Sr. Mary Coleman Conroy, OSF

Sr. Mary Coleman Conroy, OSF On Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. Sister of John Conroy, Mark Conroy, Joseph Conroy, Agnes Fedor, Annamarie Bangert and the late Coleman Conroy, Frances Hurley, Margaret Gaertner, Veronica Conroy and Teresa Geever; daughter of the late Mark and Margaret Conroy. Sister Mary Coleman entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Millvale on February 2, 1948. For 28 years, she taught in various parochial elementary schools and 22 years in secondary schools throughout Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Puerto Rico. During her tenure as a teacher at Lawrenceville Catholic High School in the 1970's, Sister Coleman along with Sister Veronica Marie Phillips spent a summer conducting a census of the area. They discovered a critical need for affordable senior housing. In collaboration with Father Paul Kuppe, OFM Cap., then Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh, Most Rev. Anthony G. Bosco and businessmen Frank and Edward Schneider, the founded Christian Housing, Inc. In 1989, Sister Coleman received the No.2 Police Citizen Council Award in recognition for personal involvement, unselfish dedication and sincere commitment to combat crime in the community. During her life, Sister Coleman collaborated with pastors and city officials in securing federal money in order to provide affordable housing for thousands of senior adults. As she continued to advocate for senior housing, Sister Coleman also served on the leadership team for the Sisters of St. Francis in Millvale. Sister Coleman will be remembered as a Franciscan woman of unlimited generosity who was compelled to serve the needs of many. She did not shy away from challenges in her quest to provide dignity to the elderly. She saw what was needed and simply found a way to be a true instrument of peace for all people. Visitation at the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Mount Alvernia, 146 Hawthorne Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15209 on Monday, September 10, 2018 from 2pm until time of a wake service at 6:15pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities Chapel at Mount Alvernia on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10:30am, followed by burial in Sister's Cemetery at Mount Alvernia. Professional services trusted to D'Alessandro Funeral Home and Crematory Ltd., Lawrenceville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Ministry, Retirement Fund. 146 Hawthorne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209.

Sr. Mary Coleman Conroy, OSF

May 7, 1931 - September 8, 2018