Sister Marie Sulpice Walsh, SSND
Sept. 9, 1922 – Feb. 28, 2019
A daughter, Mary Ann, was born to John Joseph, Jr. and Agnes Dwayer Walsh on Sept. 9, 1922, in Baltimore, Md. Mary Ann Walsh was baptized at St. Mark Church, Catonsville on Sept. 24, 1922, by the pastor, Rev. E. A. Williams. The Walsh family included Mary Ann’s sister, Helen Agnes, and her brothers, John Joseph III and Francis Patrick.
Mary Ann attended elementary school at St. Ann’s School in Baltimore and high school at the Institute of Notre Dame, graduating on June 13, 1940. At IND, she was the chairperson of Our Lady’s Committee of the Sodality. In her 1940 yearbook, Mary Ann is described as “ever brave and ever nobly devoted.” She worked as a secretary for three years before entering the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Mary Ann entered the candidature from her home parish, St. Ann’s on Aug. 29, 1943. At her reception into the novitiate on July 16, 1946, Mary Ann received the name, Marie Sulpice and professed her first vows on July 31, 1946.
Sister Marie Sulpice was sent to her first mission as third-grade teacher at St. Leo’s School, Irvington, New Jersey (1946-47). In December 1947, she moved on to teach seventh, then eighth grade at St. Mark School, Catonsville, Md. (1947-1958). Her next assignment was as principal at St. Joseph’s School, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (1958-64). Sister spent one year at St. Brigid’s School, Baltimore as eighth-grade teacher (1964-65), then returned to St. Mark’s School as principal (1965-71). She also was principal at Notre Dame Prep Lower School, Baltimore (1972-1979).
Sister Sulpice spoke of the life changes that she made in 1979. “Two new experiences occurred when I became Pastoral Minister at All Saints Parish, Baltimore and moved into St. Lawrence Convent, Baltimore, a newly founded community.” (1979-1983). Career changes continued in 1983 when she became Provincial Secretary to Sister Patricia Flynn. She remained as secretary to Provincial Leaders Christine Mulcahy and Jane Burke (1983-2000). Sister Sulpice provided
volunteer service to the SSND community at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and at the SSND archives (2001-2013) before moving to prayer and presence at Villa Assumpta.
In addition to the Normal School certificate Sister Sulpice received as a candidate, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland (now University) in 1965 and a Master of Arts in Education with a major in Counseling and Guidance from Villanova University in 1973.
Sister Marie Sulpice is described as a woman ahead of her time and a leader who often chose to act quietly when possible and boldly when necessary. She was a woman of integrity, the ultimate teacher, a trusted confidant and wise counselor.
Sister was amazing in her humanity and spirituality. She took time to notice others, understood their situation, was supportive and encouraging. Villa Assumpta Sisters said that she did so many kind things and never told anyone. She was known in her family as Sulpice, the fixer. Always ready with a well-turned phrase and lively sense of humor, Sulpice was well read, precise in her use of language and devoted to use of the dictionary.
Sulpice lived her life in the enduring, eternal presence of God. A quote from relative, Gene Walsh, SS guided her. “Jesus promises you two things: Your life has meaning and you’re going to live forever. If you get a better offer, take it.”
Sister Marie Sulpice died peacefully on February 28, 2019, at Maria Health Care Center. The Christian Wake Service was held on March 7 and the Liturgy of Christian Burial was concelebrated on March 8. Both services were held in the Chapel of Villa Assumpta.
Rev. John McCloskey OFM Cap., Villa Assumpta chaplain, was the celebrant of the liturgy. Concelebrating were Mgsr. Jay O’Conner and Rev. John Dietzenbach, friends of Sister Sulpice from her time as Pastoral Minister at All Saints Parish, Baltimore. Interment followed at Villa Maria Cemetery, Glen Arm Rd, Glen Arm, Md. Sister Marie Sulpice is survived by nephews: Michael, Tim and Brian Bateman.
