Remembering Two Wonderful Women

The Ursuline Community celebrates the lives of two extraordinary women.  Sr. Mary Hallahan and Sr. Madeline Welch who served the Ursuline Community for some 140 years combined.  Below you will find a bit about their lives and their commitment to the Ursuline Community.

Sr. Mary Hallahan, O.S.U.
January 17, 1926 – December 31, 2012

Sister Mary Hallahan, formerly known as Sr. Charles, died peacefully on December 31, 2012 at Andrus on Hudson in Hastings-on-Hudson.  Mary entered the Ursulines on July 15, 1945; she made her first vows on January, 16, 1948 and her final vows on January 16, 1951.

Mary was an energetic educator.  She taught at Blessed Sacrament School in New Rochelle, NY, St. Joseph’s Academy in Malone, NY, The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, and Ursuline Academy in Bethesda, MD. Mary served as superior of the community in Wilmington, DE from 1965 to 1968.  She returned to teaching in Malone, and in retirement she did pastoral work in the Malone area.

Mary was born in North Lawrence, NY to Vivian Mc Laughline and J. Carl Hallahan.  She was one of 8 children, 2 boys and 6 girls.  She was predeceased by her brother Daniel.  Mary’s funeral and burial will be in Malone, NY on Friday, January 11, 2012.

Sr. Madeline Welch, O.S.U.
June 14, 1941 – January 8, 2013

Sister Madeline Welch, former provincial of the Ursulines of the Eastern Province USA, civil lawyer and canon lawyer, died peacefully at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx on January 8, 2013.

Legal service was her ministry from the time she received a law degree from Fordham University in 1974; she was admitted to the NY State Bar in 1975.

Madeline was generous in her assistance to those seeking legal advice. From 1974 to 1984, she was an attorney with the Legal Aid Society. She served as superior of the St. Teresa Community in New Rochelle (1984-1987). From there she went to Rome, studied at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, and earned a JCL in Canon Law in 1989. From 1989 to 1991 she was director of legal services to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the National Association of Treasurers of Religious Institutes (NATRI).

She was provincial of the Ursulines of the Eastern Province (1991-1997). She then was deputy director for legal service for the Ministry of Caring (1998-2000) in Wilmington, Del. She next served as attorney to the Community Legal Aid Society in Wilmington, from 2001 to 2007. From there, she became superior of the Ursuline Generalate in Rome. For health reasons, she returned to New York in 2009.

Madeline loved the history of the Ursuline Order; she located and distributed art and music by and about Ursulines. She also delighted in preparing special events, prayer services, and meals for feast days and other occasions.

Madeline entered the Ursulines in 1962 and made her final vows on March 28, 1970. She taught at St. Angela’s School in the Bronx from 1967 to 1981. She held a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from LeMoyne College and a master’s degree in philosophy from Georgetown University. Over the years she served on many boards. She has spoken on legal matters to a variety of groups.

Mary Madeline Welch, named Margaret, was born on June 14, 1941 to Marie McGuirk and Richard Welch, in Syracuse, NY. She is predeceased by her brother Charles and her sister Maureen; she is survived by two brothers, Richard and Sean, and many nephews and nieces.

Wake will be held at the Ursuline Province Center in New Rochelle on Friday, January 11, from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on January 12 at 9:30 A.M. at the Province Center, and burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 

In place of flowers, gifts in their memory may be sent to the Ursuline Retirement Fund, at the Ursuline Provincialate, 1338 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804.

We are grateful to these women who lived exemplary lives and truly lived the Ursuline charism.

Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU