Sr. Madeleine Marie Sautter RSM

Sister Madeleine Marie Sautter, RSM Sister Madeleine Marie Sautter, age 87, died Thursday, June 12 at McAuley Convent in Merion Station, PA. Sister had been Principal of Merion Mercy Academy and Archbishop Prendergast High School. She later was elected to two terms on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of Merion. As an educator, she enjoyed learning as much as teaching. After graduating from the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy in 1945, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in September, 1945. She professed her religious vows in 1948, and began her ministry in education teaching elementary students at St. Margaret (Narberth), St. Raymond, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and Holy Cross (Springfield) Schools. She also taught at St. Elizabeth School in Richmond, VA. During this time she earned a B.A. in Humanities from Villanova University. She later became certified in English, History and Latin. In 1954 she joined the faculty of Allentown Central Catholic High School to teach Latin and until 1967 taught Latin at St. Hubert High School, Cardinal Dougherty High School and Gwynedd Mercy Academy. She took classes during the summers, earning an M.A. in Latin and Greek in 1963 from the Catholic University of America. In 1967 she returned to Cardinal Dougherty High School as Prefect of Discipline then, in 1970, went to Archbishop Prendergast High School as Vice-Principal. During this time she pursued courses in School Administration at Temple University and the University of Notre Dame. Sister was Principal of Merion Mercy Academy from 1972 to 1980, during which time the Academy grew in enrollment and additional classrooms were opened in the Motherhouse Convent. In 1980 she was appointed Principal of Archbishop Prendergast High School. She is remembered by colleagues as a mentor and developer of young leaders. She left Prendergast in 1985 after being elected to the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of Merion. In addition to her responsibilities within the religious community, Sister was a member of several Boards of Directors including Gwynedd-Mercy College (now University) and Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania. After completing a second term with the Leadership Team she remained at Merion as Administrator of the Motherhouse. In 2001, she returned as a volunteer to Merion Mercy Academy as an Assistant in the Main Office. Health concerns caused her to retire to McAuley Convent in 2011. Sister Madeleine enjoyed travel and trips to the shore, talking about politics, and finding a good bargain. She was the sister of the late Mary Ellen McKeever (John), William R. and Francis L. Sautter. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Marie Sautter, and nieces and nephews. Services for Sister Madeleine will be Monday, June 16 at the Convent of Mercy Chapel, Merion, with a viewing from 6:00 – 7:00 pm followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 7:00 pm. Burial will be Tuesday, June 17 at 10:00 am in the Community Cemetery. Contributions in Sister's memory may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Avenue, Merion, PA 19066.