Obituary of Sr. Mary O'Brian, R.S.M.

Sister Mary William O'Brien Sister of Mercy Sister Mary William, age 99, died peacefully on Friday, February 26, 2016 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, New Jersey. Sister Mary William was born to William and Nellie O'Brien in South Amboy, New Jersey, and baptized Marguerite in 1916. She was educated by the Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary elementary and secondary schools in South Amboy and was very attracted to the sisters and their way of life. Her mother however was opposed to her entering the community and was only convinced when Marguerite explained why she wanted to enter. Her brother Willy was handicapped and she said she could help him best as a sister by praying for him and for all those who were handicapped. She entered in 1934 and was assigned immediately to St. Mary Academy in Lakewood where she taught on the primary level and cared for children who boarded at the academy. Another responsibility was serving meals to women retreatants who also stayed at the academy. In due time Sister earned degrees in elementary education and in administration and supervision from Georgian Court College (now University) and Villanova University respectively. Over the course of 35 years, she taught in six elementary schools Trenton, Metuchen and Camden dioceses: St. Nicholas School, Atlantic City; St, Joseph School, West Trenton; Holy Spirit School, Atlantic City; Holy Cross School, Rumson; St. Joseph School, Bound Brook and St. Matthew School in Edison. Sister loved children, especially the rambunctious ones, and could manage large classes of kindergartners even when she, who small in size and stature, could not fit down the aisles. She served a few years as principal at Holy Spirit but much preferred to be the teacher where she could better exercise her mischievous and playful nature with the students. In her later years, Sister served as CCD coordinator at St. Matthews and 13 years as the director of religious education in St. Joseph Parish in Washington, New Jersey. When she was asked what she considered most essential in living religious life, she answered, "the gift of self." She did indeed, and very gladly too, give the great gift of herself to the thousands she served over her 100 years. Sister is survived by her devoted nieces and nephews Richard, Christine and Don O'Brien, Susan Harrington, Pat Nabor and Betty Miner and many Sisters of Mercy of the Mid-Atlantic Community. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center. Wake will be held on Wednesday March 2, 2016 from 9:00 to 11:00 am Welcome Home Services at 9:45 am Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am Burial in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ Memorial Donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community 1645 Highway 22 Watchung, NJ 07069