SISTER MARY PETER CLANEY

On this day, Tuesday, December 9, 2014, I had been thinking about Sister Mary Peter and the Sisters of Mercy, prompted by my parish and the church's request for support for the Retirement Fund for Religious. So I was online with the computer researching the Sisters of Mercy and St. Paul's Orphanage. I had tried to call the Motherhouse as I have done once before to find out how Sister Peter is doing. This is when I found the obituary for Sister Mary Peter. I decided to restore the Guestbook for a year and add my memories of Sister Mary Peter.

Sister Mary Peter entered my life at St. Paul's Orphanage when I was at a very despondent time. I was very alone with my feelings of isolation and loneliness. I was at the school band room where I was practicing my clarinet that I was being taught. After I departed the school and walking, Sister Peter encountered me and initiated a conversation. This is the very first time I recall anyone taking a personal interest in me. She apparently had been watching over me and knew I needed someone to talk to. Eventually, she asked me if I would like to be an altar boy. Thereafter, she personally taught me all the latin I needed to know for serving at Mass. She made me feel wanted and accepted and important. She did the same thing for me when she assisted me with my reading in Reading Class. She encouraged me and gave me confidence to read out loud in front of my classmates and corrected and quieted them when they tended to embarrass and interrupt me. Sister Mary Peter really took me by the hand. I owe my development of my reading skills and spelling skills to her. But mostly I am grateful that made me feel like a person, a human being. She made me feel wanted, needed, and loved. I have no doubt that she is now enjoying the fullness of joy in God's presence where she has been welcomed as the good and faithful servant who has done well and entered into the kingdom.

Sister Mary Peter is my great aunt. Here we are on a visit in 2007 on our camping trip to Yellowstone. She was very kind and engaging to our whole family, especially the kids.

Sister Peter was my eighth grade teacher at St, Paul's Orphanage 1946. She was my "Favorite". I had no idea that she was still with us. George Steffine-Aliquippa, Pa.

Sister Mary Peter was the principal of St. Agnes School when I attended from 1949 until 1957. She was very kind to me and to my family.

My mother was a widow with five children, the oldest eight years old and I was 14 months. Sister Mary Peter always made sure that we received toys each Christmas through St. Agnes.

I also attened St. Peter's High School from 1957 to 1961, where once again she was so kind. I always knew that she wanted the best for all the students in the school.

I never forgot Sister Mary Peter. She was certainly a very special person.

Patricia Connolly

My sister Carol and I had the good fortune to attend St. Agnes School
while Sr. Mary Peter was Principal. The 40's were a time of fear,
and yes, hunger for many of the children. Sr. Mary Peter was the
glue that held many of us together and made us know we were loved.
Barb Hilderson

I have known Sister Mary Peter most of my life.She was a good friend of my late Aunt,Sister Eleanor Will RSM. I use to see Sister while visiting the many schools that she worked in along with my Aunt..I still visit the Motherhouse every year and always looked forward to seeing Sister Mary Peter..She always had a beautiful smile on her face..She was such a kind and caring lady..I will never forget her and will miss seeing her when I visit Pittsburgh..I extend my sympathy to her family..May she rest in peace..

Sincerely,Karen Burroughs