Age 94
A seeker, adventurer, contemplative, missionary, and courageous woman of God, Sister Mary journeyed a unique path of mercy-full living. She had a deep faith, tender heart, and yearning for God.
Her heart of compassion and love inspired and invited others to develop a global perspective on the works of mercy. Her sense of humor brought fun, laughter, and real joy in living to all. She had a deep faith, tender heart, and yearning for God.
After graduating from Gwynedd Mercy High School in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, Mary entered the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 18 in Merion, Pennsylvania. She held a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Mary taught elementary school students for ten years in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Raleigh, North Carolina dioceses.
Searching to heed the call to serve the needy of our time, Mary began her missionary journey in Jamshedpur, India where she served as the principal of Little Flower High School for seven years. She returned to the states as the assistant director of novices in Merion, Pennsylvania, and then went to the Formation Institute in Ireland for a year. Mary also ministered in Chulucanas, Peru, for two years.
Back at home, the care of women and children invited others to join her in building the “city of God” in hospices, shelters, and foundations of mercy throughout the streets of Philadelphia. Mary’s legacy lives on in those whose lives she influenced, encouraged, and empowered to live in God and for God.