Sister Mary Beth Read, OSU, served the Ursulines of the Eastern Province for 60 years as an educator, administrator, and parish minister in the Bronx and Yonkers, bringing deep faith and compassionate care to all she served
Sister Mary Beth Read, OSU, a beloved member of the Ursulines of the Roman Union Eastern Province, USA, for 60 years, entered eternal life peacefully on March 9, 2026, at Andrus on Hudson Nursing Home.
Sister Mary Beth was born in Philadelphia on January 8, 1946, the daughter of John Read and Mary Loughran. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Delaware. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in religious education from Fordham University. She also received certification in educational administration from Fordham/Manhattan College. Her ministry in the South Bronx impelled her to participate in the New York Archdiocese Spanish language program, which offered her the opportunity to study in Puerto Rico.
She began her ministry in education at St. Jerome’s parochial school. She then served as a teacher and later as an administrator at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx. Sr. Mary Beth also served in parish ministry, first at St. Jerome’s Parish and then at St. John the Baptist Parish in Yonkers. She brought her deep faith and compassionate care to these ministries.
Sister Mary Beth entered the Ursuline community in 1966 and served as a provincial councilor, on several committees, and as a trustee of Ursuline Academy. She will be remembered by her Ursuline sisters, family, and many friends for her kindness and gentle presence.
She is survived by her brothers, James and Robert, her sisters-in-law, Roberta and Paula, and several loving, caring nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother John.
Visitation for Sr. Mary Beth is on Saturday, March 14, 9:15-10:15 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., at the Ursuline Province Center, located at 1338 North Ave., New Rochelle, New York. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
The funeral will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/events/26576560998595973/
Donations in Sr. Mary Beth’s memory may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Development Office, 1338 North Ave., New Rochelle, New York 10804.