Age 93
A quiet and gentle lady, Sister Mary Matilda’s decades of dedicated ministry were lived out in Catholic education, where she served faithfully in multiple schools across Pennsylvania with her enduring gratitude and beautiful, expressive smile.
Born in Manchester, Iowa, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the age of 25. She held a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Mercy College, now Carlow University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
She taught at seven different elementary schools in the Pittsburgh diocese including eight years at North American Martyrs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 13 years at Holy Family in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in the Greensburg diocese, and 12 years at St. Agatha’s elementary school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sister Matilda held a special devotion to preparing young children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist, nurturing in them a deep love for the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother.
Following her retirement from teaching, Sister Matilda continued her service at the Convent of Mercy in Oakland, Pennsylvania, contributing her talents in arts and crafts, creating beautiful quilts. For many years, she also prepared sandwiches for distribution to individuals experiencing homelessness.
She fully embodied her ring motto, “All for love of Thee,” through her deep love for both her biological family and her religious community.