Sister Mary Louise Tweedy died April 11, 2024, at age 87. She grew up in Queens where she and her siblings attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine Elementary School. After graduating from The Mary Louis Academy, Mary Lou enrolled in the College of Mount Saint Vincent and earned a BA in social studies.
In September of 1959, she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph and was given the name Sister St. Edwin. For a year, she taught the second grade at St. Anne’s School in Brentwood, New York, and then moved to Flushing where she taught the middle and upper grades.
During this time, Sister Mary Lou, as she was called by friends in the community and family, studied at Queens College, earning an MS in social studies. She returned to Brentwood in 1969 and taught history at the Academy of St. Joseph for the next 17 years.
Ever the student, Sister Mary Lou pursued her interest in history, taking advantage of course offerings and grant opportunities as well as earning a PhD in educational administration from Manhattan College in 1985.
In 1986, Sister Mary Lou was assigned to her alma mater, The Mary Louis Academy. As an exemplary teacher and a caring dean, a woman of deep prayer and concern for all, she always strove to bring out the very best in her students.
After 20 years at TMLA, she retired to Brentwood. Upon hearing of her death, students and colleagues shared fond memories of Sister Mary Lou. At Sister Mary Lou’s request, Father Sean Gann presided at her Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Chapel on April 15.
Interment followed in Calvary Cemetery in Brentwood.
Sister Mary Harrington, SC, (Sister Edward Josephine), affectionately known to many as “Sister Mary Sunshine” and a Sister of Charity-Halifax for 82 years, died at Elizabeth Seton Residence, Wellesley, Massachusetts, on April 9, 2024, at the age of 100.
She is survived by cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as her Sisters in community. Sister Mary’s primary ministry was education as a gifted teacher of elementary schoolchildren. She spread her “sunshine” in classrooms for 45 years.
She was missioned at Our Lady of Angels School, Brooklyn, from 1945-51 as a second grade teacher. Sister Mary was also missioned in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. After leaving the classroom, she worked as provincial secretary in the Sisters of Charity Boston office.
Sister Mary brought her joyful presence to Marillac Residence in 2006 and, later, to Elizabeth Seton Residence. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 18, 2024, at
Mount Saint Vincent in Wellesley.
Interment was at Saint Mary Cemetery in Needham, Massachusetts.
These wonderful women religious contributed so much to my life. Also, and this may seem humorous, I liked one of them so much that I married her! That was 54 years ago. Sadly, Ann passed away last year. She remained in contact with her “band,” the women who had entered the convent with her. Sisters seem to be rapidly disappearing as a significant dimension of Catholic life. I’m glad I lived while it was such a vibrant part of the Catholic experience. Bill Powers, Chapel Hill, NC.