Obituary for Sister Mary Ida Dolan
Sister Mary Ida Dolan, a Sister of Mercy, died on February 24, 2021 at the age of 88. Sister was born in Waterbury, Connecticut to Thomas Michael Dolan and Gladys Mary Gamble Dolan. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in September of 1951 and professed her perpetual vows in August of 1957. Sister Ida taught in Catholic elementary schools beginning in 1956. In 1969 she went to St. Mary’s School in Portland, CT. as a teacher and in 1972 was both teacher and principal at the elementary school.
In 1977, she became Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate at St. Mary’s, Portland and in 2000 she began volunteering in the parish. Sister was devoted to the parishioners and followed them from birth to death leaving behind a solid and loving legacy.
In May of 2019, as her own health was failing, she moved to Frances Warde Towers at St. Mary Home in West Hartford, CT where she devoted her time to prayer and visiting. As her health continued to decline, she was eventually transferred to the Baggot Street unit where she peacefully made her transition.
Sister Ida was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Gladys Dolan as well as by her sister Gladys. She leaves behind her good friend in Community, Sister Laura Marie Meskill and the Sisters in her Mercy Community. She also leaves behind her devoted brother, Tom Dolan, his wife Sandra and their three sons: Michael, James, and Thomas as well as James’s wife, Elizabeth and his children Sean and Christopher. She leaves behind her brother-in-law, Robert Wood, and his daughter Suzanne. The Sisters of Mercy want to express their gratitude to the staff at St. Mary Home for their loving and compassionate care.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Mark Church on 467 South Quaker Lane in West Hartford. This will be preceded by a remembrance ceremony in the church beginning at 10:00 am. After the Mass there will be a graveside service at St. Mary Home Cemetery, 2021 Albany Avenue in West Hartford. Covid restrictions will be followed.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prescott St., West Hartford, CT 06110-2335. Funeral arrangements were made by Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com
In 1977, she became Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate at St. Mary’s, Portland and in 2000 she began volunteering in the parish. Sister was devoted to the parishioners and followed them from birth to death leaving behind a solid and loving legacy.
In May of 2019, as her own health was failing, she moved to Frances Warde Towers at St. Mary Home in West Hartford, CT where she devoted her time to prayer and visiting. As her health continued to decline, she was eventually transferred to the Baggot Street unit where she peacefully made her transition.
Sister Ida was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Gladys Dolan as well as by her sister Gladys. She leaves behind her good friend in Community, Sister Laura Marie Meskill and the Sisters in her Mercy Community. She also leaves behind her devoted brother, Tom Dolan, his wife Sandra and their three sons: Michael, James, and Thomas as well as James’s wife, Elizabeth and his children Sean and Christopher. She leaves behind her brother-in-law, Robert Wood, and his daughter Suzanne. The Sisters of Mercy want to express their gratitude to the staff at St. Mary Home for their loving and compassionate care.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Mark Church on 467 South Quaker Lane in West Hartford. This will be preceded by a remembrance ceremony in the church beginning at 10:00 am. After the Mass there will be a graveside service at St. Mary Home Cemetery, 2021 Albany Avenue in West Hartford. Covid restrictions will be followed.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prescott St., West Hartford, CT 06110-2335. Funeral arrangements were made by Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com