Age 85
Sister Mary Bride lived her life with grace, love and kindness leaving behind a cherished legacy.
One of eight children of Irish immigrants, Bride met the Sisters of Mercy in her grammar school, St. Patrick’s School, and again at Bishop McDonnell High School, both in Brooklyn, New York. She was impressed by their kindness and friendliness and, after working for a time in a bank, she decided to enter the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 19 in Syosset, New York.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from St. John’s University in Queens, New York, and a master’s degree in history from Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. An excellent teacher and mentor, she taught in the Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, New York, dioceses for nine years before becoming the assistant principal at St. John’s Preparatory School in Astoria, New York, for 44 years. Students loved her sense of humor, energy, support of the school’s sport teams and the sense of community she nurtured with the teachers and staff wherever she taught.
Bride was also a dutiful family member, finding the time and strength to be with her family in both sad and joyous times. Admired for her beautiful sense of kindness, caring and love of mercy, her influence will continue to shape the lives of all she encountered.