Sister Mary John Madden

Sister Mary John Madden, age 96, a Sister of Mercy known for her lovely smile and Irish Brogue, died on Saturday, September 4, at Marian Center at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont.

She was in her 80th year as a Sister of Mercy.

Born in 1914 to Margaret Doyle Madden and John Madden in Limerick City, Ireland, Sister Mary John immigrated to the United States in 1930 after her mother died. She and her two sisters came to Sacred Heart Academy in Belmont to complete their secondary education.

Influenced by her aunt, Mother Mary Raphael Doyle, who was a Sister of Mercy, Sister Mary John entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1930 at the age of 16.

Sister Mary John received her bachelor’s degree in history from Belmont Abbey College and her master’s degree in history from St. John’s University in New York. Much of her ministry was in education as a teacher and administrator in most of the schools staffed by the Sisters of Mercy throughout North Carolina and on Guam.

After serving as director of formation to help direct and develop young women entering religious life in Belmont, she was appointed Regional Superior of Guam for four years.

Sister Mary John officially left her ministry in education in 1997 and moved to Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. However, as one of the most active sisters imaginable, she was not ready for retirement quite yet. Instead, she began an active ministry of visitation of the sick and homebound from Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont. At the time of her retirement from that ministry the pastor of the church said about her and her companion in ministry, Sister Josephine Maria Thomas. “They were tireless in caring for the homebound and the sick. They did their work with a smile. Their energy energized those they visited. In their words and selfless actions they have shown us one way to live the Gospel with commitment and joy. The effect of their witness will resound in hearts and lifetimes here far beyond the years they have spent in ministry here.”

In April of this year Sister Mary John had the joy and privilege of celebrating 80 years as a Sister of Mercy. During those years she was devoted to the care and welfare of those who needed her assistance. She was prayerful, disciplined and a wonderfully engaging companion up to the moment of her death.

Sister Mary John is survived by her religious community, and her nieces and nephews.

The Vigil Service will be held Tuesday, September 7, at 7 p.m. in Cardinal Gibbons Chapel at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. Visitation will follow. The Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, September 8, at 10 a.m. at Cardinal Gibbons Chapel. Burial will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.

Carothers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Sacred Heart Convent, 100 Mercy Drive, Belmont, N.C. 28012-4805.