Sister Mary Sullivan, 85, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sister Mary Sullivan 85, guidance director at St. Bernard’s

    Sister Mary Sullivan, 85, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, formerly known as Sister Mary Pius, died Dec. 29, 2017, at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, California.
    Sister Mary was born on Jan. 9, 1932, in County Cork Ireland, the daughter of Matthew and Bridget O'Sullivan and entered the Sisters of the Presentation on Sept. 24, 1954, professing her final vows Aug. 20, 1962. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Regina Coeli College in Fitchburg and master’s degree in education from Fitchburg State College
    Sister taught for 26 years at St. Bernard Elementary School, St. Bernard High School, Sacred Heart School and Holy Family School, all in Fitchburg and St. Mary School in Ayer. She also taught at St. Gregory School in San Antonio, Texas for two years. While at St. Bernard High School, she served as guidance director for 20 years. From 2003 until her death, she taught at Presentation Learning Center in Watts, California.
    Sister held the position of vice-president of the Presentation Community from 1989-1995.
    Besides her Presentation Community, Sister Mary is survived by her sister, Eleanor Braban in Dumont, N.J., her sister Margaret Barton in Dublin, Ireland as well as several nieces and nephews.
    She is predeceased by her parents and a brother Cornelius O'Sullivan.
    Sister Mary's funeral was celebrated last month in the  Presentation Convent Chapel, Leominster. She was buried in St. Bernard Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Presentation Retirement Fund, 99 Church St., Leominster, MA 01453 or be left at the convent.
    The Curley Marchand Funeral Home directed the arrangements.