Obituary of Sr. Mary Lou Hayden, SC

Sister Mary Lou Hayden, SC

Sister Mary Lou Hayden (94), formerly Sister Joseph Marita, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Sister Mary Lou was born in Rutherford, New Jersey, the daughter of George and Mary (Dunn) Hayden. She entered the Sisters of Charity on June 24, 1949, and was a member for 75 years.

Sister Mary Lou graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ, with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She served in the ministry of education in New Jersey for more than 65 years. Sister Mary Lou begam her teaching ministry at Sacred Heart School, Jersey City, NJ, followed by St. Paul of the Cross School, Jersey City, St. Catherine School, Darlington, NJ, and Saint Joseph School, Newark.
 

In 1957 Sister Mary Lou began her extensive years of ministry at All Saints Parish and School, Jersey City. Sister Mary Lou served as teacher, counselor, and principal at All Saints. As structures in parishes and schools began changing. Sister Mary Lou adapted to each new situation. In 2003 she began serving as Co-Principal of Assumption/All Saints and Saint Patrick’s Schools along with her dear friend, Sister Maeve McDermott. 

After retirement, Sister Mary Lou continued her ministry at Saint Patrick and Assumption/All Saints School as a volunteer.  When the school closed, Sister Mary Lou continued to volunteer at Saint Patrick Parish until her final illness.

Sister Mary Lou loved the people of Jersey City, and that love was returned. She frequently walked through the neighborhood, and she befriended the people she met along the way. Sister Mary Lou formed deep personal relationships throughout her life. She was a living example of the maxim of Saint Vincent de Paul, “If God is the center of your life, no words will be needed. Your mere presence will touch their hearts.”

Sister Mary Lou was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Sister Jude Miriam, SC, her brother, Father Joseph Hayden, her sisters Margaret Schroll and Mary who died at birth, and her brothers George and Edward. She is survived by her Sister of Charity community, loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews great grandnieces and great grandnephews and the loving community of St Patrick &  Assumption/All Saints, Jersey City.

The wake for Sister Mary Lou Hayden will be held at two locations: at St. Patrick’s Church, 492 Bramhall Avenue, Jersey City, NJ on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 7:00PM and at Convent Station, NJ on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

The wake and funeral mass for Sister Mary Lou will be held at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ on February 26, 2025. The wake will be from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM; the livestreamed Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery will immediately follow the mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S. J. Priola Funeral Services, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P. O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, would be appreciated.