Schwester Mary Nancy

Sister Mary Nancy                         ND 6478                          PDF Download

(formerly Sister Maureen Therese)

Nancy Ann PETRUCCELLI

Immaculate Conception Province, USA

Date and Place of Birth:              August 20, 1946    Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession:    August 15, 1974     Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:            July 28, 2020         Health Care Center, Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial:            August 3, 2020      Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio

“Go now in peace faithful friend of God…”

As children, Nancy and her younger brother, Vince, born to Fred and Ruth (Blayney) Petruccelli, enjoyed happy years where love and concern for one another were nurtured and blossomed. They especially appreciated family activities and summer vacation travel. Nancy attended St. Philip Neri parish elementary school in Cleveland and then Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland. It was during these high school years that she met the Sisters of Notre Dame and the seeds of a religious vocation were planted. After graduation, Nancy worked for several years before responding to God’s call, entering as a postulant on August 22, 1971. At investment, she received the name Sister Maureen Therese.

Sister earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, and a master’s degree, also in history, from Bowling Green State University. She pursued her passion for education as she ministered at Regina High School in South Euclid, Cleveland Central Catholic High School and, for twenty-eight years, at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in Chardon. To make her lessons interesting and alive, she read voraciously and traveled extensively. She searched out professional development workshops or courses which took her to historical places. She never stopped educating herself so that she could continue to educate others.

Sister Mary Nancy was a no-nonsense, direct person. Her sometimes demanding demeanor could be intimidating until her students realized that she not only wanted them to learn the subject matter, but wanted them to be the best they could be in all areas of life. She was serious about expectations and cared about each one’s progress. Sister incorporated the fundamentals of learning and study skills in her lessons. She set high standards that were valued by students long after they left her classroom.

Sister Mary Nancy also reached out in a “ministry of connections,” for which she is remembered and loved. Lasting friendships were formed with former students, colleagues and their families. Her keen intellect, quick wit and wisdom encouraged many beginning teachers to remember why they became educators. Sister loved her family and had a heart for sisters in community. She often accompanied them to gatherings and events, becoming a part of many extended families.

Sister Mary Nancy’s sudden and unexpected death shocked and saddened her family, her sisters and all with whom she had ministered. God embraced the human life of Sister and gifted her with eternal life. May she rest now in the unconditional love of our good and provident God.