Sister Mary Catherine Cleary, Sister Lawrence Mary, was born Jan. 29, 1941, in the Bronx. She was one of four children, three daughters and one son, born to Lawrence and Mary Lillis Cleary. Mary Catherine attended Our Lady of Solace Elementary School in the Bronx and Cathedral High School in Manhattan. She worked for one year before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on Sept. 8, 1959. Sister Mary Catherine earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Mount Saint Vincent (now the University of Mount Saint Vincent) and a master’s degree in education from Fordham University. She earned New York State Permanent Certification for Grades N-6 and School Administration.

Sister Mary Catherine’s 52 years of active ministry were dedicated to education on the elementary level as a teacher and administrator. Her assignments included Holy Trinity in Manhattan; Saint Gabriel in Queens, where she served for 16 years; Incarnation in Manhattan; Our Lady of Angels, where she served for 29 years; and Saint Raymond, with both Our Lady of Angels and Saint Raymond located in the Bronx. When she retired in 2014, she remained a volunteer at Saint Raymond for eight years and lived in Rosary Hall in the Bronx. She later moved to Cabrini of Westchester in Dobbs Ferry, where she resided when she died July 7, 2026, in her 67th year of commitment as a Sister of Charity of New York.

Sister Mary Catherine was very attentive to the needs of parents who wanted a Catholic education for their child. For working parents, she arrived early at the school to receive children who needed to be dropped off and provided after-school programs to keep them later for pickup. With an easy ability to learn names, each child was recognized and acknowledged individually. Her creative flair filled hallway spaces with seasonal decorations, making school a happy place. Praised as an excellent teacher and administrator, she was recognized by the Archdiocese of New York with the Elizabeth Seton Compassionate Educator Award in 2004.

Sister Mary Catherine found joy in life and in sharing good laughs with friends. She relished a chat whenever she met a former student, teacher, or parent. A trip to buy a book or a meal out with a friend was a favorite way to relax at the end of a school week. For her, family was important, marked by closeness to her sister, Sister Catherine, a member of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her cousin Patricia Farrell. Even-tempered and with a “happy to help” approach, she was a good friend to many through the years.

Sister Mary Catherine, as the woman of worth in the Book of Proverbs, your hands are full of good works as you meet our loving God. Eternal life is the promise, and God’s answer to the promise is always YES to those who remain faithful.

Reception of the Body
July 10, 2026
9-10:30 a.m.
Prayer service at 10 a.m.
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Livestream link: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db

Mass of Christian Burial
July 10, 2026
10:45 a.m.
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Livestream link: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db

Interment
Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, 209 Truman Ave., Yonkers 10703