Sister of Mercy Mary Virginia Sweeney, 83, died Sept. 21,2003, at the
congregation’s motherhouse in Brighton.
Sister Sweeney entered the Sisters of Mercy from her home parish of
St. John in Spencerport in 1939 following her graduation from Our Lady
of Mercy High School in 1938. A registered nurse, she received her
nursing certificate from St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell in
1944.
In addition to two nursing assignments at St. James Mercy and one at
Mercy High School in the 1940s, Sister Sweeney served again as a nurse
at St. James Mercy from 1958-64. She also taught at a number of
diocesan schools including St. Mary, Corning; and Holy Cross, St.
Charles, St. Mary, St. James, St. Andrew and St. Thomas, all in
Rochester. She then worked in the Mercy High School library and as a
clerical assistant for the congregation. Since her retirement in 1995,
she had served in the order’s spiritual apostolate.
Sister Sweeney is survived by her sister, Mary (Richard) Burke;
brother, Robert (Mary Lou) Sweeney; nieces, nephews, great-nieces,
great-nephews and cousins; and her sisters in the congregation.
Her funeral liturgy was celebrated at the motherhouse chapel on
Sept. 24, 2003, by Father Robert Bradler with burial at Holy Sepulchre
Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 1437
Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610.
