Sister Marcella Mary Burgunder, SC
December 19, 1921 – November 1, 2022
Sister Marcella Mary Burgunder, SC, age 100, entered eternal life on November 1, 2022 at Caritas Christi, motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, in the 72nd year of her religious life.
A Pittsburgh native, Sister Marcella Mary entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on January l, 1950, from Saint Mary Help of Christian Parish in McKees Rocks, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert D. and Marcella (Rushton) Burgunder; step-mother, Mary (Aaron) Burgunder; two sisters, Margaret Ann Gast, Virginia Dorrenbacher; two brothers, Robert L., William A. She is survived by a brother, John D., nieces, nephews, a cousin, Sister Mary Philip Aaron, SC, and her religious community. When sister was very young her mother died. Then in second grade, her father married Mary Aaron, the organist for St. Francis de Sales Church in McKees Rocks where the Sisters of Charity served for many years.
Sister Marcella Mary served in the United States Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, known as the SPARS, from January 1945 until May 1946, when she received an honorable discharge. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Seton Hill University and taught children of the primary level in schools of the Greensburg, Phoenix and Pittsburgh dioceses.
In 1952, Sister Marcella Mary was appointed to catechetical and social service ministry at the House of Mary, a residence for underserved women. This began her long tenure of social service in the Hill District of the city of Pittsburgh. From 1952 until 199l she ministered, alternately, at the House of Mary, the Frederic Ozanam Center (youth services), Philip Murray Hall/Saint Joseph’s House of Hospitality (residence for underserved men). During this time, she also served as a Eucharistic Minister to the patients at Mercy Hospital for over ten years. When she left the Hill District, she volunteered her services at Seton Senior Center in Brookline for nine years. In 2009, she retired to the Motherhouse in Greensburg. The Sisters of Charity are grateful to the Congregation’s nursing services and employees for their care of Sister Marcella Mary.
Dedicated, diligent and humble, Sister Marcella Mary’s devotion to ministry reflected the words of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “Sisters of Charity! Your admirable name must excite in you every preparation to do justice to your vocation.” At the time of her 50th jubilee, Sister Marcella Mary, reflecting on her life as a Sister of Charity noted, “It was a difficult decision to enter religious life, but one that I’ve always been glad that I made. The years have been interesting and rewarding.” Rest in peace, Sister Marcella Mary, as your loving and faithful God welcomes you home and you join St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Company of Charity.
The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed; access through the link: https://venue.streamspot.com/2af9e1eb
