Sister Mary Edward Messier, 97

Sister Mary Edward Messier, R.S.M., 97

WORCESTER - Sister Mary Edward Messier, 97, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, passed away Saturday, Jan. 2. She was born Lillian L. Messier in Rochdale, Massachusetts, the daughter of Louis and Miselva (Robidoux) Messier. She was educated in the Leicester Public Schools. After entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1944, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Anna Maria College, Paxton, and a master’s degree in education at Worcester State College.

As a young religious, Sister Mary Edward taught in parish schools at Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart schools in Worcester and at St. Aloysius School in Gilbertville. In 1961, when Our Lady of Mercy School (now Mercy Centre) was established, she followed the lead of other Sisters of Mercy, who for many years, had prepared children with special needs, to receive the sacraments of first holy Communion and confirmation, and was among the first Sisters of Mercy to teach at the newly opened school. After three years, she was appointed principal at St. Cecilia School in Tustin, California, returning to Worcester in 1966 as principal at Mercy Centre.

During Sister's tenure at Mercy Centre, she was instrumental in overseeing the growth of the unique school, bringing about a speech pathology clinic, a sheltered workshop, a pre-school, a summer program and a religious education program for special needs children from local public schools. In her later years at Mercy Centre, she established a mission effectiveness program, training some the students to serve Mass, both at regular school liturgies and in some of their own parish liturgies, where they worshipped with their families.

While principal at Mercy Centre, Sister Mary Edward also served a term as a member the General Council of the Worcester Mercy community. After retiring in 2004, Sister Mary Edward continued to volunteer at Mercy Centre for another several years. She is fondly remembered by the former students and their families as a person who was a loving and extraordinary leader who made Mercy Centre a place of warmth and welcome for everyone.

On Thursday, Jan. 7, there will be a calling hour from 10 to 11 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in the church. She will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery, Leicester.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 505 Mill St., Unit 155, Worcester, MA 01602.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is assisting the Sisters of Mercy with arrangements.