Sister of Mercy Mary Estelle Martin died Jan. 21, 2016. She was 83 years old.
Sister Martin entered the congregation from St. Louis Parish in Pittsford in 1951 and professed her final vows in 1957.
A graduate of Our Lady of Mercy High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Siena Heights College in Adrian, Mich., and a master’s degree in art education from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Urbana.
She taught at St. Andrew in Rochester and St. Thomas the Apostle in Irondequoit, as well as Cardinal Mooney High School in Greece and Our Lady of Mercy High School in Brighton, where she also worked on set designs.
In the 1980s, Sister Martin pursued a liturgy degree at the University of Notre Dame. She was a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and served as a consultant for church renovation in the Diocese of Rochester and in other areas. She also was a graphic designer who created logos for parishes, the Diocese of Rochester and the Sisters of Mercy.
She was an active member of the Irondequoit Art Club and exhibited paintings in many arts show in the Rochester area.
Sister Martin is survived by her sister, Katherine (George) Shepard of Fairport;, many nieces and nephews; many friends; and her sisters in the congregation.
Her funeral liturgy was celebrated at Mercy Center in Brighton on Jan. 26, 2016, with burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610.
Tags: Religious Orders
