Sister Mary Kelly, SSND
January 19, 1935 – January 27, 2025
Mary Kelly was the first girl born to Francis Kelly and Mary Brereton of Brooklyn, New York on January 19, 1935. She had two older brothers, and later four more girls would be born. She was baptized Mary Catherine by her devout Catholic parents, and at six was sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Agnes School, from which she graduated in 1949. She spent her high school years with SSNDs at St. Saviour High.
In junior year she broke her ankle and one of the Sisters sent her the book “Running Waters,” an account of the life of Mother Caroline, pioneer to the American mission in 1847. Mary wrote in her autobiography, “During my convalescence after reading it, I conceived the desire to become a daughter of Mother Caroline.” She graduated in 1953 and worked as a receptionist for Equitable Life Insurance company. After a brief time, she acted on her desire and received the Candidates’ Bonnet on August 28, 1954, at St. Saviour Church.
A year later at Reception, Mary received the religious name M. Joseph Sarto, St. Pius X’s name, and was missioned to St. Mary Elementary School in Buffalo, New York where she spent 1957-58 and ‘59- ‘63. St. Clement in Saratoga Springs, New York was her obedience in the year in between. Five years followed at Most Holy Redeemer, East 4th Street, New York, from 1963 to 1968. After these years of teaching, Sister Mary served as principal at St. John Nepomucene School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and again as Leadership/Teacher at St. Anselm, in Brooklyn, NY, until 1975.
At St. Lawrence at Sayville on Long Island, she first served as teacher and then as Principal until 1992. When the school became Prince of Peace Regional School, she was appointed principal until 2002. St John Evangelist, in Leonia, New Jersey then claimed her expertise until 2010.
This recital of Mary Kelly’s self-giving leadership in schools totals 57 years but there is one more notation to make it complete: she was a teacher assistant at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Tenafly, New Jersey from 2010 to 2022. During these years she was also tasting retirement in the Bergenfield Convent and in her final residence with Sister Marie Kathleen Dunham in Dumont, New Jersey. Her “obedience” called it prayer and presence. Mary worked totally in education. . . the very essence of Mother Theresa’s vision.
Here is what Marie Kathleen Dunham said about Mary at her wake service:
“Mary was a strong administrator and ran a well-disciplined and innovative school. She loved the children and knew every student by name. Even though they were afraid when they were in trouble, they knew where to go when they needed help. The children always came first, and they knew it.
I came to know Mary in 1975 when we were both missioned to St. Lawrence in Sayville, Long Island. We lived, prayed, and worked together in Sayville, and then in Leonia, New Jersey. We became part of each other’s families sharing good times, celebrations, vacations, and sad times.
Mary loved the beach; the ocean was her friend. Living on Long Island, only a short distance away, we went summer and winter. She gave me a love for the beach as well, taught me how to ride the waves and really enjoy the ocean. Mary was a loyal, faithful friend. She was the sister I never had. She maintained a balance of strength and gentleness, a quiet sense of humor and enjoyed a good time.
Mary had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother, always had a rosary. She frequently said that Mary took care of her. We celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends the Sunday before she was admitted to the hospital. She delighted in seeing her sisters, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, nephews, and friends. May Mary continue to celebrate life with the Blessed Mother and her God.”
Sister Mary Kelly’s wake service and funeral Mass were celebrated at St. Andrew Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on February 5, 2025. Rev. John Savard, SJ, celebrated the funeral Mass. Mary’s sisters Ann Murphy, Bea Minardi, Cathy Hussey, Margaret Duggan, and members of their families attended the services with many sisters from the Watermark community. Interment followed at St. Mary’s cemetery in Bethel, Connecticut.
Sisters Kay O’Connell, SSND and Marie Kathleen Dunham, SSND
