Sister Marilyn Donnelly, CSJ, 90

Sister Marilyn Donnelly, CSJ, 90, died on March 10 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham. Sister Marilyn (Sister Michael Ann) was born in Binghamton on Oct. 14, 1930, the daughter of Daniel and Mary Sullivan Donnelly. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 72 years.

After graduating from St. Patrick’s High School in Binghamton, Sister Marilyn entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sept. 15, 1948. She professed First Vows on March 19, 1951 and Final Vows on Aug. 15, 1956.

Sister Marilyn earned a bachelor’s degree from The College of St. Rose in 1968 and pursued graduate studies at St. Rose and Fordham University. Sister Marilyn’s ministry included teaching and administration in elementary and middle schools of the Albany and Syracuse dioceses. She loved teaching and her students, especially her kindergarteners. After serving as principal for a few years, she opted to go back to teaching kindergarten because she missed “the little ones.” From 1986-2006, she served in St. Patrick’s Parish in Syracuse both in the school and later as a parish volunteer. In 2006. Sister Marilyn retired to St. Joseph’s Provincial House.

In addition to her parents, Sister Marilyn was predeceased by her brothers, Daniel and Joseph, and her sisters, Catherine Lukes, Alice Pierson and Mary Blake. She is survived by her nieces, Kathryn Reilly and Mary Pierson, and by many grandnieces and nephews. Her memory is precious to the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Due to the continued health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation or funeral services at this time. A Memorial Mass and celebration of her life will be held at a later date.