Obituary of Sr. Mary Stephen Kelly

Sister Mary Stephen Kelly, Sister of Mercy. Sister Mary Stephen, 97 died on September 15, 2013 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ. Sister Mary Stephen was born in Philadelphia, PA. Her family moved to New Jersey and there she attended St. John School, Collingswood and Camden Catholic High School, graduating in 1934. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1936 and began her career in teaching. She served in St. Mary School, Bordentown; St. Mary Cathedral School and Immaculate Conception Schools, Trenton; Our Lady Star of the Sea, Atlantic City; St. Paul School, Burlington and St. Charles Borromeo School, Cinnaminson. She was also principal of St. Mary School in Alpha. After teaching for almost 50 years she provided secretarial and liaison services in the Alumni Office of Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ. Moving to Mount Saint Mary in 1984 she was a staff member in the Communication Office of the Sisters of Mercy. She earned a BA degree in elementary education from Georgian Court College and studied Language Arts at the University of Dayton, Ohio. Among the highlights of her long career in teaching was being named "Teacher of the Year" in 1966 in Alpha, NJ, she received over three million votes. Another cherished assignment was in the inner City School in Camden, NJ where she directed her students as they produced a documentary film, A Day in the Life, depicting the good and the bad features of living in the inner city. In 1995 she was honored at the Annual Sisters of Mercy Benefit Dinner/Dance at Caesars, Atlantic City for her twenty years of outstanding teaching at Our Lady Star of the Sea School and her influence upon the students in the South Jersey area. Sister Mary Stephen will be remembered as a loving and caring teacher and devoted family member. She is survived by many devoted and caring nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews who love her dearly. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center 1633 Highway 22 Watchung, NJ on Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Visitation is from 9:00 to 11:00 am, with the Welcome Home Service at 9:30 am. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ. Memorial Contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069.