Obituary of Sr. Mary Karen Horan
Sister Mary Karen Horan, daughter of William and Catherine (Moran) Horan was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 5, 1931. Her sister and brother, Catherine and Bill, also became her godparents. Raised in this faith-filled and loving family she was indeed blessed!
Sister Karen’s formal education took place at Holy Spirit Elementary and High Schools in Atlantic City, both staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. Over the years she enjoyed warm and friendly relationships with the Sisters, which had a profound influence on her.
After high school graduation she felt drawn to religious life and entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1949.
Sister Karen’s teaching career began as an elementary teacher at Saint Mary Cathedral School in Trenton. She credits those eleven years of her life as being the foundation of her joy in the field of education.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Georgian Court College (now University), and a Master of Arts in Education from Seton Hall University, she continued teaching in several elementary and secondary schools in the Diocese of Trenton and Metuchen, including Saint Mary School in Alpha, Saint Mary High School in Perth Amboy, Saint Matthias School in Somerset, SS Philip and James School in Phillipsburg, Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, and Saint Pius X High School in Edison.
Sister Karen later taught at Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, where she was also Director of Student Personnel Services. At this time, Sister lived at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, where she was impressed with the nursing care given to the retired Sisters. She felt an insistent call to consider this new ministry, then persevered in the challenges facing her, to complete studies and receive an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Gwynedd Mercy College, PA in 1983. Sister worked at McAuley Hall until 1994. She then returned to Mount Saint Mary where she served both the Academy and the local Community of Sisters in multiple roles. Her broad experiences had prepared her for this. In 2002 she received the Mercy Core Values Award.
Her innate warmth, empathy, generosity and friendliness were gifts to all whose needs she served. Sister Karen never doubted God’s designs for her, and rejoiced in each opportunity to serve as a Sister of Mercy.
Visitation will take place at Mount Saint Mary, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Wake: 9:00 – 10:30 AM
Welcome Home 9:30 AM
Funeral Mass 11:00 AM
Burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, 1200 Cedar Lane, Hamilton, NJ.
Donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Mount Saint Mary, 1645 US Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069. Thank you!
