Sister Mary Regis Reardon R.S.M.

1922 - 2021

Sister Mary Regis Reardon, R.S.M.

WORCESTER - Sister Mary Regis Reardon, 98, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, died Wednesday, March 10, 2021. She was born June 21, 1922 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the daughter of William F. Reardon and Lilla F. Hurley. Her early education was at the Tatnuck School, following which she graduated from Commerce High School. After entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1943, she earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Anna Maria College, Paxton and a Master of Education at Worcester State College.

As a young Religious, Sr. Mary Regis became an educator in the way of Mercy and compassion, teaching in parish schools at Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Heart, and St. Paul schools, in Worcester, at St. Aloysius School in Gilbertville, and at Nazareth Home for Boys in Leicester. She was then missioned to California, where she served as the Principal at St. Cecilia School in Tustin before becoming the Principal and Convent Superior at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Santa Ana.

Upon returning to Worcester in 1976, Sister Mary Regis was elected to serve the Worcester Sisters of Mercy as the Major Superior, a role which she fulfilled graciously and lovingly for the next eight years. She then began a new ministry as a member of the staff at St. Joseph Home for Women (now Abby's House), following which she became the coordinator of the Motherhouse on Barry Road in Worcester. In 1994, Sister embraced her final ministry as a volunteer at Mercy Centre, which she loved and from which she retired, moving to the Health Center at the Willows of Worcester, where she was lovingly cared for in the home she had loved and in which she served for so many years.

Sister Mary Regis is preceded in death by her parents, William and Lilla Reardon, her siblings, Jane McNamara, Susan O'Connor, Ann Sweeney, Joan Reardon, Martha Reardon, Constance Reardon, David Reardon, and Richard Reardon.

She leaves numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and wonderfully faithful friends, all of whom were dear to her heart.

On Saturday, March 13th, a calling hour will be observed at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester at 10:00 a.m., followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Her burial will take place immediately following the Mass at St. Joseph Cemetery, Leicester, MA.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 505 Mill St., Unit 155, Worcester, MA 01602.

The Athy Memorial Home is assisting the Sisters of Mercy with arrangements.