Sister Mary Hallock, CSJ

Mary Hallock was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 28, 1921, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Qualey) Hallock. She was a member of St. Ann Parish in Cleveland at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on July 2, 1943. She received the name Sister Thomas Aquinas at her reception on January 3, 1944, but returned to the use of her baptismal name in later years. She pronounced first vows on January 3, 1946 and final vows on January 3, 1949.

Sister Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin from St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana and a Masters degree in Library Science from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. For eight years she taught in Detroit area high schools including St. James in Ferndale, St. Benedict in Highland Park, and St. Bernard in Detroit. In 1954 Sister Mary became a reference librarian at Nazareth College and for 38 years her ministry centered there. In 1965 she and her twin sister, Sister Martha, participated actively in the planning of the new David Metzger Library. Once the new library building was completed, Sister Mary and her sister assumed an extensive array of duties. For more than 20 years Sister Mary accepted students from Western Michigan University School of Librarianship and provided them a thorough and very much appreciated semester of internship. In 1990 Sister Mary retired from the library but when Nazareth College closed she returned and participated in the disposition of the library collection and furnishings. Sister Mary moved to Nazareth Center and then happily offered her services to the sisters at Fontbonne Manor.

Sister Mary’s cheerful demeanor was characterized by a spirit of gentleness, peace and joy. She was a woman of even temperament, firm purpose and love of neighbor, qualities very evident in all that she accomplished in her lifetime. A tremendous blessing in Sister Mary’s life was the presence of her twin sister, Sister Martha, with whom she shared life and ministry for many years. After her retirement from Nazareth College, Sister Mary generously and lovingly volunteered her services to the care of our sisters at Fontbonne Manor. Her entire life was energized by her favorite Scripture passage from Ephesians 3:17, “May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith and may charity be the root and foundation of your life”. Now God’s love has enfolded Sister Mary and fulfilled her hope in Him.

May She Rest In Peace!