Sister Elizabeth O'Hare

Sister Elizabeth (Sister Mary Gregory) O'Hare of the Sisters of Mercy died peacefully on April 14, 2017 at St. Mary Home, West Hartford. Born in Dorchester, MA to the late James and Marion (Donaher) O'Hare, she was raised in East Hartford and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1949. Sister Betty professed her vows on June 28, 1952. Prior to becoming a sister, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of New Rochelle. She pursued advanced studies at Fordham University receiving a M.A. degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. After a brief period as clinical psychologist at Gengras Center, St. Joseph College, now University of St. Joseph, Sister Betty was promoted and appointed academic dean and assistant professor of psychology, which position she held for nearly a decade. She accepted a position as Executive Director of St. Agnes Home and Lourdes Family Center in West Hartford before going into clinical practice as a psychotherapist in Syracuse, NY and later Athens, WV. In 1998 Sister returned to CT where she completed her ministerial service as adjunct psychology professor at Hartford Seminary. At an early age Sister Betty cultivated her desire to help those in need. Her youngest brother refused to go to kindergarten unless Betty walked him to school each day gently encouraging Frank to be strong enough to go by himself. As a clinician, she developed a distinctly warm, personal ability for working with persons of all ages. She combined kindness, humor and caring to help restore self- confidence, a worth beyond clinical matters. With heartfelt compassion and dedication she responded to the needs of unnumbered, appreciative clients throughout her extensive career as a psychotherapist, teacher, advisor and friend. Even in retirement, Sister Betty continued her therapeutic ministry, voluntarily reaching out to those men and women enduring hardship, who found comfort in her wise counsel. With news of her passing, they wept for the loss of their treasured advisor and friend. Sister Betty is predeceased by all four of her siblings. She is survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and her grateful community of the Sisters of Mercy. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated 6:00 pm, on Thursday, at St. Mary Home, 2021 Albany Ave., West Hartford, preceded by calling hours beginning at 3:00 pm. Burial will take place on Friday at 9:00 am in St. Mary Cemetery. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Sister's name are asked to consider Sisters of Mercy, 55 E. Cedar Street, Newington, CT 06111. Dillon Baxter Funeral Home has care of the arrangements.