Born to Eternal Life + Sister Mary Leonard Fuginadeparted this life on Friday, November 12, 2004 in the seventy-first year of her religious life Age – 87 years, 3 months, 11 days Funeral – Monday, November 15, 2004 at 3:30 p.m. “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord…who seek God with all of their hearts.”
The responsorial psalm for Friday morning's Liturgy was very appropriate in describing Sr. Mary Leonard as she lived her life in a quiet humble way following the law of the Lord. She had received the Sacrament of the Anointing on Wednesday, November 10 and apparently suffered one or more strokes on Thursday. When Sr. Roseanne Krantz visited her on Thursday morning, she asked her whether she was ready for her journey home and she responded, “yes.” She left this world on the journey to her God on Friday evening at 6:45 , giving over her life to God very peacefully and without effort. Mary Fugina was baptized at St. Cyril & Methodius in New Brighton , PA and entered the community at the age of 20. Her classmates aptly called her the “philosopher,” as she was always in a learning posture and a deep thinker. After completing her bachelor's and master's degree in education at Duquesne University , she went on for her doctorate in education at the University of Pittsburgh , writing her dissertation on the Montessori method. After completion of her doctorate she served as Academic Dean for three years at the then fledgling La Roche College. Sr. Mary Leonard loved to read and was often found to be reading two books at the same time. She enjoyed mystery stories but was also fond of history, as evidenced by her possession of a recently published book on the lives of the Presidents. She also liked to work puzzles. From the time of her first vows in 1937 through the mid-seventies, Sr. Mary Leonard was involved in the ministry of education, having taught at many schools including Wheeling , W.V., St. Basil, Carrick, Arecibo and Utuado, Puerto Rico, Divine Providence Academy and Canevin. Because of her interest in history, she gladly took on the position of Archivist for the community in 1977, serving faithfully in this capacity for almost 20 years. Friends describe her as cooperative, pleasant, available, quiet, unassuming and of course, a scholar. She had a rather dry sense of humor and was quite witty. She often prayed with the Gospels, reflecting on the life of Jesus and “followed the law of the Lord…seeking God with all of her heart.” May she enjoy the presence of this God whom she loved and maybe still find time to read a book or two! Feastday: November 26 SCW
|
