Age 91
Sister Marie Immaculee Dana was a French scholar and teacher who served in leadership roles at Carlow University and her former regional community, both in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Initially an elementary and high school teacher in the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh for ten years, Sister Marie was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study French at L’Université de Bourgogne, in Dijon, France. Next, she completed her Ph.D. in French at the University of Pennsylvania, studied for a year at Radcliffe/Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, and began teaching French at Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in the 1960s.
At the college, she served as associate professor of French, chair of the department of education, and vice president for academic affairs. She was very influential in developing the solid curriculum of the education department. Retiring in 2004, Sister Marie became an academic advisor and retention coordinator in the adult degree center. From 2004 to 2008, she ministered as vice president of the Pittsburgh Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy. She also served as their local leader and as a member of the board of trustees of Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Sisters Place, and McAuley Ministries Foundation.
On the lighter side, Sister Marie Immaculee delighted in watching Steelers football, Spring picnics, yard work, or a good steak dinner.