Sister Patricia McGrath, RSM, formerly Sister Mary Shane, died on Jan. 19 in her 58th year as a Sister of Mercy. She was 77 years old.
Sister Pat began her teaching ministry at St. Edward the Confessor in Syosset, New York, and later at Mercy High School in Riverhead, New York.
But what would become almost a whole lifetime, Sister Pat spent more than 40 years at St. Therese of Lisieux School-Little Flower (Brooklyn), where she truly blossomed into the strong, loving person she was.
She served first as a teacher, then as an assistant principal who loved the students and held them to the high standards that would see them through life’s future challenges. Firm but fair was her approach to discipline.
She had remarkable strength tempered by a gentle spirit and a welcoming sense of humor.
If to sing is to pray twice, Pat prayed often. Wherever she was in church, at a party, or at a family gathering, the power of her beautiful voice was stunning.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Whitestone followed by burial in St. Charles/Resurrection Cemetery.
Sister Margaret Dempsey, RSM, formerly Sister Mary Edwardine, died on Jan. 29 in her 59th year as a Sister of Mercy. She was 78.
Sister “Margee” shared her talents and leadership skills with many ministries — first as a teacher at St. Brigid School (Ridgewood).
She was a vocational director for the Sisters of Mercy, then taught at Catherine McAuley High School, served as co-principal, and finally became president there. In addition Mercy First Foundation President, Mercy Home for Children, Mount Saint Mary Academy, Holy Cross High School, St. Catharine Academy, Christian Brothers Foundation, Mercy Secondary Education Association board member and president of Catholic High School Principals Association of Brooklyn and Queens, Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy, Brooklyn Regional Community, Sisters of Mercy Associate Circle and Brooklyn Sisters Senate member.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Whitestone, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn.
Sister Maelene Meehan, OP, passed away on Feb. 7 after serving as a Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville for 73 years. She was 91.
Born on Sept. 20, 1934, to Raymond and Mary Ellen (Thompson) Meehan in Brooklyn.
At some point, the family moved from Brooklyn to Rockville Centre and were parishioners of St. Agnes.
Sister Maelene completed her high school studies at the Dominican Juniorate at Villa Maria in Water Mill, New York.
She was accepted as a postulant on Sept. 6, 1952, by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville.
Along with the members of her set, who became known as the Pink Carnations, she received the Dominican habit and the religious name Sister Maelene on Aug. 4, 1953.
Sister pronounced her First Vows on Aug. 7, 1954, and her Final Vows on Aug. 7, 1957.
Sister Maelene received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Fordham University in the Bronx and a Master of Science in gerontology from Iona College (now University) in New Rochelle, New York.
Sister Maelene spent 31 years teaching on the elementary school level.
She began teaching at St. Pius School (Jamaica), St. Thomas Apostle School (Woodhaven), Fourteen Holy Martyrs School (Brooklyn), and St. Pancras School (Glendale).
The wake and funeral for our Sister Maelene were celebrated in St. Albert Chapel in Amityville on Feb. 11.
The Mass of Christian Burial followed. Interment was in St. Dominic Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds.