Obituary of Sr. Marina O'Donnell

Sister Marina O'Donnell, Sister of Mercy Sister Marina O'Donnell was born in Washington, DC, on May 28, 1922, one of 7 children, to William and Mary (Hanlon) O'Donnell. She received her elementary and secondary education at Georgetown Visitation Convent in Washington, DC, and was awarded a B.A. in Social Science in 1944 from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, New Jersey. Entering the Sisters of Mercy on September 23, 1945, Sister Marina spent most of her professional life as an elementary school teacher. However, in her later years, she ministered to those who were poor and suffering. Her home and hospital visitations were a special gift to the many, many, people who awaited her presence. Sister Marina ministered in the dioceses of Camden, Metuchen and Trenton. She taught at St. Joseph's School, Bound brook, NJ, Sacred Heart School in South Plainfield, NJ, St. Paul's School, Princeton, NJ, Immaculate Conception School, Camden, NJ, St. John School, Lambertville, NJ, and St. John School, Paulsboro, NJ. Sister was also administrator of Mercy by the Sea in Ventnor, NJ, served as a volunteer at Holy Spirit Convent, Absecon, NJ, and at St. Francis Cathedral Parish, Metuchen, NJ. She is best remembered by her Sisters, family and friends as a generous and faithful person who always had an opinion and held to it. Her niece and nephew were the delight of her life especially in her later years. Her first grade student, Monsignor Richard Behl was never far from Sister Marina's thoughts and prayers. She was so proud of him as her student and as a good, priestly priest. She is survived by her niece Kay Inglesby and Kay's husband, Tom, of Summit, NJ and many loving nieces and nephews Throughout her many years of teaching and pastoral care, Sister Marina brought Mercy and Compassion to a world in critical need of these gifts. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, 1633 US Hwy 22, Watchung, NJ on Friday, December 21, 2012. The Wake will be from 9AM to 11 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, McAuley Hall Health Care Center 1633 US Hwy # 22, Watchung, NJ 07069.