Sr. Mary Groves, O.P.

December 7, 1932 ~ October 26, 2024

Sister Mary Groves, OP (Sister Ann Benjamin) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died October 26, 2024, in Mt. Vernon, New York. She was 91 years of age.

The daughter of the late Benjamin F. and (Anna Marie (Gearon) Groves, she was born December 7, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sister Mary entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, New York, in September 1952, made her First Profession in June 1954, and Final Profession in August 1957. Sister Mary earned a bachelor's degree in English from Seton Hall University.

Sister Mary taught elementary school students at Our Lady of Victory School, Mount Vernon NY (1955-58); Christ the King School, Yonkers NY (1958-60); Saint Mary School, Allenhurst NJ (1960-63). She was a business teacher and department chair at Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Poughkeepsie NY (1963-92) and secretary to the Marist Brothers in Poughkeepsie (1972-87). Sister Mary was honored as an affiliate of the Marist Brothers for her long and dedicated service.

Following a sabbatical, she was involved with personnel, insurance, and government food programs at Saint Vincent's-Tacony in Philadelphia PA (1993-98). In 1998, she started work as attendance coordinator at Nazareth Academy in Philadelphia where she remained until her retirement in 2008.

After retirement Sister Mary moved to the Wartburg in Mt. Vernon.

Sister Mary is predeceased by her parents; her siblings, Richard Groves, Ann Marie Farrell, Elizabeth McGlinchey, Sr. Kathleen Groves, SSND, Rose Clair Buffington; and her niece, Theresa Buffington Smith.

She is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope; her sister-in-law, Eleanor Groves; her nieces and nephews: Kathleen (Gordon), Mary, Joseph and Luke Farrell, James, Joseph, Maureen, Kevin, Colleen, Sean and Brian McGlinchey, Donna (Catagnus), Richard, Robert, and Denise (Shuler) Groves, Kathleen (Hollahan), George, and Rosemary Buffington; and several great and great-great grand nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Sister Mary's life will take place on Monday November 4, 2024, at the Dominican Center, in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary, at Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY. The viewing will take place starting at 9:15 a.m. followed by a wake service at 10:15 a.m., and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the liturgy Sister will be buried in the Dominican Sisters of Hope Cemetery on the grounds of Mount Saint Mary College.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Mary's memory can be made to the Dominican Sisters of Hope Development Office located at 299 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, New York 10562.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue.

Newburgh, NY 12550