EAST ORLAND – Marie Therese Ahern, RSM, Sister Mary William, died unexpectedly Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, after surgery at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Marie was born in South Boston, to the late William and Elizabeth (McCarthy) Ahern.
She grew up in Unionville, Conn., and graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy and attended St. Joseph College. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Diocesan Teachers College, Madison, Conn., and Master of Arts degree in history from St. Joseph College, now University of St. Joseph, West Hartford, Conn. Marie entered the Sisters of Mercy, Sept. 8, 1956, was professed on Jan. 28, 1959 and made her perpetual vows, June 28, 1962. Her vow of service to the poor, the sick and uneducated led her first to teaching at St. Margaret School, Waterbury, Conn.; St. Patrick School, Thompsonville, Conn.; Holy Trinity School, Wallingford, Conn.; St. Mary School, New Britain, Conn.; and South Catholic High School, Hartford, Conn., both in 1964 and again from 1969 to 1973. From there she moved to Provincetown, Mass., until 1976 to do parish ministry at St. Peter Parish. She also became very involved in local environmental issues. Her teaching then resumed at Mount St. Joseph Academy, West Hartford, Conn. During this time, a summer vacation trip up Route 1 in Maine led her to discover h.o.m.e., where she had devoted herself for the last 35 years to the poor and marginalized. h.o.m.e., a member of Emmaus International, in addition to direct charity, aims to develop skills among the people, to build community and to work to change the systems that oppress people. Marie first directed the Learning Center, then coordinated the construction of numerous homes for the poor through Covenant Community Land Trust and presently had the oversight of five shelters. Marie, an extraordinary gifted women with Gospel values, was love in action and found joy in her work and inspiration from those she served.
Marie is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Donald Olivieri of Old Saybrook, Conn.; brother and sister-in-law, William and Elaine Ahern of Farmington; nieces and nephews, Stephen, Michael and Mark Olivieri, Donna Staples, Mary K. Olivieri, Mark and Marie Ahern, and their families; Mercy community; Mandala Farm community; h.o.m.e. family; and many friends including Carol Eggers and the h.o.m.e. volunteers. She was predeceased by her brother, Timothy Ahern; and nephew, Brian Ahern.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, at Connor Chapel of The University of St. Joseph, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, Conn. Calling hours will be 2-5 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of St. Mary Home, 2021 Albany Ave., West Hartford, Conn. The Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, Conn., has care of the arrangements. A memorial service will also be held noon Sunday, Feb. 3, at Orland Methodist Church near h.o.m.e. Burial will be May 25 in Maine. Memorial contributions may be made to h.o.m.e. Inc., P.O. Box 10, Orland, ME 04472; or Sisters of Mercy, 55 East Cedar St., Newington, CT 06111-1103. Online condolences may be made at www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com.
Marie Therese Ahern
