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Sr. Mary Ellen Smith, OSU Obituary

Sr. Mary Ellen Smith O.S.U.

Ursuline Sister Mary Ellen Smith died peacefully at Andrus on Hudson on July 20, 2016. She was one of six children born to Simon Smith and Elizabeth McKillop in Fort Covington, NY. She was predeceased by her sister and 4 brothers. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, Malone, NY, in 1945, and entered the Ursuline Novitiate a month later. After religious profession she studied at the College of New Rochelle and graduated with a BA in History in 1951. This was followed by a Master’s degree in History from the College of St. Rose, Albany, and, over the years she studied at Hunter, Fordham, and other universities. She also received a certificate from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA., in 1981.

Mary Ellen’s education was put to good use in Ursuline schools: Notre Dame School and St. Joseph’s Academy, Malone; The Academy of Mt. St. Ursula and Our Lady of Mercy School in the Bronx; Ursuline Academy, Bethesda, MD; and Ursuline Academy High School, Wilmington, DE.

In 1987, Mary Ellen and another Ursuline, Sheila Murphy, moved to Longwood, Florida. Mary Ellen taught at All Souls Catholic School for 9 years and Annunciation Catholic Academy for 1 year. From 1991 – 2010 she was a member of Pax Christi in Orlando, Fl.

After returning to New York she spent 2 years in Malone, teaching at Holy Family School and volunteering at Mansion Nursing Home. She then returned to the Bronx and taught at Our Lady of Mercy School for 5 years. In 2004 she moved to the Ursuline Convent of St. Teresa, New Rochelle, and remained there until 2013, giving service to the community. In 2013, because of poor health, she moved to Andrus on Hudson.

Mary Ellen loved the earth and those who peopled it. She spent long hours on her knees in the community’s gardens undoubtedly thanking God for his goodness as she helped to make the grounds beautiful. Her studies in history and economics as well as her involvement in Pax Christi kept her in contact with creation on all levels. Her love for her family as well as for her students and Sisters was revealed in the gentle and kind way she interacted with people and all of God’s creation. She will be missed.

Mary Ellen is survived by several nieces and nephews. Her wake will be held on Tuesday, July 26, from 2 – 4 P.M.at the Ursuline Provincialate Chapel, 1338 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY, 10804. The Mass of Christian Burial will also be offered there at 4 P.M on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Ursuline Provincialate, same address. The burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, New Rochelle, will be held privately