Obituary for Sr. Virginia Maxwell, O.S.U.
NEW ROCHELLE, Sister Virginia Maxwell, OSU, also known as Mother Marie Mercedes, beloved member of the Ursuline Community, died peacefully February 12th at Andrus, Hastings-on- Hudson.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, she was the daughter of Susan Gaffney Maxwell and Ignatius Maxwell. Sister Virginia is pre-deceased by her parents and brother Ignatius. She is survived by her loving Ursuline Community and several nieces and nephews.
Sister Virginia entered the Ursuline Order in Beacon, NY in 1938 and made her first profession in 1941. Sister Virginia spent most of her Ursuline years as a teacher and counselor. She began teaching elementary school in 1942 at The Ursuline School, then Blessed Sacrament School in New Rochelle, NY and St. Angela Merici and Our Lady of Mercy parochial schools in the Bronx, NY. She taught on the secondary level for several years at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula and a year at the Ursuline Academy in Bethesda, MD.
Sister held an undergraduate degree from the College of New Rochelle in English, and an MA in Applied Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in California.
Sister held a Master’s in Guidance Counseling from Fordham University and from 1971 to 1986 was a guidance counselor with the NYC Board of Education. She continued counseling until her retirement in 2011. The year before her retirement Virginia was a member of Project Bravo at Montefiore Hospital. Throughout her over 75 years of ministry and profession Sister Virginia communicated a contagious enthusiasm and love of life. She will be missed by her family, friends and Ursuline Sisters.
Visitation will be Friday, February 14 from 3:00-5:00 pm at the Ursuline Province Center, 1338 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10804. There will be a prayer service at 4:30 pm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 15 at 10:00 am in the Ursuline Province Chapel followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla.
Donations in Sr. Virginia’s name may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund at the North Avenue address.
Lloyd Maxcy and Sons, Beauchamp Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
www.lloydmaxcy.com