Sr. Mary Maloney, SFP

Sister Mary Maloney SFP, once known in religion as Sister Mary Kevin, 91, passed into the heart of our good God on November 6 after living several years with renal failure. Mary was the second child of three, born to the late Joseph and Alice Graham Maloney on September 21, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY. At the young age of 17, Mary joined the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor after being deeply touched by the life witness of the Sisters’ care and love for the poor as a hospital volunteer. After completing her Formation, Sr. Mary was sent to study nursing, a good fit for her generous nature. She graduated from St. Michael School of Nursing in Newark, NJ. Recognizing her abilities, the Congregation sent her for further study at St. John University, NY where she obtained both her Bachelors in Nursing and her Masters in Nursing Administration. For a several years, Sr. Mary worked in the Congregational sponsored hospitals in the Northeast, which eventually included becoming the Director of Nursing at her alma mater, St. Michael Medical Center. In 1965, Sr. Mary volunteered to serve in the Congregational Mission in Brazil. She used her nursing skills in public health and in the inner city. She returned to the States in 1971 to serve in Congregational Leadership. Completing her term in Leadership, she assumed the position of Executive Director of the Franciscan Federation in 1974. Thereafter, Sr. Mary pursued a degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University, NY. Sr. Mary cherished her Franciscan identity throughout her life. In 1978, Sr. Mary once again volunteered to pioneer a new Congregational Mission in Senegal, Africa, where she established rural health clinics. After serving in Senegal for six years, she returned to the States to initiate a House of Contemplation in Warwick, NY while also directing an Interfaith Soup Kitchen (CHIPS) in Brooklyn, NY for close to thirty years. In 2017, Sr. Mary relocated from New York to Cincinnati, where she continued to volunteer her services to benefit the needs of others. Slowed down only because of late stage health issues, Sr. Mary offered her time of prayer and presence among her fellow Sisters in most recent years. Sr. Mary’s incredible life, speaks of one who was a person for others, willing to sacrifice for the cause of good, especially the poor and those in need. Sr. Mary leaves behind her fellow Sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, her sister Kathy and her brother-in-law, George Tazzari, along with nieces and nephew, many friends and associates over the years. Despite living at a geographic distance from family, Sr. Mary treasured her relationships with each of them. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Joseph. The Liturgy of Resurrection will occur on Friday, November 10 at 10am in St. Clare Chapel, 60 Compton Road. The Liturgy will also be livestreamed via Facebook at Franciscan Sisters of the Poor/ US Area. In lieu of flowers, kindly direct your donations to Franciscan Ministries, 110 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215.