Sister Ruth Donnelly, 84, (formerly Sister M. Gerard), a Sister of Mercy for 67 years,
died Friday, July 20, 2007, at the Warde Health Center in Windham, New Hampshire. A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, she was the daughter of James and Margaret (Davitt) Donnelly.
Sister Ruth received her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Mount Saint Mary College, Hooksett, New Hampshire, and her Master of Arts in Education from Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire. She was a dedicated teacher and administrator in Catholic schools throughout New Hampshire. She was a teacher at St. Raphael, St. Joseph, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Mt. St. Mary Day School in Manchester; St. Patrick School in Berlin; St. Mary Academy in Dover; and St. Joseph School in Keene. Sister Ruth served as principal at Immaculate Conception School in Penacook; St. Patrick School in Manchester; and St. Christopher School in Nashua.
From 1981 until 1994 Sister Ruth was personnel director at St. Teresa’s Manor in Manchester. In May 1993, she was named St. Teresa’s Manor “Special Person.” After she retired to the Warde Health Center in Windham, Sister Ruth served as a driver for the sisters for several years.
Family members include her brother, William Donnelly of Manchester, several nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister Ruth was predeceased by her brothers, Rev. Brendan Donnelly, OSB, and Rev. Gerard Donnelly, OSB, of St. Anselm’s Abbey.
Friends may call at the Warde Health Center, 21 Searles Road, Windham, N.H. from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 23. A prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at the Warde Health Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24, in the chapel. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, NH
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 21 Searles Road, PO Box 420, Windham, NH 03087-0420.