Marilyn Cummins

“One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.”

–Psalm 27:4 

Sister Marilyn Cummins, SNDdeN was born in Boston, the daughter of Joseph and Rita (Collins) Cummins. She was the second of five children—two boys and three girls. Her family attended Mass faithfully, and during Sunday dinners, her father always asked two questions: “What was the Gospel today?” and “What was the homily?” 

Beginning in the ninth grade, Sister Marilyn attended Archbishop Cushing Central High School in South Boston, where she received a solid education and volunteered alongside the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart in ministry with children. Those experiences had a tremendous impact. “I was impressed with the Sisters of Notre Dame in particular,” she shares. “They were joyful and encouraging. I had a very happy high school experience.” 

Like many Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Sister Marilyn went into the teaching profession and found she thoroughly enjoyed it. She primarily taught throughout Massachusetts (Woburn, Brighton, Peabody, Methuen and Lawrence), and her favorite memories are of working with first- and second-graders. 

“I had the privilege of helping prepare the children for First Communion,” she says. “That was special to me. It was a gift, really. I received more from the children than I gave. They taught me many lessons.” 

One July, during a break from teaching, Sister Marilyn and two Sisters took a bus to West Virginia to work with two other Sisters. Fondly, Sister Marilyn recalls: “We taught Bible school in the backyard and did outreach in the area—painting, gardening, whatever needed to be done. We also went to the West Virginia State Fair, which was a lot of fun.” 

After several years on the East Coast, Sister Marilyn was invited to Birmingham, Alabama, where she taught second grade for five years. This became a highlight of her ministry. 

“The culture was so different,” she says. “I met many warm, wonderful women, and some of them became Associates of Notre Dame.” She still keeps in touch with them. 

In 2026, Sister Marilyn reflected on her 70 years of consecrated life: “The biggest thing I’m grateful for is being gifted by God to teach. I thank God that I had the gift because I loved the children and had a very happy experience teaching. I’m also very, very grateful to the Sisters I’ve lived with. Their goodness and dedication had a profound influence on my life. 

“I have experienced God’s goodness in so many ways in my life. I see goodness each day in my Sisters in community, and the staff here and others I have come to know over the years. My faith and trust in God carry me through.”

Updated in 2026.