Sister M. Irene Fugazy (Mildred), S.C., a member of the Sisters of Charity of New York, for 82 years, died May 18. She was 99.

Born in Manhattan, she attended St. Joseph Academy and St. Lawrence Academy H.S., both in Manhattan, before entering religious life. She was given the religious name Sister Irene Mercedes.

She received a bachelor’s degree in French from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, a master’s in French from Fordham University, a diploma from L’Institut Catholique de Paris, and a Ph.D. in French from Fordham University. Additionally, she pursued studies in speech, drama, and film at Fordham University and the Museum of Modern Art.

Sister Irene spent 19 years in elementary education in the Archdiocese of New York, and 10 years on the high school level.

She went on to teach French and work in public relations and development in the recently opened Elizabeth Seton College, Yonkers, 1963-67.

From 1967 to 1975, she was a professor of French at St. Joseph Seminary, Dunwoodie, and Cathedral College Seminary, Douglaston.

In 1972, she began working at Instructional Television (ITV) for the NY Archdiocese.

In 1991, she took on the task of publicizing the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. She followed many pilgrimages to Emmitsburg, Md., the creation of a traveling museum, story books, coloring books, holy cards, posters and a website, all for spreading devotion to Mother Seton.

After 16 years, she retired to Mount St. Vincent Convent in 2007. In 2015, she moved to St. Patrick Home in the Bronx.

Burial was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Yonkers.