We pray in gratitude for the life of Sister Marie Ann McDonald who died on May 13, 2020 at the age of 73.
Joyful simplicity, genuine concern, and faithful friendship are three of the gifts that Marie McDonald has shared with us in Notre Dame. As teacher (St. Mary of the Annunciation, Danvers; St Mary High School, Cambridge; Notre Dame Academy, Hingham), Novice Director, Campus Minister (University of Maine, Orono and Boston University), Provincial Team Member (Ipswich), Property Manager (Ipswich), Marie was always aware of and called attention to the needs of the poor. Her love of God's people and of her Notre Dame Community were marked by both a good sense of humor and a true openness to others.
An avid Red Sox fan, her request to them revived the annual Nun's Day at Fenway Park! Her family, band members, and sisters in community at Ipswich and most recently Long Term Care appreciated her attentive caring. To know Marie was to love Marie and to be loved by her.
– Barbara-Jean Kubik, SNDdeN
Sister Marie was born in Lynn, daughter of Philip A. and Alice C. (Brown) McDonald. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Lynn and from Salem State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education in 1968. She received her Master of Arts degree in Formative Spirituality from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1976 and her Master of Science degree in Community Economic Development from New Hampshire College in 1991.
Sister Marie entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1968. After six years of teaching at Sisters of Notre Dame affiliated schools, Sister Marie became, in 1976, the Formation Director for the Ipswich Province of the Sisters of Notre Dame. In 1982, she joined the campus ministry staff at the University of Maine, and later at Boston University and Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody. From 1989 through 1993, she was the administrator of the Catholic Charities Food Pantry in Lowell. In 1996, Sister joined the leadership team for the Ipswich Province of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. After two years of campus ministry at Emmanuel College, she became an administrator of special projects for the Sisters of Notre Dame.
She leaves a brother, Richard McDonald and his wife Elaine, a niece Kerrin Morrin, a nephew James McDonald, three grandnieces, Cecelia Morrin, and Cora and Alice McDonald, two grandnephews, Nathaniel and Noah Morrin, and her religious family, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
She is buried in Notre Dame du Lac Cemetery in Worcester. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date when restrictions on gatherings are changed.