Sister Marilyn Breen, a Dominican sister for 66 years, died on Oct. 28 at the age of 86. 

Arthur and Anastasia Breen welcomed their baby daughter on Dec. 3, 1939. 

The family lived and shared their strong faith in their home in the parish of Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians in Woodside. 

Sister Marilyn graduated from St. Agnes High School in College Point. On September 5, 1959, she entered the Novitiate in Amityville. The group of women that she joined at that time would come to be known fondly as the White Roses. 

They were invested and received their habits on August 5, 1960, at which time Marilyn received her religious name, Sister Anastasia. 

She was professed on Aug. 6, 1961, and her first assignment was to teach in St. Luke Elementary School in Whitestone, New York. 

Sister Marilyn continued as a teacher and principal in schools in both the Brooklyn and Rockville Centre Dioceses. In 1972, she began her ministry with people with special needs in Catholic Charities programs. 

She was known and will be remembered for her goodness, kindness, and love that she shared in so many unconditional ways. She lived the Gospel with all her heart. Our Sister Rita Smith remarked, “Marilyn has a heart for everyone.” 

One of Sister Marilyn’s favorite ministries was teaching special education students. At a special education faculty meeting, everyone shared ideas on how to teach students who found learning particularly challenging. 

When it came Sister Marilyn’s turn to share, she said with such kindness, “Just let the students know you love them, and they will learn.” It was the best advice ever, and it came from her heart of patience, compassion, and sincerity of spirit. 

Sister Marilyn’s funeral took place on Nov. 3 at St. Albert Chapel in the Motherhouse in Amityville, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial.