Sr. Mary Louise Updegraff

Sr. Mary Louise Updegraff, OSF June 28, 1932-November 3, 2023 Sister Mary Louise Updegraff, formerly Sister M. Janet, age 91, passed away on November 3, 2023, at Vincentian Home. She attended Holy Child Jesus School in Windber, PA, and studied music at St Joseph School in Johnstown. Sister Mary Louise was the daughter of the late Joseph Harry Updegraff and Mary Agnes McMullen. Her 5 siblings (Joseph, Donald, Eugene, James and Bernadette Ann) are deceased. She is survived by family members, including many nieces nephews and their families. A long-time friend, Carolyn Kealey, worked with Sister Mary Louise as a nurse and visited her regularly at Vincentian Home. Sister Mary Louise entered the Sisters of St Francis of Millvale on January 6, 1950. She was a middle school and junior high teacher in Pittsburgh and Johns before going to Puerto Rico in 1959, teaching in San Antonio and Santa Cruz until 1965. During that time, she took classes toward her undergraduate degree, as well as courses in violin. One of her students, Edgardo Daiz, came to Pittsburgh this August and had a wonderful reunion with Sister Mary Louise. Lots of music! After returning to Pittsburgh, Sister Mary Louise obtained a BS in Music Education from Duquesne, and a Master of Fine Arts (Music Ed) from Carnegie Mellon. She continued to teach music at Hiltop Catholic and Mt Alvernia High Schools. In 1994, Mary Louise embarked on a new ministry in health care. She attended Alvernia School of Practical Nursing and was a practical nurse in the infirmary at Mt Alvernia, St Francis Medical Center and Vincentian Home. In 2009, declining health found her providing congregational service for the Community at Mt Alvernia, including music ministry. She often played the violin for special celebrations or funerals for the Sisters. The "music" of Sister Mary Louise's life was a part of all she did as a teacher, nurse and Franciscan Sister. Her care and compassion sang of God's goodness, and we are grateful that she shared the song of her life with her Sisters, family, friends and so many whose lives she touched. The Sisters of St Francis are grateful to the staff at Vincentian Home for years of compassionate care for Mary Louise, and to Bethany Hospice for their loving support. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, November 7, at St. Aidan Parish, St. Alexis Church, 10090 Perry Highway, Wexford, from 10am until the time of Funeral Mass at 10:30am. Check Parish website for possible live streaming. Interment at Mt. Alvernia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, 225 Greenfield Parkway, Suite 208, Liverpool, NY 13088. Professional services trusted to D'ALESSANDRO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY LTD., Lawrenceville. www.dalessandroltd.com.

Sr. Mary Louise Updegraff

June 28, 1932 - November 3, 2023