Sister of Mercy Mary Ruth Gilligan died Nov. 7, 2010, at age 87.
Sister Gilligan entered the congregation in 1941 from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Greece and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 24, 1947.
She taught at St. John Evangelist School, Rochester; St. Patrick School, Owego; St. Thomas the Apostle School, Irondequoit, where she also was principal; St. Salome School, Irondequoit, where she also was principal; Cardinal Mooney High School, Greece; and Our Lady of Mercy High School, Brighton. In later years she was assistant to treasurer in the finance department at the motherhouse/Mercy administration office, and in 2000 she participated in the spiritual apostolate.
She is survived by her brother-in-law, Marvin (Winona) Smith; sister-in-law, Dolores Gilligan of Texas; nieces and nephews; and her sisters in the congregation.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 11, 2010, at Mercy Center in Brighton. Interment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610.
