Suor Mary Maloney, SFP

September 21, 1932 – November 6, 2023

Anyone who met Sr. Mary Maloney knew within minutes that she had a passionate love for the poor. Her desire to serve them was un-bounded. Nothing was too much or too difficult. Motivated by her deep love for God, for the Gospel of Jesus and the example of the SFP Foundress, Blessed Frances Schervier, Mary’s restless heart always sought out ways to reach out to others and ease their suffering.
Mary Alice was the second of three children born to the late Joseph and Alice Graham Maloney on September 21, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY. Together with her brother, Joseph, and sister, Kathleen, she attended PS 102 in Brooklyn and St. John High School in Goshen, NY, graduating in 1950.
Mary met the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor while volunteering as a nurse’s aide at St. Peter’s Hospital. She was greatly attracted by Sisters’ kindness to their patients and willingness to care for them regardless of their ability to pay.

Mary entered the Congregation at the Mount Alverno Convent in Warwick, NY on November 1, 1949 and was invested with the habit the following year, receiving the name, Sister Mary Kevin. She made her First Profession of Vows on May 10, 1952 and her Profession of Perpetual Vows on September 8, 1957.
Given her attraction to the Sisters at the hospital, it was only natural that Sr. Kevin would attend St. Michael School of Nursing in Newark, NJ, graduating as an RN in 1955. She went on to receiver her BSN from St. John University, followed by a MS in 1959. Sister Mary Kevin served as Director of Nursing Service at the School of Nursing at St. Peter’s Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, and continued to serve at St. Michael Medical Center, Newark, NJ and St. Francis Community Hospital, Jersey City, NY over a period of 10 years; all of which was preparing her for the future.

Sr. Mary’s first missionary assignment in 1965 was one she dreamed about: caring for the destitute poor and sick in Brazil. In her own words, “these were 7 years of joy, challenge and learning.” Together with other Sisters from the U.S. and Brazil, she was assigned to the Maternity Room and the Nursery, where she assisted mothers as they birthed their babies and then provided follow-up care in their local villages.
The experience was an enriching one. The real challenging aspect for Sr. Mary was overcoming the language barrier and learning to speak Portuguese. However, day by day, she learned more and more from the Sisters and the people she served. When she worked with the children at the Day Care, they loved her all the more because they would laugh together as they corrected her verbal mistakes.

In 1971, Sr. Mary returned to Brooklyn, NY to fulfill her Congregation Leadership role as Assistant to the General Administrator and as a member of the Community Service Board which was responsible for Community Life. Upon completion of her leadership responsibilities, Sr. Mary relocated to Chicago, IL. where she became the Executive Director of the Franciscan Federation. During this time, she also served as the Community Minister for the SFP Franciscan Study program. In addition, she studied at St. Bonaven- ture University, receiving a MA in Franciscan Studies in 1978.
When her service to the Federation was complete, Sr. Mary’s restless spirit called her to a new challenge.
She studied French at University Laval Quebec as a preparation for yet another missionary trip to serve the poor in Senegal, Africa.

In Koungheul, the Bishop asked Sr. Mary to visit the surrounding villages to heal the sick and open clinics. There were no doctors there at the time, and the people of the area desperately needed medical clinics and other services. Every day, Sr. Mary traveled by ambulance to the villages with supplies, medications, water and equipment, accompanied by two native Senegalese who spoke the various African dialects.
In 1984, Sr. Mary returned home to NY and within a week she received another invitation to serve the poor at an interfaith soup kitchen “CHiPS”, an acronym for “Christian Help in Park Slope”, which was in need of a director. Of course, Sister was a perfect fit for the job – where she remained for 25 years.
Together with a team of dedicated volunteers, they cooked and served meals to 200 to 300 persons daily. The unhoused, many formerly incarcerated, immigrants, and those struggling with addiction, came daily and received the help they needed to get “back on their feet”. Additionally, when a young pregnant girl with no place to live appeared at the door, Sr. Mary and the “CHiPs” team immediately went to work soliciting churches, schools, government offices and friends to raise money to buy the building next door. Within 6 months, they had nine small apartments for young homeless pregnant women and their babies and toddlers. They named it “Frances House” after Blessed Frances Schervier.

Along with this ministry in Park Slope, Mary started a “House of Contemplation” with Sr. Rose Margaret Delaney, her dear friend. The serenity of the house, located first on a lake and later in a house in the woods outside of Warwick, NY nourished her ability to work at CHiPS and assist those in need. On week- ends, the house was open to our Sisters and others to come to pray, be silent and contemplate God’s
goodness and love. During these years, Sr. Mary also offered spiritual direction, served as Vocation Minister and hosted the Franciscan Inter-Novitiate Program at Mt. Alverno, NY.
In 2015, Sr. Mary spent several transitional years at Emmaus House, in Long Branch, NJ, and then lived at Pinecroft House of Peace in Cincinnati, OH, before coming to reside at St. Clare Convent. Here, she served as Community Minister for the Magnificat Sisters, until diagnosed with renal failure which limited her activities. While spending time with others in dialysis three times a week, Mary became a prayerful presence and a sign of hope to those she met there.

In September, 2023, Mary completely put her life into the hands of the God, her loving companion who had guided her throughout her many years of service. Her dear Sisters, beloved family and close friends visited frequently during those last weeks and days until Mary passed into the arms of her Beloved in the afternoon of November 6, 2023. We wish you peace and a generous reward, dear Mary – the poor you served so passionately during life will sing your praise before the throne of God.

By Sr. Jo-Ann Jackowski

Sr. Mary Maloney, SFP
“Strong Spirit”

Determination, fierce and fun,
her will would find a way,
Take heart and focus on the goal,
and faith will win the day.
She walked ahead and blazed new trails,
excelled, and reached for more,
If not to answer God’s great call,
what’s a lifetime for?
And so she answered with her life,
with laughter, simple, strong, Encouraging God’s family,
to which we all belong.
© 2023 Beverly Kaye

The following are some testimonials from our Sisters, Associates, and friends who remember with affection Sr. Mary Maloney:

When I think of sr. Mary Maloney, a quote of St Augustine comes to mind, “our hearts are restless, until they rest in You, O Lord”. I believe Mary possessed a restless heart in this life, that only God could satisfy. Rest in God’s encircling peace Mary.
 Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, Sfp

The Lord has visited his servant sister Mary, the earth rejoices and sings.
As a missionary in Senegal, you braved the winds and the heat to go and meet your Lord by serving him through the poor in the SFP Congregation. Your generosity, availability, simplicity, and love for the poor make you a strong and brave woman who has engendered humanity and wiped away the tears of many. Thank you, Sister. You endured the heat of the Saloum region, sometimes reaching 45 degrees, but always with a smile on your face. You lived in difficult conditions without electricity or drinking water. You had paraffin lamps for lighting and a well without a pump in the community to provide you with water. Your real food and comfort was Christ. The Koungheul- Louanga- Missira- Koumbidia community pays you a heartfelt tribute. A tireless pioneer, you embodied God’s love through concrete actions. How many villages have you visited with your van on impassable roads to meet the suffering. You touched poverty with your hands. Like Blessed Mother Francis, the fire of love for your neighbor burned in your heart. Thank you so much! You have a good heart and a good soul. May Mother Francis welcome you with all the SFP into paradise. Senegal will always remember your bravery. Your smile will remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, brave missionary, and enter into the joy of your God!
Sr. Rose Ndong, sfp

The short time I spent with our Sisters in Cinccinati was enough to be touched by the love, joy and energy of our dear Sister Mary Maloney, especially by the gift of the life to the poorest people. We miss her and we are sure that we can count on her intercession.
Sr. Thalyta Pereira Lima, sfp

Sr. Mary Maloney was the Vocation Director when I entered the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1998. I had attended the search-in weekends at the House of Contemplation in Warwick, New York. She was the one who visited my nearest relatives informing them of my desire to join the congregation. She was so faithful in writing to me and encouraging me during my formation. Her dedication to serve the poor is just unsurpassable. Thank you, Sr. Mary and may God amply reward your good works in heaven.
Sr. Armida Sison, sfp

“Whatever we have done with our lives, makes us what we are. Everything absolutely everything counts.” Soyal Ripoche

Sr. Mary touched my life while I was working on Magnificat. Her beautiful smile and simplicity, dedication and service to the poor, and her strong unwavering determination inspired and motivated me.
Sr. Mary viewed her illness with the same determination- compliant and determined. As her health began to fail , she was a model of acceptance.
Your strength and light ,tenderness and compassion for the poor lives on in all you ministered in your life . Your true reward is heaven.
 Sfp Associate Anne Cabanas

For us Senegalese, it’s a great baobab that has fallen.  Thank you, Lord for having given her to us for so many years.  May she rest in peace.
Sfp Associate Justin Senghor

I was always in awe of Sister Mary’s unwavering love of the poorest of the poor, the unhoused, and others suffering in ways I cannot even begin to understand. I also enjoyed her stories about her days as a young Sister. She had some very mischievous moments but was always devoted to her vocation!
Jennifer R. Gerth, Congregational Archivist

Published: March 26, 2024