SISTER ELEANOR P. LOFTUS

LOFTUS SISTER ELEANOR P. (SISTER MARY MARTIN)

A Pittsburgh Sister of Mercy for 57 years, died at the Convent of Mercy in Oakland on November 2, 2018. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she was 76 years old. Daughter of Martin Joseph and Nora (Corcoran) Loftus, Sister Eleanor entered the Sisters of Mercy from St. Basil's Parish, Pittsburgh, PA in 1961 and made final vows in 1968. Sister Eleanor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University), a Master's degree from Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and a Ph.D. from Duquesne University. She taught in area Catholic schools including St. Agnes, St. Peter, Northside, St. Elizabeth, St. Paul Cathedral, Holy Trinity in Ligonier, and Colegio de la Merced in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She served as Director of Religious Education at Ascension Parish. Ellie taught in the Theology department at Carlow University and later served as Director of Campus Ministry. She also taught at St. Patrick College in Carlow, Ireland. In the late 1990s, she was Co-director of Daughters & Sons of Abraham, and, in 1998, she was honored by the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh for "promoting the Islamic values of inter-racial, inter-ethnic, and inter-cultural awareness in the Greater Pittsburgh area." Jubilee Kitchen, the Women's Shelter, and Breachmenders were among the organizations where she volunteered. A thoughtful and happy person, Ellie loved Rodgers and Hammerstein show tunes and Irish dancing. A caring and compassionate spirit marked her interactions with everyone. Sister Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; she is survived by her brother, Edward, of Boise, ID; and a sister, Ann Meenan, of Falls Church, VA. Friends will be received Tuesday, November 6 from 2-8 p.m. at the Convent of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Avenue where wake service will be held at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, November 7 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at the Convent of Mercy, followed by interment in St. Xavier Cemetery, Latrobe. Arrangements entrusted to the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or Carlow University.