AMESBURY - Sr. Mary Ellen Quilty passed away on April 15, 2009. She was born in Springfield MA. to William B. Quilty and Louise B. Walsh on March 3, 1916. She is survived by her sister Rose A. Montanari formally of Springfield MA. now residing in Amesbury MA., several nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. Sr. Mary Ellen attended Holy Name Grammar School and Cathedral High School graduating in 1933. She attended Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee MA., graduating in 1938 earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1988 Sr. Mary Ellen Quilty received the degree Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa from the college. Sr. Mary Ellen Quilty worked in the Springfield area for the Putnam Family as a secretary before entering the convent with The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament on August 15, 1942, Her missionary work with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament began first taking her to Harlem and then to St Francis de Sales High School, Rock Castle, VA. teaching for five years. Later in Washington D.C. she studied at Catholic University receiving a MA in History in 1952. She then returned to Rock Castle Va. this time as Administrator of the school. Over the years, Atlanta, Georgia, New Orleans, The Navajo Reservation and Pinon, AZ all where areas she work as a missionary for the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She served in a variety of roles during her long life; Administrator of St. Michaels School on the Navajo Reservation; teacher at St.Joseph High School in Atlanta; Administrative Assistant at Xavier University; Executive Secretary New Orleans Archdiocesan Sisters' Council; Staff Member in Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions and editor of the congregations magazine, Mission Fields at Home, as well as vocational and public relations liaison for her congregation. Sr. Mary Ellen Quilty, SBS, throughout her life was principal, history teacher and loved one. In recent years she became a major inspiration for the development of FrancisEmma, Inc. in Powhaton Va. She was a strong and determined leader and a woman of great knowledge and wisdom. Many of her students kept in touch with her over the years. That's a real teacher's tribute. Her life's mission was to bring to the attention of the church and American society the giftedness of the black and native American peoples to whom her congregation dedicated their service.

The Republican (Springfield, MA), December 25, 2009
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Sr. Mary Ellen Quilty, S.B.S. (formerly Sr. Rose Phillipine, S.B.S.)