Age 93
Sister Maria entered the Community of the Sisters of Mercy in Dallas, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 1951, and professed her vows on March 12, 1954. She graduated from the former St. Mary’s High School in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and earned a degree in elementary education from Misericordia University.
During her years in the ministry of education, she taught in the elementary schools in her home Diocese of Harrisburg and also Scranton, Pennsylvania. She was a member of the staff at the Mercy Center Kindergarten and then offered her gift of hospitality at the former Mercycrest Retirement Center in Harrisburg. As her parents advanced in age, she cared for them at their family home in Lancaster. Sister Maria returned to Dallas and was a member of the ministry of prayer and presence at Mercy Center.
Sister Maria will long be remembered for her baking skills. This was her joy. She often surprised friends and relatives with special cakes, cookies and candy and delighted in their excitement at receiving them. She had a perpetual smile for her caregivers at Mercy Center and would present them with works of arts she created.