Biography

Sister Mary Aurea Kirkpatrick, RSM, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy died at Mercy Center on Wednesday, August 8, 2012.

The former Ruth Kirkpatrick was born July 25, 1917, the seventh child of Eugene and Christina Winning Kirkpatrick in Carrolltown, PA.

Sister Aurea graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Wilkes-Barre and received a degree in Elementary Education from Misericordia University. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1941 and professed vows on March 12, 1944.

Sister taught in the dioceses of Scranton, Rockville Center, and Harrisburg. Sister Aurea had a very special place in her heart for the parishioners of Prince of Peace Parish in Steelton, PA where she ministered for thirty-four years. Sister joined the community of prayer at Mercy Center, Dallas, PA in 2008. She remembered in prayer all those she met throughout her life and especially the families and students from Prince of Peace parish. Her smile and pleasant disposition were gifts freely given to all whom she met.

Sister Aurea was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Elsie, Ellen, Mary Irene, Martha, Thelma and Dolores, her brothers Henry, Eugene, Charles and Francis. She is survived by her sister Rose Marie Long of Philadelphia, PA, her nieces and nephews, the Sisters of Mercy and the staff at Mercy Center.

Transferal to Mercy Center will be on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with prayer service followed by visiting hours until 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in Mercy Center chapel with interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carverton, PA.

Memorial contributions in the name of Sister Aurea Kirkpatrick may be made to Mercy Center, PO Box 370, Dallas, PA 18612.