Sr. Mary Murtagh

Sister Mary Murtagh, OSF, born Oct. 13, 1928, in Manhattan, died Jan. 12, 2017. At the age of 22, Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. On Sept, 8, 1950, Sister Mary entered the congregation, followed by receiving her first Reception on July 14, 1951, vows on July 14, 1953, and then her final vows into the order on July 14, 1956. For the past 22 years, Sister Mary served God as the director of pastoral services at Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. Prior to Clove Lakes, Sister served God in various locations and capacities throughout her religious life. She was a prefect, a teacher, director of child care, supervisor of child care, parish minister and volunteer. She worked with children and adults in St Elizabeth's Mount Loretto, Staten Island, Nazareth Nursery in New York City, St. Aloysius School in Mt. Loretto, St. Peter's in Pennsylvania, St. Stanislaus and Sacred Heart Schools in New Jersey. Sister Mary had a spirit of dedication to the communities she served. At Clove Lakes she designed an interfaith chapel that affords the residents the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God in a specialized setting. Most recently, Sister Mary's ministry involved care for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of all the residents, and ensuring that each resident's belief was individualized. On many occasions, Sister Mary stated that "the power of prayer is common to followers of every faith." Sister Mary's ministry covered all ages of life, from children to the elderly. Sister Mary is survived by her twin sister, Anne Murtagh, OSF, also a sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mildred Murtagh, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation is today, Friday, Jan. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Casey Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at St. Theresa Church on Victory Boulevard.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.