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Veronica Maher Obituary
Monroe
Sister Veronica Mary Maher, IHM, 86, died April 13.
Sister Veronica Mary was born in Detroit. She earned a bachelor's degree from Marygrove College in Detroit before entering the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, in 1951. She began her teaching career in Monroe and earned a Master of Science degree in biology from Michigan State University. A gifted student, she pursued scientific studies at the University of Wisconsin, earning a PhD in molecular biology in 1968. She gained research experience at Yale University and returned to Marygrove College to teach biology for several years.
In what would become the focus of her life-long ministry, she joined the research staff of the Michigan Cancer Foundation. In 1976, she began a 30-year career at Michigan State University as medical school and cancer research professor; co- founder and research scientist of the Carcinogenesis Laboratory and Associate Dean of Graduate Study.
Sister Veronica's contributions to carcinogenic research have been invaluable to the treatment of cancer. In recognition of her contributions to the university, the nation and the international community of scientists in her field, Sister Veronica Mary was awarded the highest honor at Michigan State University, the title of University Distinguished Professor, a title held by less than 1.5 percent of the faculty.
Sister Veronica Mary is survived by her brother, Henry and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, Tuesday, April 18, beginning at 9 a.m. A Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home, Monroe. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Ave., Monroe MI 48162-7909.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Veronica Maher
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2 Entries
Mary Margaret Hillebrand
July 6, 2017
She was a gifted teacher and an inspiration as a religious. She radiated joy and happiness
in her life. I was her student in biology at the IHM academy in Monroe. I was poor and
not up to par with most students but she thought me how to study and love science. I
earned my masters in nursing at Wayne State University on scholarship and a masters at
the University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit in psychology. Finally, I earned my PhD in
Clinical Psychology from the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was able to see Sister
before her death in 2012. At that time she was confined to her wheel chair. We share the same
birthdays. May the Lord whom she loved gather her into his loving arms.
Mary Jo O'Donnell Maher
April 16, 2017
Veronica is my beautiful sister in law of 52 years. I am married to her brother Henry. I will miss how much she loved our entire Maher family. She especially loved all of the children, and all of the children loved her! I think about how she said she 'waited to join the IHM order at her dad's request, until after she graduated from Marygrove College, so as to be home those four years to be there to help Aunt Jule Maher make a home for the twins, Henry and Veronica.' Her enthusiasm and joy at any family gatherings was evident! She loved family gatherings! I am happy that I had the chance to visit her at the Motherhouse these past six years, sad as it was to see her unable to do much, because I found her still very receptive, beautiful and loving. We would tell her about family and she listened intently and seemed to really still care about each one that we shared any 'news' about. She loved her work...she loved her friends, and she loved to sing! Her notes or cards are treasured and her beautiful handwriting was amazing to see! She appreciated each one of us and made us feel loved. She was happy for my husband, Hank, to have so many grandchildren to pass on his good Maher family traits to and she could see the joy the children brought him! Our family will miss ' Catherine' - that is what I called her - and I am happy she loved being a sister of the IHM order and proud of her many accomplishments as a scientist. I will miss coming to Monroe and just being there with her and I thank the women who took such good care of her thee past years in Memory Care. The sisters who visited her so often were such a gift to her. We know she was loved and cared for and we are so appreciative of that. Sr. Veronica Mary is enjoying this her first Easter in Heaven and she is at peace and getting the reward for a life well lived. She is with her family and friends who have gone before her! I loved her! I will miss her! I am thankful that she was my sister in law!
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