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To the Editor:
The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill lost one of their own as Sister Mary McLaughlin, O.P., passed away on Feb. 10 (CNY, Feb. 20). She taught in several places in Brooklyn, Long Island and Westchester, but spent most of her years at good old St. Brendan’s School in the Bronx. Earlier Brendanites would have known her as Sister Andrew Marie. Sister Mary spent most of those years teaching seventh- and eighth-grade math.
While we all feared her before having her as a teacher, we quickly learned that we were being taught by one of the best. She prepared us all so well for the high school co-op exam. My brother reminded me about her many teaching skills, like her regimen of all of us having two composition notebooks. He also referred to her as the consummate teacher and nun. She also provided many “life lessons” for all of us.
The Sparkill Dominicans have lost several Sisters already this year. As we pray for Sister Mary’s soul, it’s a perfect time for us all to remember that these Sisters need our support, as well as our prayers. Many of them are retired and infirmed and could use our help. Rest in peace, Sister Mary, you will be missed.
Jim Salerno
West Palm Beach, Fla.
The writer is a member of the Class of 1979 of St. Brendan’s School.
