Sister Mary Kruckow (Sister Mary Matthew), RSM, who served in a variety of capacities for the Rochester Sisters of Mercy, died March 29, 2006. She was 89 years old.
Sister Kruckow was born Marie Kruckow and entered the order in 1935 from St. John the Baptist Parish, Elmira. She professed her perpetual vows in 1941.
She taught at St. John the Evangelist, Humboldt Street (1939-43) and St. Charles Borromeo (1943-44), both in Rochester; St. Cecilia, Elmira (1944-51 and 1956-61); St. Mary, Corning (1951-54); St. Louis, Pittsford (1954-56) and St. Vincent, Corning (1961-69).
In 1969 Sister Kruckow became principal of the Corning regional schools, holding that position for the next four years. In 1973 she began ministering to the rural poor in Steuben, Schuyler and Tioga counties. She also worked as a home health-care aide for three years. In 1985 she entered parish ministry at Immaculate Conception in Ithaca, where she continued until her 1995 retirement.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Sister Mary Carmel and Sister Mary Alphonsus, who were also Sisters of Mercy. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as her sisters in the congregation.
Sister Kruckow’s funeral Mass was celebrated April 1, 2006, at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse in Rochester. Interment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610.
Tags: Religious Orders
