A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Beard, D.C., was celebrated June 10, 2017, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Emmitsburg. Sister Mary died June 7, 2017, at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. She was 88 years of age and 53 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Washington, D.C. on October 11, 1928, Sister Mary (baptized Mary Patricia) was one of seven children born to William and Sara (Dean) Beard.
Sister Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Welfare from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg in 1972; she earned her Masters of Social Work Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., in 1976.
Following initial formation, Sister Mary first served as Business Manager at St. Joseph’s Villa in Richmond, Va.,(1965-1966), then at St. Vincent Infant Home in Baltimore, Md., (1966-1971). Sister Mary served as a Case Worker at St. Vincent Home and School in Washington, D.C., (1972-1974) and at St. Joseph House in Raleigh, N.C., (1976-1979). At Immaculate Conception in Baltimore, she assumed duties as Administrator, (1979-1980 during which time she also served as the Local Community Superior). In 1980, Sister Mary returned to St. Joseph House in Raleigh, where she continued as a Case Worker and Local Community Superior (1980 – 1983).
In 1983, Sister Mary was appointed Councillor for Social Ministry for the Daughters’ former Southeast Province, Emmitsburg, (1983-1989). From there, Sister was missioned to serve as Director of Residents’ Support at Jenkins Memorial Home (Senior Living Community) in Baltimore, (1989-1991). Sister Mary then served as Administrator at Seton Center in Emmitsburg (1991-1996, during which time she served as Local Community Superior at Bethany Community in Emmitsburg [1991-1992]). Sister Mary served as a Parish Sister in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., (1996-2000); she then served as a Pastoral Associate and in the Peace and Justice Ministry at St. Joseph Parish in Petersburg, Va., (2000-2006, during which time Sister also served as Local Community Superior). In 2006, she was missioned to Our Lady of the Valley Center in Gloversville, S.C., where she served as the Coordinator of the Outreach Center (2006 to 2009). In 2009, Sister Mary joined the Ministry of Prayer at Villa St. Michael, Emmitsburg, where she served until the time of her death.
Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her six siblings. She is survived by nieces and nephews and by her Sisters in Community.