Age 96
Sister Mary Louis possessed a passion for her religious vocation and her favorite ministry, teaching.
Born inDeLancey, Pennsylvania, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Titusville, Pennsylvania, at the age of 21.
She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania, and furthered her education with certificates from Mount Mercy College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and St. John College in Cleveland, Ohio.
She devoted 56 years to elementary students in schools of the Erie Catholic Diocese including eight years at St. Walburga in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and 32 years at St. George School in Titusville, Pennsylvania. In 1998, marking her retirement from education, she was awarded with a Teacher Award in recognition of
her 50 years of generous service to Catholic Education. Much earlier, in 1960, she was awarded for her dedication to teaching youngsters with the Papal Cross—Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice and locally with the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award, given by WJET 24 and Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.
In semi-retirement, Sister Mary Louis served for 14 years as a resident hall monitor at Mercyhurst University, where students shortened her name to “Sister Mary” and enjoyed her loving, firm honesty, and care for their well-being. Sister Mary Louis officially retired on her 90th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of love, care, and dedication.