Sister Marie C. Duffy (formerly Sister Marie Mark) died very peacefully in Camilla Hall on Monday, June 12, 2023, in the 71st year of her religious life. Sister died shy of her 90th birthday.
Marie C. Duffy was born on August 23, 1933. Her dear parents John Duffy, born in Ireland, and Agnes (Delaney) Duffy, born in Newfoundland, raised their family of three in St. Joan of Arc Parish in Philadelphia. Mary attended St. Joan of Arc elementary school (1939-1947) and Little Flower Girls’ High (1947-1951). Later, while in community, Sister Marie earned an A.B. Degree in History from Immaculata and an M.A. in History from Villanova.
Marie entered the Congregation on February 2, 1952; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Marie Mark, on August 18, 1952. Sister Marie Mark returned to the use of her baptismal name when that option was given. Sister pronounced her First Vows on August 16, 1954.
Beginning in the fall of 1954 throughout the school year ending in 1970, Sister Marie Duffy taught students in grade school (2, 4-5; 5-6, 7, 8). Sister served in Holy Family, Manayunk, St. Ann, Phoenixville, Good Shepherd, Camp Hill; Our Lady of Ransom, Philadelphia; Immaculate Conception, Levittown, and Sacred Heart, Philadelphia.
Sister Marie taught high school students from 1970 through 1989. Sister worked with students at Nativity, Pottsville, Lourdes Regional, Mt. Carmel, PA and Cardinal Dougherty in Philadelphia.
Sister Marie’s next ministry took her to Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia where she served in the Guidance Office from the fall of 1989 through the school year ending 2019. Sister worked closely with Ryan’s administration, her beloved students, students’ parents, and treasured colleagues. Sister brought gentleness, infinite patience, kindness, truth and guidance to each one she encountered.
In the fall of 2019, Sister Marie was invited to and accepted the invitation to be a member of Camilla Hall’s Apostolate of Prayer Community. Sister brought to this assignment all the gifts she squandered so faithfully down through the years. For 71 IHM years, Sister Marie lovingly, diligently, faithfully, and joyfully radiated her God in every convent, in every parish, and in every school in which she served and ministered.
In addition to her IHM Community, her Camilla Community, and long-time faithful IHM friends Sister M. Josephine McDonald, Sister Rosemary Davis, Sister Ruthanne Croley, and her loyal, devoted friend and cousin, Sister M. Theresa Duffy, IHM, Sister is survived by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and her sister-in-law Nan.
Sister Marie is predeceased by her parents John Patrick McManus Duffy and Agnes Marie (Delaney) Duffy, her brother John J. Duffy, her sisters Dorothy Reiher (Edward), Rita DeCicco (Charles) and her beloved niece Diane.
Reverend Michael Callaghan, CM and Rev. John Burger, SSC concelebrated Sister Marie Duffy’s Funeral Mass on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.; Rev. Michael Callaghan, CM delivered the homily.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355