Obituary of Sister Marie Tansey, SC

Sister Marie Tansey, SC (89) formerly Sister Ancilla Mary, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died Friday, March 29, 2024, at Complete Care at St. Vincent's in Cedar Grove, NJ.

Sister Marie was born in Irvington, New Jersey, the daughter of Francis and Catherine (Nealon) Tansey. She entered the Sisters of Charity on October 1, 1951, and was a member for 72 years.

Sister Marie graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth (University) with a B. S. degree in Science. Sister Marie's initial ministry was in education at parochial schools in New Jersey. She taught at St. Rose of Lima, Short Hills, St. Cecilia's, Englewood, St. Patrick's, Jersey City and St. James, Newark.

Marie's love for science led her to study Medical Technology at Saint Joseph's Hospital School of Medical Technology. She served at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Paterson, NJ and at Martland Medical Center, Newark, NJ as a Medical Technologist. During her time at Martland, Sister Marie was involved in initiating a new program to recruit and train new medical technologists.

Sister Marie's commitment to the Gospel led her to participate in the House of Prayer Experience (HOPE). In conjunction with the People of Hope, she served on the Pastoral Team at Xavier Center, Convent Station, St. Antoninus Parish, Newark, NJ and Little Flower Parish, Berkeley Heights, NJ.

Sister Marie completed Clinical Pastoral Education at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT and at Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, NJ. She received Board Certification as a Chaplain in 1987. Sister Marie served in Pastoral Care at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, NJ, Good Samaritan Hospital Suffern, NY, Christ Hospital, Jersey City, NJ, and Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ.

Sister Marie was predeceased by her parents, her sister Rosemary Daley, her brother Francis, and her nephew Owen Daley. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her sister Catherine, her sister-in-law Joan Tansey, her brother-in-law Henry Daley, Jr., her nieces, one nephew, one grandniece, one grandnephew and many cousins.

The wake for Sister Marie Tansey will be held on Monday, April 8 from 9:00 am – 10:30 am in Holy Family Chapel, 2 Convent Road, Convent Station, NJ. The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 am. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station, will follow the Mass. Arrangements are under the direction of Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Sister Marie Tansey to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P. O. Box 476 Convent Station, NJ, 07961-0476 would be appreciated.