Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Mercedes O'Connor CSC

April 11, 1918 - Nov. 21, 2000

South Bend Tribune 11/24/2000

Sister M. Mercedes (Margaret Joan O'Connor) CSC, died on Tuesday Nov. 21 in Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Ind. Sister M. Mercedes was born in Ogden, Utah, on April 11, 1918, the youngest daughter of Martin and Elizabeth McMahon O'Connor. She was one of four daughters and is survived by her sisters: Sister M. Xavier (O'Connor), CSC, and Sister Elizabeth Marie (O'Connor) CSC, both at Saint Mary's, Notre Dame; and by nieces and nephews.

Sister M. Mercedes entered the congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, February 1938, and made her first profession on Aug. 15, 1940. Sister trained as a teacher and spent all of her teaching career in the Western United States. She began teaching Junior High at Saint Didacus School, San Diego, Calif., in 1940. In 1943 she moved to Saint Charles School, San Francisco, Calif., where she taught elementary grades for two years. The next move was to Beverly Hills Catholic School, Beverly Hills, Calif., in 1945, where she continued to teach in the elementary grades. Sister moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and taught in the secondary education department of Saint Mary-of-the-Wasatch, 1951-1952. She continued teaching secondary education from 1952-1954 at: Saint Agnes High School, Los Angeles, Saint Teresa's academy, Boise, Idaho, Holy Cross High School, Mountain View, Calif., and Judge Memorial High School, Salt Lake City. In 1964 Sister returned to Saint Mary-of-the-Wasatch in administration and teaching until 1971. She held the same positions at San Joaquin Memorial High School, Fresno, Calif. until 1973. Sister returned to Judge Memorial, Salt Lake City, in administration and counseling from 1973-1977. She went to Bishop Kelly High School in Boise and to teach, from 1977-1979, and then moved to Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana, Calif., as teacher and counselor until 1980. The next 11 years, 1980-1991 were spent at Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, as teacher and counselor. Sister Mercedes retired to Saint Catherine's Convent, Ventura, Calif., in 1991 where she was active in volunteer services until she came to Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame in 1995. She was active in volunteer service as she was able and then the ministry of prayer until her death.

Wake services will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's Notre Dame. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, followed by interment in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Saint Mary's Notre Dame. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's Notre Dame, IN 46556. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.