NYACK, NY—Sister Mary Dorothea McCarthy, of the Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine, died Jan. 17 at Marydell Convent. She was 93.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the convent on Jan. 21 and the burial was at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont.
Sister Dorothea was born Oct. 7, 1917, in New York, a daughter of Dorothy Scanlon and Daniel J. McCarthy. Her baptismal name was Veronica. She attended elementary and high schools in Manhattan. On Sept. 24, 1936, she entered the Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine at Marydell Convent. She was 18.
She was given the religious name Sister Mary Dorothea and professed perpetual vows on Sept. 18, 1943.
She continued her education at Fordham University and Manhattan College.
Sister Dorothea served in many ministries. While superior at Madonna House, she ministered as a catechist and assisted in social service activities at St. Roch’s in the Bronx and at St. Joseph’s, St. Teresa’s and St. Peter’s, all in Manhattan. From 1943-1950 and 1953-1956 she was local superior at Our Lady of the Valley, Horse Creek Valley Mission in Gloverville, S.C. In 1952 she was catechist and parish visitor at St. Ambrose Church in Elkton, Fla., and in 1969 at St. Mary of the Lakes Church in Eustis, Fla.
She went on to serve in leadership roles in the congregation. She was superior of Marydell Convent in Suffern, N.Y., and later president of the congregation.
She spent 13 years at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Concord, N.H., as parish associate. While at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Sister Dorothea became archivist for the Sisters of Christian Doctrine and organized all records dating back to Mother Marianne, the congregation foundress. Sister Dorothea retired in 2004.
She is survived by her religious congregation, and several nephews and nieces.
Condolences may be sent to her congregation at 46 Jackson Ave., Apt. 7H, Eastchester, NY 10709.