Sr. Marie Veronica Mulligan, SFP
October 21, 1921 – June 26, 2019
Murial Alice was born on October 21, 1921 in New York City. She was one of four children born to her parents, Susan and Patrick Mulligan. At a young age, she experienced the death of both of her parents, first her mother, Susan Veronica, and later, when she was seven, her father Patrick died. Murial, her brothers Francis and John and her sisters, Katherine, Ann and Vera, were separated and raised by two aunts.
Murial graduated from Textile High School in New York City prior to entering the Congregation in February, 1940 at the age of 18.
After her initial formation, Sr. Marie Veronica made her Perpetual Profession on April 26, 1948. Her early days were spent in the Dietary and Housekeeping divisions of our hospitals in New York and New Jersey. When our Congregation was asked to staff a nursing facility, the Villa St. Francis, in a small farming community in Morris, Minnesota, Sr. Marie Veronica was asked to take charge of the Laundry.
She served there for ten years, before moving to the Dietary department.
In 1977, the Congregation discerned to discontinue the ministry of our Sisters in Morris. All four sisters who were ministering there, including Sr. Marie Veronica, were relocated to Mt. Alverno Convent in Warwick, NY. Despite the joy of being reunited with friends and family, the Sisters were sad to leave the people they had grown to love in ministry at Villa St. Francis.
For six years, Sr. Marie Veronica served as the Phone Operator for Mt. Alverno Convent, a good fit for someone who was welcoming and kindhearted to one and all. Throughout her entire life, Sister continued to minister quietly, seemingly in the shadows, but her personable attitude and warmth endeared her to many. One of the nurses affectionately called Sr. Marie Veronica “Mother”, a good example of the kind of impact she made on those who came to know and love her.
In her later years, Sister became legally blind and developed severe hearing loss. However, she was able to listen to books on CD and loved the Joshua series, her favorite being Joshua and the Children. Sister prayed the 15 decades of the Rosary each day, and when possible, was present at Liturgy and Evening Prayer.
While in Warwick, Sr. Marie Veronica enjoyed frequent visits with her niece Judy and her husband, Bill. She also enjoyed making her annual Retreat at the Redemptorist Retreat House in West End, NJ with her good friend, Sr. Kathleen Reynolds. She loved being able to sit outdoors and watch the ocean where the sea and the sky met. Watching the ocean helped her to realize both the vastness and the beauty of God. In the winter months, Sister loved the snow – the more that fell the more she enjoyed it.
In the SFP Photo Album of 1999, Sister shared that her “prime mover” during life had been the words of St. Luke: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is the life goal she aimed for and which helped to make community living easier. Her life was a witness to this inspiration!
Sister Marie Veronica relocated to St. Clare Convent, in Cincinnati in 2017, continuing to share in the company of many sisters and friends, especially Sr. Kathleen Reynolds. As her health declined, she became even more quiet and prayerful, until she gently slipped into the loving embrace of God on June 26, 2019. Her final wish “Jesus take me home.” had come true!
Sr. JoAnn Jackowski, sfp
The following are some testimonials from our Sisters and Associates who remember with affection Sr. Marie Veronica Mulligan:
Sr. Marie Veronica Mulligan was a simple woman with depth. It was obvious in her daily living, she loved God and she loved people. Despite her serious sensory losses of sight and hearing, she was always there, in the chapel, in the dining room, engaged in activities with others. She lived faithfulness.
~ Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge
My condolences to our Sisters, relatives and friends for the loss of Sr. Marie Veronica Mulligan. I met her whenever I visited Us and when I talked to her I could feel her positive energy, her joy, enthusiasm and devotion to the religious life. Today she entered Heaven and a chorus of glory, blessings and graces is welcoming her, in thanksgiving to her life consecrated to Jesus on earth. May she rest in peace. In Mother Frances.
~ Sr. Helena Paula Carvalho
She was such a sweet lady and a great representation of our faith community.
~ Associate Ruthy Trusler
During my very brief contact with Sr Veronica on the Magnificat Unit – I was impressed with how well she dealt with her hearing & visual deficits. She accepted these losses gracefully but didn’t abandon her ideas of the correct & timely way that various tasks should be completed 🙂 Sr. Veronica shared memories of her childhood & active ministry as a Franciscan Sister of the Poor. As a Magnificat Unit resident she & Sr. Kathleen would often watch the evening Mass together on EWTN. Sr. Veronica was always concerned for the other Sisters’ well being & kept chocolates or other treats on hand for her caregivers ♡ Finally one of her favorite activities was participating in the occasional singing of hymns on the convent ‘upper’ porch. Sr. Veronica had an excellent singing voice & I am sure will be missed by all.
~ Associate Kay Lynn Diltz
Sr. Marie Veronica inspired me with her gentle, warm, unassuming nature! A woman of God – her priority was to serve God and his people.
When Sister came to Cincinnati to live on the Magnificat, I marveled at her ability to accept change! It could not have been easy as she was visually and hearing compromised. With grace and gratitude, she endeared herself to the Sisters and staff!
This spiritual elder was a mentor for aging, a peaceful, prayerful Sister – ready when God called her home!
~ Associate Anne Cabanas
