Sister Mabel Anne Kelly, RSM - , RI

(07/22/14) KELLY, Sister Mabel Anne, 99, formerly known as Sister Mary Donalda, a Sister of Mercy and former instructor of nursing died on Friday, July 18, 2014 at Mount St. Rita Health Centre, Cumberland. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Charles E. and Mary (McCarthy) Kelly; she was the sister of the late Gerald, David, John, Wilfred, and Albert Kelly and sister of Helen Wall and Frances Laurent. Sister Mabel entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1935 and made final vows in 1941. Early in religious life, Sister studied at Mercy College in Cumberland and Catholic Teachers College in Providence where she received a B.S. in Education. She taught for seven years in R.I. Diocesan Schools. In 1945-48 Sister entered the Nurse Cadet Program at Catholic University where she earned a B.S. in Nursing Education and R. N. Certification. She taught Biology at St. Mary Academy Bay View and from there moved on to Mercy Hospital in N. Dakota to serve as a surgical nurse instructor. From 1950-1962, Sister was Director of Nursing and Biology Instructor at Salve Regina University having attained a Master’s Degree in Biology form Catholic University. In 1962 to 1964 Sister taught a Mt. St. Mary Academy in Fall River followed by a four year Biology Teaching Exchange at Our Lady of Cincinnati College Ohio. Grants in nursing refreshers prepared Sister for work as Clinical Instructor at Temple University; eleven years later, she became certified as a Nurse Practitioner in Buffalo, New York resuming teaching at R. I. Junior College until 1980. After retirement, sister engaged in nursing ministry for Quality Care and Steere House in Providence R.I. In the tradition of Mercy, Sister addressed the needs of the poor, particularly as an advocate for affordable housing. Sister’s funeral will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at Mt. St. Rita, Cumberland, with a memorial prayer service at 10:15 am followed by a Liturgy at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Donations in sister’s memory may be made to Mount St. Rita Health Centre, 15 Sumner Brown Road, Cumberland, R.I. 02864 or to the Sisters of Mercy, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI 02864. Information and condolences, please visit: www.galloglyfuneralhome.com