian Center in Belmont,
North Carolina. She was a Sister of Mercy for 75 years.
Sister Marianne held a doctorate in health education from the
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
She ministered in healthcare at St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville,
North Carolina, and Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. She also
spent many years at West Virginia University instructing, developing and
improving the curriculum in the School of Medical Technology. In addition,
she was a faculty member and dean of students at Sacred Heart College
in Belmont.
Sister Elizabeth Mary Burns, age 92, February 25, 2016
Sister Elizabeth Mary Burns died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in
St. Louis, Missouri. She was a Sister of Mercy for 75 years.
Sister Liz, who ministered in education and healthcare, served at
hospitals in Mississippi and Arkansas.
She also was an instructor and assistant professor at St. Louis
University School of Medicine; assistant professor and associate professor
at the University of Illinois School of Medicine, Chicago; and professor at
the University of Iowa and Ohio State University. In addition, Sister Liz
was a professor and Fulbright scholar at the University of Cape Coast in
Ghana, West Africa, and was a project director and grant writer for the
Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Sister Jude Marie Piazza, age 88, February 17, 2016
Sister Jude Marie Piazza died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in
St. Louis, Missouri. She was a Sister of Mercy for 61 years.
Sister Jude Marie had a long ministry in nursing and pastoral care at
hospitals in Springfield, Missouri; Vicksburg, Mississippi, Fort Smith and
Hot Springs, Arkansas; Independence, Kansas; and Daphne, Alabama.
She specialized in Reiki, a Japanese technique of spiritual healing.
Sister Mary Eloise Morrison, age 96, January 31, 2016
Sister Mary Eloise Morrison died peacefully at Mercy Health Center Convent
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was a Sister of Mercy for 79 years.
Sister Eloise ministered for more than 50 years throughout Oklahoma
in education, social and parish ministry. She also served as a volunteer in
hospitals, nursing homes, homebound services, and refugee placement,
most recently in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She had lived at Mercy Health
Center Convent since June 2015.
Sister Mary Timothy Collins, age 92, January 29, 2016
Sister Mary Timothy Collins died peacefully at St. Bernardine Home in
Fremont, Ohio, surrounded by family and sisters. She was a Sister of
Mercy for 75 years.
In 1945 Sister Timothy began her ministry in elementary education.
She spent many successful years in the classroom and as an elementary
principal at schools in Ohio: St. Teresa in Cincinnati, St. Mary’s in
Mansfield, St. Anne’s in Fremont, St. Mary’s in Kirby, St. Catherine’s in
Toledo, and Holy Angels in Sandusky.
In 1994 she went to Assumption Parish in Geneva, Ohio, where she
served as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) director and religious
education coordinator.
Sister Frances Ann Cook, age 75, January 26, 2016
Sister Frances Ann Cook died surrounded by her family and friends at
St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System in Savannah, Georgia. She was a
Sister of Mercy for 57 years.
Sister Frances Ann ministered in education and pastoral care.
Since fall 1999, she had taught at St. Vincent’s Academy in Savannah,
managing “Cyber Island,” its computer resource and research lab. Earlier,
she served as a guidance counselor at St. Vincent’s and taught at several
other schools, including Mercy High School in Baltimore, Maryland.
In addition, she had served as director of adult education and as
director of communications for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia, where
she also ministered as a pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Church.
Sister Mary Agnes Procopio, age 92, January 25, 2016
Sister Mary Agnes Procopio died peacefully at St. Bernardine Home in
Fremont, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 63 years.
For 21 years, Sister Agnes ministered as a primary teacher in various
schools throughout Ohio. In 1976 she became a patient visitor at Mercy
Hospital Tiffin, Ohio. She served in that ministry for 26 years, retiring in
2002.
In 1989 Sister Agnes received the Citizen of the Year Award from the
Chamber of Commerce of Tiffin. Mercy Hospital Tiffin honored her in
2014 with the Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sister Marie Foley, age 86, January 15, 2016
Sister Marie Foley died peacefully at The Villa in Baltimore, Maryland. She
was a Sister of Mercy for 66 years
Sister Marie was a beloved mentor to many students, parents
and teachers during her 40 years ministering at Mercy High School
in Baltimore. A native of Watertown, South Dakota, she entered the
Community in February 1950.
In September 1953 Sister Marie began her ministry as an elementary
school teacher, serving first at Mount Washington Country School for
Boys, then for three years at St. Mary’s School in Mobile, Alabama. After
a sabbatical of independent study at Michigan State University, she joined
the faculty at Mercy High School, where she served from 1973 until 2013, much of that time as
director of Human Development.
Sister Mary Ralph Heckemeyer, age 92, January 11, 2016
Sister Mary Ralph Heckemeyer died peacefully in St. Louis, Missouri, after
an extended illness. She was a Sister of Mercy for 71 years.
Sister Mary Ralph earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing education
from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1952 and
a master’s in social work from Barry School of Social Work in Miami,
Florida, in 1968.
She had a long ministry in healthcare, serving as a nursing unit supervisor
in the late 1940s and 1950s; in administration in the mid-1960s; and as vice
president, treasurer, director of social services, social worker, and volunteer
from 1968 to 2006 at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
Sister Jeanne Marie Kienast, age 88, December 23, 2015
Sister Jeanne Marie Kienast of Belmont, North Carolina, died peacefully
after a brief illness. She was a Sister of Mercy for 70 years.
As a student at Sacred Heart Academy in Belmont, she was inspired
by the compassion and understanding of the Sisters of Mercy, and their
lifestyle touched her deeply, so she joined the Community upon graduation
from high school.
Sister Jeanne Marie was a pioneer in Catholic education in North
Carolina, and her ministries reflected her ability to serve as teacher,
administrator and innovator. She served as an elementary school teacher
and administrator in Catholic schools throughout North Carolina, theology
professor and dean of student affairs at Sacred Heart College, director of formation, and
director of religious education for the Diocese of Charlotte.
Sister Melanie Courtenay, age 94, December 20, 2015
Sister Melanie Courtenay died peacefully at Mercy Convent in Savannah,
Georgia. She was a Sister of Mercy for 75 years.
A native of Gainesville, Georgia, Sister Melanie took great pride in
her Irish roots, leading to lifelong extensive research in genealogy. She
completed her nursing degree at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland,
where she began her long ministry in healthcare.
Sister Melanie excelled in nursing and hospital administration, serving
as nursing supervisor at Martin de Porres Hospital in Mobile, Alabama;
St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah; and Mercy Hospital in Baltimore.
She later became an administrator at Mercy hospitals in Atlanta and
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Sister Mary Carol Mertens, age 94, December 7, 2015
Sister Mary Carol Mertens died peacefully after a long illness. A Sister
of Mercy for 71 years, she lived at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After high school she worked for several years before entering the
Community. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education
and ministered from 1948 to 1980 in elementary education in Cincinnati
and Cleveland, Ohio.
In 1980 Sister Carol left teaching to care for her ailing parents, and
from 1986 to 1993 she ministered in the bookkeeping office at McAuley
Convent. After retiring from that position, she continued to be a driver and
assist with other duties around the convent.
Sister Mary Berding, age 93, December 1, 2015
Sister Mary Berding died after a long illness at Catherine McAuley
Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio, with sisters by her side. She was a Sister of
Mercy for 76 years.
Sister Mary began ministering in elementary education in the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati after graduating with a bachelor’s degree
in education from the Athenaeum of Ohio in Cincinnati. She received
her master’s in education from Xavier University in Cincinnati and her
doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati.
Sister Mary taught at Edgecliff College, which merged with the
University of Cincinnati in 1980. She also served as regional and
Cincinnati Community archivist.
Sister Josephine Maria Thomas, age 101, November 25, 2015
Sister Josephine Maria Thomas died at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont,
North Carolina. She was a Sister of Mercy for 79 years.
Sister Josephine Maria graduated from Newton Grove (North Carolina)
High School in 1934 and she left home the following year to become a
Sister of Mercy in Belmont.
Sister Josephine Maria ministered in education for almost 50 years
as a teacher and principal in many schools throughout North Carolina,
Florida, and Long Island, New York. Shortly after World War II, she was
assigned to Guam, where she helped improve the educational system
and ministered for 13 years. While on the island, she served as Guam’s
regional superior and formation director.
After her retirement from education, she served as a pastoral associate at Queen of the
Apostles Catholic Church in Belmont.
Sister Mary Rosalie Mallard, age 93, November 19, 2015
Sister Mary Rosalie Mallard died peacefully at Mercy Convent in
Savannah, Georgia. She was a Sister of Mercy for 75 years.
Sister Rosalie taught at elementary schools in Maryland and Georgia
and at high schools in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Savannah and Atlanta,
Georgia; and Pensacola, Florida.
In 1976 she became an intern in clinical pastoral education at the
Georgia Mental Health Institute in Atlanta. After her training, she focused
her ministry on healthcare, working in pastoral care at St. Mary’s Hospital
in Knoxville, Tennessee, as director of pastoral care at St. Joseph’s in
Atlanta, as a pastoral minister at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in
Atlanta, as pastoral minister at Mercy Medical in Daphne, Alabama, and as chaplain at St.
Joseph’s/Candler in Savannah.
Sister Mary Amadeus Richter, age 88, November 19, 2015
Sister Mary Amadeus Richter died at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She was a Sister of Mercy for 69 years.
Sister Mary Amadeus received a bachelor of arts from Our Lady of
Cincinnati in June 1950 and began teaching religion, English and science
at her high school alma mater that fall. While she was teaching, she
earned her master’s degree from Xavier University. In 1959 she began
teaching at Piqua Catholic High School, where she added teaching
Spanish and serving as librarian to her list of duties.
Sister Mary Amadeus later ministered as principal of McAuley High
School in Cincinnati, serving in that position until 1980. She taught at
LaSalle High School for two years and then returned to McAuley, where she began and directed
the development office. Leaving McAuley the second time, she served for 10 years as the
school secretary at St. Cecelia School. After she retired from teaching, she continued tutoring
as a volunteer and also worked with the blind. In 2010 she moved to McAuley Convent.
Sister Mary Angeline Poirier, age 100, November 8, 2015
Sister Mary Angeline Poirier died peacefully at Mercy Convent in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma. A Sister of Mercy for 83 years, she celebrated her 100th
birthday on Monday, November 2, 2015.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sister Mary Angeline earned a
bachelor’s degree in English from Loyola University in New Orleans in
1944 and a master’s in secondary education from Our Lady of the Lake
College in San Antonio, Texas.
During her years of ministry in education, Sister Mary Angeline taught
at many schools in Shawnee, Oklahoma; New Orleans, Jeanerette, and
Kenner, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; St. Louis, Missouri; and Mission and
Plainview, Texas. She excelled in music as an educator and director.
Sister Mary Macrina Dorrian, age 88, October 27, 2015
Sister Mary Macrina Dorrian died peacefully at McAuley Convent in
Cincinnati, Ohio. She celebrated her 70th Jubilee in September.
Sister Macrina ministered at hospitals in Hamilton, Springfield, Toledo, and
Tiffin, Ohio, as a nurse. For a number of years, she was director of the nursing
school at Mercy Hospital in Hamilton. She also served as infirmarian at St.
Bernardine Home in Fremont, Ohio, and St. Catherine Convent in Louisville,
Kentucky. Most recently, she ministered in Springfield, Ohio, where she was
involved in sponsorship and pastoral care.
Sister Mary Marthalene Joines, age 92, October 24, 2015
Sister Mary Marthalene Joines died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in
St. Louis, Missouri. She was a Sister of Mercy for 71 years.
Sister Marthalene began her long ministry in nursing at Mercy
Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, as a staff nurse in 1949. Her ministry
positions included night supervisor, 1951–53 and 1958–60; obstetrical
supervisor, 1958–62; nursing school instructor, 1957–58, orthopedic
and rehabilitation nursing supervisor, 1964–72; and director of nursing
services, 1972–74.
She also served as director and a nursing supervisor at the Meacham
Park Clinic in Kirkwood, Missouri, 1966-72; and as an administrative
assistant at Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri, 1976-1985. Sister Marthalene then served
as administrator of Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in St. Louis from 1986 to 1988. She
also had ministered at a nursing school in Illinois and a hospital in Mississippi.
Sister Marie Pierre Martinez, age 88, October 19, 2015
Sister Marie Pierre Martinez died in Tamuning, Guam. She was a Sister of
Mercy for 67 years.
Sister Marie Pierre taught in Mercy schools and at her Alma Mater,
George Washington High School in Mangilao, Guam. She served as
principal of the Academy of Our Lady of Guam and also of Mount Carmel
School on Saipan, after completing degrees in American history and
world history.
After retiring from education, Sister Marie Pierre took on a new
ministry of pastoral care, serving as a chaplain at Guam Memorial
Hospital in Tamuning. Her special ministry focused on dialysis patients,
starting with Archbishop Felixberto Flores.
Sister Ruth Graf, age 86, September 11, 2015
Sister Ruth Graf died peacefully following a brief illness at McAuley
Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 70 years.
Known as an excellent teacher, Sister Ruth ministered most recently
on the faculty at Xavier University, Cincinnati. She was the first woman
religious to graduate from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, receiving a
Ph.D. in Scripture there.
Sister Ruth enjoyed gardening, animals and building simple furniture.
She also was a seamstress and a good cook. She is remembered as a
woman of integrity and deep faith, which she passed along to her students.
Sister Marylin Ducote, age 80, September 6, 2015
Sister Marylin Ducote died peacefully surrounded by sisters at Catherine’s
Residence in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a Sister of Mercy for 63 years.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, she earned a bachelor’s degree in
education from Webster College in St. Louis and a master’s in education
from Loyola University in New Orleans.
Sister Marylin ministered for 41 years in education, teaching at
elementary schools in New Orleans, Jeanerette, and St. Martinville,
Louisiana; and in Mission, Texas. She had lived at Catherine’s Residence
since September 2008.
Sister Mary Prisca Pfeffer, age 99, August 12, 2015
Sister Mary Prisca Pfeffer died peacefully at Mercy Convent in Nashville,
Tennessee. She was a Sister of Mercy for 81 years.
Sister Prisca had a distinguished ministry in education, receiving many
awards. She began as a teacher at Holy Family High School in Columbus,
Ohio, later serving as teacher and principal of Mercy Academy, and was
founding principal of Assumption High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
In November 2013 Sister Prisca received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
Cross, the highest award of the Roman Catholic Church, for lifelong,
distinguished service to the church.
Sister Prisca had lived at Mercy Convent in Nashville since May 2014.
Sister Mary Jean Powers, age 88, June 28, 2015
Sister Mary Jean Powers died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in
St. Louis, Missouri. She had been Sister of Mercy for 68 years.
Sister Mary Jean ministered as a teacher in Missouri and Kansas and
in administrative support at Mercy hospitals in Springfield and St. Louis. A
native of St. Louis, she studied at Webster College and St. Louis University.
An organist, Sister Mary Jean loved music, especially instrumental.
She had a gentle, quiet presence and a welcoming smile that could light
up a room. She had lived at Catherine’s Residence for the past nine years.
Sister Mary Teresa Finnegan, age 87, June 20, 2015
Sister Mary Teresa Finnegan, a Sister of Mercy for almost 70 years, died
at Convent of Mercy in Mobile, Alabama.
Sister Teresa had a distinguished ministry in healthcare. She became
a supervisor and director of nursing at hospitals in Vicksburg, Mississippi,
and in Guyana. From 1976 to 1988, she was an assistant professor in
the School of Nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi. She then
served as consultant and director of other programs in healthcare and
parishes. She also served in community leadership in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sister Magdala Janz, age 88, June 17, 2015
Sister Magdala Janz died at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio.
A Sister of Mercy for 65 years, Sister Magdala ministered as a
teacher and as a pastoral associate at Immaculate Conception Parish in
LaGrange, Kentucky, and St. James Church in Louisville, Kentucky. She
moved to McAuley Convent in 2014.
Sister Irene Chen See, age 90, June 16, 2015
Sister Irene Chen See died peacefully at The Claver Home in Kingston,
Jamaica.
Born in Springfield, Jamaica, she was a Sister of Mercy for 73 years.
Sister Irene had ministered at the Laws Street Trade Training Centre in
Kingston as director of special training projects.
Sister Mary Noreen Gray, age 98, June 5, 2015
Sister Mary Noreen Gray died peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2015, at
St. Bernardine Home in Fremont, Ohio. A Sister of Mercy for 68 years,
she was 98 years old.
She served in the United States Navy as a member of the WAVES
(Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) from 1943 to 1945.
In 1946 she entered the Sisters of Mercy and began her ministry in
the Community’s finance office. From 1952 to 1975 Sister Mary Noreen
taught at several elementary schools in the Diocese of Toledo and for one
year in Cleveland, Ohio.
In 1975 she went to Jamaica, where she ministered for 16 years at
St. John Bosco Children’s Home. She also served at the Aurora House in Toledo helping women
in need.
Sister Mary Reginald Mooney, Age 102, June 1, 2015
Sister Mary Reginald Mooney died peacefully in Barling, Arkansas. She
was a Sister of Mercy for 84 years.
Born in Newfoundland, Canada, she entered the Community on
October 27, 1930, and made her perpetual vows in 1936.
Sister Mary Reginald ministered for many years as a dietary specialist
in hospitals and schools in Arkansas and Missouri. She served at Mount
St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hot
Springs, Arkansas; Warner Brown Hospital, El Dorado, Arkansas; Our Lady
of Mercy Convent and Mercita Hall in St. Louis, Missouri; and at St. Anne’s
Academy and St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Sister Mary Rebecca Elkins, age 90, May 19, 2015
Sister Mary Rebecca Elkins died in Baltimore, Maryland. She was a Sister
of Mercy for 65 years.
Born in Frederick, Maryland, Sister Mary Rebecca earned a bachelor’s
degree in nursing at Mount St. Agnes College and a master’s in nursing
administration from the University of Maryland.
Sister Mary Rebecca ministered in healthcare, beginning as a nurse in
1954 at St. Joseph’s Infirmary in Atlanta, Georgia, where she later served
as associate director of nursing. She also ministered at St. Joseph’s
Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, and at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore.
Sister Elizabeth Robertson, age 87, May 1, 2015
Sister Elizabeth Robertson died peacefully in Marian Center at Sacred
Heart Convent in Belmont, North Carolina, following a long illness. She was
a Sister of Mercy for 68 years.
Sister Elizabeth was born in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1947 she traveled
south and entered the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont. After earning a
bachelor’s degree from Belmont Abbey College, she began her ministry in
elementary education. She taught at Catholic schools in North Carolina,
Florida, New York, New Mexico, and Saipan, and for four years in the
1990s lived with and ministered to the Zuni people in New Mexico.
Sister Mary Marcia Voll, age 97, April 14, 2015
Sister Mary Marcia Voll died peacefully at Mercy Convent in Nashville,
Tennessee. She was a Sister of Mercy for 74 years.
Sister Marcia served as an archdiocesan school supervisor for 14
years and then as activity director at Mercy Sacred Heart Village in
Louisville, Kentucky, for 10 years. She also taught in elementary and
high schools in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; Paducah and Louisville,
Kentucky.
After retirement from education, Sister Marcia volunteered at Sacred
Heart Village and also for Sisters of Mercy ministries in Jamaica. She
made clothes for children in the orphanage and raised thousands of
dollars for Jamaican needs. She moved to Mercy Convent in May 2014.
Sister Alice Marie Soete, age 95, March 31, 2015
Sister Alice Marie Soete died at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio, after
a long illness.
A Sister of Mercy for 76 years, Sister Alice was 95 years old. A native
of Cincinnati, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education from The
Athenaeum of Ohio and a master’s degree in secondary education from
Xavier University.
She had ministered as an elementary and high school teacher and was
co-founder of the H.O.M.E. program to assist the elderly.
Sister Elizabeth Dowling, age 87, March 30, 2015
Sister Elizabeth Dowling died suddenly at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati,
Ohio, on Monday, March 30, 2015. It was her 87th birthday.
She had been a Sister of Mercy for 66 years and lived at McAuley
Convent with her sister, Sister Patricia Dowling.
A Cincinnati native, Sister Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree in
mathematics from Our Lady of Cincinnati College and a master’s degree
in secondary education from Xavier University. She had ministered in
Cincinnati as a librarian at St. Mark Elementary School and as a reading
tutor for adults at Winton Terrace Guild. She also tutored at Mount St.
Joseph College and Growthways Tutorial Center, both in Cincinnati.
Sister Theresa Mary Sumner, age 85, March 24, 2015
Sister Theresa Mary Sumner died peacefully at Mercy Convent in
Savannah, Georgia. She was 85 years old and was a Sister of Mercy for
64 years.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, she grew up on Tybee Island, Georgia. In
1950 she graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy in Savannah and entered
the Sisters of Mercy. She professed her perpetual vows in 1956 and
began a lifetime ministry in child care.
Sister Theresa Mary spent most of her nearly 50 years in child care
at St. Mary’s Home in Savannah. She also ministered at St. Vincent’s
Orphanage in Baltimore, Maryland, and at Villa Maria in Towson, Maryland.
Sister Mary Mel Gordy, age 89, March 2, 2015
Sister Mary Mel Gordy died peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2015, in
Barling, Arkansas. A Sister of Mercy for 73 years, Sister Mary Mel was 89
years old.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sister Mary Mel earned her bachelor’s
and master’s degrees from Loyola University.
She ministered for many years as a teacher of fourth through eighth
grades at schools in New Orleans, Metairie, and Jeanerette, Louisiana.
Later, she served on the support staff at Mercy Hospital in New Orleans.
She had lived at Catherine McAuley Convent in Barling since 2006.
Sister Mary Felice Byrnes, age 98, March 1, 2015
Sister Mary Felice Byrnes died peacefully at Mercy Convent in Savannah,
Georgia. She was a Sister of Mercy for 80 years.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount St. Agnes
College in Baltimore, Maryland, Sister Felice ministered for many years
as a teacher. She began teaching at St. Bernard’s School in Baltimore,
continuing at schools in Alabama, Georgia and Virginia.
Before retiring to Mercy Convent, Sister Felice served as the
coordinator for retired sisters in Savannah and Macon, Georgia.
Sister Maria Carolina Hernandez, age 84, February 27, 2015
Sister Maria Carolina Hernandez died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in
St. Louis, Missouri. She was a Sister of Mercy for 53 years.
Sister Maria Carolina, who became a registered X-ray technologist in
1959, ministered at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis and at
hospitals in Kansas; Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Springfield, Missouri.
She also ministered at McAuley Hall Convent in St. Louis, the Mexican
American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas, and McAuley Convent in
Barling, Arkansas.
Sister Ruth Nastold, age 84, February 17, 2015
Sister Ruth Nastold died peacefully at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati,
Ohio. Sister Ruth was a Sister of Mercy for 64 years.
A Cincinnati native, Sister Ruth received a bachelor’s degree in Latin
from Edgecliff College and a master’s degree in education from Xavier
University. She ministered at Our Lady of Cincinnati College and Our Lady
of Mercy Hospital, Mariemont. From 1986 to 2013, she ministered as
assistant to the president of Mercy Hospital Anderson in Cincinnati.
Sister Mary Carmel Heffern, age 97, February 8, 2015
Sister Mary Carmel Heffern died at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis,
Missouri. She was a Sister of Mercy for 77 years.
Sister Carmel earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Fontbonne
College in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1949 and a certificate in medical
technology from Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1950.
She taught at schools in Illinois and Texas. She then entered
healthcare ministry, serving as the laboratory and X-ray supervisor at
Mercy hospitals in Hutchinson, Fredonia, and Fort Scott, Kansas; and
Slaton, Texas. Sister Carmel later served in pastoral care.
Sister Mary Elizabeth Shea, age 84, February 6, 2015
Sister Mary Elizabeth Shea died peacefully in St. Louis, Missouri. She was
a Sister of Mercy for 64 years.
Sister Liz earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from
Misericordia University.
She taught elementary school in Pennsylvania and New York before
moving to St. Louis, Missouri, where she ministered as an administrative
assistant at Mercy Conference and Retreat Center and as a volunteer
attendant in chemical dependency at the Edgewood Program. Sister Liz
also served as a volunteer at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis.
Sister Mary Annice Quinter, age 75, January 31, 2015
Sister Mary Annice Quinter died in Springfield, Ohio. She was a Sister of
Mercy for 57 years.
Sister Annice was born in Burkettsville, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s
degree in education from Our Lady of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in
education from Xavier University.
She ministered as a teacher and principal in Ohio and later in pastoral
care, most recently as spiritual care chaplain at Springfield Regional
Medical Center.
She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery and other sewing crafts, and
cooking. Those who knew Sister Annice describe her as a simple, humble
and extremely generous woman who loved her family and was very loyal to her friends.
Sister Mary Callista Camacho, age 88, January 25, 2015
Sister Mary Callista Camacho died following an extended illness at Mercy
Care Center in Tamuning, Guam. She was a Sister of Mercy for 68 years.
Sister Mary Callista ministered as a teacher or administrator at
schools in North Carolina and Guam, including Cathedral Grade School,
St. Anthony School, Santa Barbara School, and Bishop Baumgartner
Middle School. She also served the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa at the
Chancery Office and through pastoral ministry, and worked at Head Start.
She also was a director of Guam’s Insular Arts Council and a deputy
director at Catholic Social Services.
Sister Clara Virginia Kelly, age 79, January 23, 2015
Sister Clara Virginia Kelly, died at Marian Center in Belmont, North
Carolina. A native of Spencer, North Carolina, she met the Sisters of
Mercy when she attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Salisbury,
North Carolina.
She worked for two years as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital in
Charlotte, North Carolina, then decided to enter the Sisters of Mercy in
1958. After earning a bachelor of science in nursing from Mount Mercy
College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sister Clara moved to Asheville,
North Carolina, where she ministered as nursing supervisor at St. Joseph
Hospital. She earned a certificate as a family nurse practitioner at the
University of North Carolina-Asheville.
In 1994 Sister Clara moved to Florida, where she ministered as a nurse practitioner in
several clinics, rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities. In 2011, she joined a new
clinic—Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine in Viera, Florida, and served as its medical director
until her health deteriorated..
Sister Mary Cabrini Daulizio, age 91, January 19, 2015
Sister Mary Cabrini Daulizio died Monday, January 19, 2015, at The Villa
in Baltimore, Maryland. A Sister of Mercy for almost 66 years, she was 91
years old.
Sister Mary Cabrini was born in Hooversville, Pennsylvania. She
earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mount St.
Mary’s College and a master of education degree in reading, as well as a
certificate in theology, from Boston College.
For 34 years, she ministered as a teacher at schools in Alabama,
Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. She had lived at The
Villa since October 2006.