Sr. Mary Lawless, RGS

Sister Elena Lawless (Mary Lawless) died at St. Patrick’s Manor on August 30, 2022 after an illness. She was 93 years of age and had been a Sister of the Good Shepherd for 71 years.  Sister Elena was born in Fitchburg, MA in 1929, the daughter of Michael and Helen (Varley) Lawless. 

Sister Elena attended St. Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg, MA and in 1951 she entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Peeksill, NY where she began her formal training in the Good Shepherd mission. Sr. Elena made her first vows in 1954 and pronounced her perpetual vows in 1957.  Sister Elena was missioned to Troy, NY where she began her work in the residential program serving as Food Service supervisor for the girls. Sister was then missioned to 17 th Street, New York City and worked with the girls in St. Gerard’s residence. In 1968 Sister went to the Good Shepherd residential program in Springfield, MA where she worked for three years with the girls as Group Supervisor. From Springfield Sister Elena went to Villa Loretto in Peekskill, NY and began her training in practical nursing, caring for the medical needs of the Sisters. Sister continued to use her nursing skills serving the needs of the sisters in Springfield, MA, Marlborough, MA and Albany, NY. Sister was a very devoted nurse and attended to the sisters with great love and care.

In 1999 Sister Elena was missioned to Madonna Heights in Dix Hills, NY and in her retirement years she continued in ministry as a volunteer in a program for mothers and babies in a group home setting. Her dedication and loving care, gave wonderful witness to the mothers and their babies of the kindness and gentleness of the Good Shepherd. Sister Elena also volunteered her services to the Global Women’s Exchange project, an international effort of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to market the handwork of women in third world countries.  In her final years at St. Patrick’s Manor, Sister Elena was always present to those who needed a word of encouragement or a gentle presence.  She will truly be missed.

She is predeceased by her brothers, John Lawless and Joseph Lawless.  She is survived by her nephew, Michael Lawless and several loving cousins.

Visiting hours will be at Holy Family Chapel at St. Patricks Manor , 863 Central St, Framingham, MA prior to Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Sister Elena at Holy Family Chapel on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough. www.collinsfuneral.com 

Expressions of sympathy in Sister’s memory may be made to the Good Shepherd Retirement Fund, 420 Hemenway St, Suite 466, Marlboro, MA 01752. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd were founded by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France in 1835, in the United States (Louisville, KY) in 1843, and in Boston in 1867.