Sister Dorothy M. Mayer (formerly Sister M. Annunciata, IHM) died peacefully on October 17, 2021 after a painful bout with cancer. Dorothy was born on May 13, 1940 in Philadelphia. Her parents William and Helen (Traum) Mayer raised Dorothy and her brother Bill in St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia. Dorothy attended St. Athanasius grade school and Little Flower High School from which she graduated in 1958. Later, while in Community, Sister earned degrees from Immaculata College and St. Charles Seminary.
Dorothy entered the Congregation on February 11, 1959; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Mary Annunciata, on August 17, 1959, and pronounced her First Vows on August 17, 1961.
In the fall of 1961, Sister went to St. Margaret Mary School in Essington. Sister taught children in grades 1 & 2 and Music for the first ten years of her teaching ministry. In the fall of 1971, Sister taught fourth grade children for three years and eighth grade children for one.
In the fall of 1975 through the school year ending in 1987, Sister Dorothy served the IHM/School Communities of St. Joseph in Reading, SS. Philip & James in Exton, and Holy Name in Philadelphia as Superior and Principal.
Sister next served as Principal of St. Matthew School in Philadelphia from August 1987 through the school year ending 1996, and St. Michael School in Annandale, Virginia until August 2006.
Sister Dorothy went to SS. John Neumann/Maria Goretti High School in August 2006 until the school year ending 2014. Sister ministered in the Student Services Office and served as Superior of the local convent, Mary Immaculate. During the next six years, Sister assisted at Bishop Shanahan High School in the Advancement Office and served as Superior at St. Agnes Convent.
In August 2020, Sister went to Camilla Hall to assist. Not long after Sister arrived at Camilla, cancer reared its ugly head. Sister served valiantly until her death on October 17, 2021. God rest her dear soul.
Her parents William G. and Helen (Traum) Mayer predecease sister. In addition to her IHM Community, her brother William and her sister-in-law, Helen, and her nieces, nephews, and grandnieces survive Sister.
Rev. Anthony Costa (Homilist), Rev. Joseph Brandt, and Rev. Michael Callaghan concelebrated Sister’s Funeral Liturgy on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355