SISTER MARY PETER CLANEY

CLANEY SISTER MARY PETER
(FLORENCE CLANEY)
A Pittsburgh Sister of Mercy for 78 years, died at the Convent of Mercy on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. Born in Pittsburgh, PA she was 99 years old. Daughter of William and Caroline (Bond) Claney, Sister Mary Peter entered the Sisters of Mercy from Saint Andrew's Parish in Pittsburgh, PA in 1932 and made the final vows in 1938. Sr. Mary Peter earned a degree from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University. She taught and also served as principal in area Catholic schools including St. Agnes Oakland, St. Peter's North Side and McKeesport, St. Paul's Orphanage, St. Cyril, and St. Paul Cathedral. After retiring from teaching, Sr. Mary Peter worked at various other positions at St. Peters' school (North Side) until 1992. In her later years, she devoted time to volunteering at the Motherhouse and at Carlow University. Sister Mary Peter truly loved the children under her care at the orphanage or in the schools and always trusted that they would meet the high expectations she held for each one of them, expectations tied to the particular strengths she drew out of them. "Children know if you are for or against them," she said. A student that Sister mentored at St. Paul's Orphanage wrote recently, Sister, I want to thank you personally for coming into my life...probably when I most needed someone like you to take a special interest in me. You made me feel wanted, accepted and included." Similarly, Sister was a patient mentor to many young Sisters in their first teaching assignments as she discovered and drew out their strengths. These novice teachers gained inestimable experience and excellent guidance under her leadership as a principal. A woman of faith and great energy, a perfectionist who asked much of herself, Sister Mary Peter, had a ready smile and always took time to support others' efforts. Sister Mary Peter was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Dorothy Claney, Helen Rooney, Caroline Claney, Elizabeth Rogers, Ruth Windisch, and brothers William, Blair, James, and Milton Claney. She is survived by nieces Helen Windisch of Pittsburgh and Jean (Joseph) Turba of Pittsburgh, PA, Elizabeth LeBuffe of Downington, PA, Caroline Humphrey of Maryland, Florence (John) Marks of King of Prussia, PA and nephews William Claney Rogers of Silver Spring, MD, James (Betty) Rogers of Maryland, and Milton (Jackie) Claney of Greensburg, PA. Friends will be received Sunday, February 14 from 1-8pm at the Convent of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Avenue. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, February 15 at 11:00AM in the Chapel at the Convent of Mercy. Interment in St. Xavier's Cemetery, Latrobe, PA will take place at a later date. 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 Scholarship Program.
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