Sister Mary Elizabeth SSCJ

Sister Mary Elizabeth Guidry, SSCJ, age 76, a perpetually professed Sister of the Congregation of Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, entered into eternal life on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, after 44 years of religious life.

Sister Mary Elizabeth was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 13, 1949, to Joseph "Junior" Adams and Joyce Frosclair Everhardt Oney and given the name Linda Marie.

Adopted and raised by her grandparents, Alexander Guidry and Adella Hazel Chiasson Guidry, Sister Mary Elizabeth was a graduate of Holy Savior Central High School in Lockport and went on to further her education at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, St. Francis College, and Catholic Distance University. She worked in Louisiana as a teacher, catechist, housekeeper and even a newspaper reporter for a time.

Sister Mary Elizabeth entered the Congregation of Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 18, 1981, professing her first vows on June 18, 1984, her perpetual vows on June 18, 1989. She observed the Silver Jubilee of her religious profession on June 19, 2009, at Sacred Heart Province in Cresson, Pennsylvania.

Sister Mary Elizabeth served in the field of education and catechesis in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and in the Dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, Metuchen (where she was principal of Saints Philip and James School in Philipsburg, NJ), Wilmington, and Wheeling-Charleston. Her last assignment was in parish work in Swedesburg, PA. Since October 11, 2016, she belonged to the local house community of St. John Paul II at John Paul II Manor in Cresson, Pennsylvania.

In addition to her deceased religious Sisters, and her parents and grandparents, Sister was preceded in death by her siblings and their respective spouses, Alexander Guidry Jr., Gloria Guidry, Betty Foret (Frank), Joanne Bellanger (Bob), Nora Gautreaux (Nolan), Nelwood Adams (Earl), and George Everhardt.

Sister is survived by her brother, Perry Guidry and his wife, Robin; her sister-in-law, Arlene Guidry; and her fellow Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sister was exceptionally kind and gentle, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was sympathetic to all who were in distress, joining her tears with theirs. Sister Mary Elizabeth was very artistic, creating homemade cards, marked with her exquisite handwriting and calligraphy. Sister made an apostolate of prayer request group chats. She was always prayerful amid her suffering.

Vigil Rites for Sister Mary Elizabeth will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM in John Paul II Manor, 856 Cambria St., Cresson, with Monsignor Bernard Przybocki, Manor Chaplain, officiating. Viewing will follow until the beginning of her funeral service at 10:30 AM at which time a procession will form to go to St. Francis Xavier Church, 211 Powell Avenue, Cresson, for the celebration of her Mass of Chrisitan Burial at 11:00 AM. The Most Reverend Mark L. Bartchak, JCD, Bishop of the Diocese of Altoona Johnstown, will be the celebrant. The Reverend Father Leo F. Arnone, Pastor and Monsignor Bernard Przybocki, chaplain of John Paul II Manor, will con-celebrate the funeral Mass, along with other visiting clergy; and the Reverend Father Aron M. Maghsoudi, will serve as Homilist.

Committal will be in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Cresson, where she will be laid to rest alongside her fellow departed Sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister Mary Elizabeth's memory to the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 866 Cambria St., Cresson, PA 16630.

Funeral Arrangements have been made in conjunction with the Matthew R. Decort Funeral Home, 532 Main Street, Portage, PA 15946 (www.decortfh.com) and the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, PA 18704 (www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com).

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