Sister Mary Popoczy, SND
(formerly Sister Mary Paul René)
July 29, 1938 – October 5, 2025
Professed: August 16, 1959
On July 29, 1938, Joseph and Theresa (Susa) Popoczy welcomed twin daughters, Mary Joyce and Catherine Joy. The girls had a sister, Josephine, who was just a year older. Their brother Joseph Paul was born in 1956. The family lived in Collinwood, and the children attended St. Joseph Elementary School. Mary chose Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland for high school, and was active in Student Council, Dramatics, Choral Club, and the Mission Club. Helping people and caring for them was part of her nature: she called it her “charity talent.” She thought of herself as ordinary, but recognized God’s call to religious life and responded generously. Her twin Cathy became a postulant in July of 1957, and Mary entered the novitiate on September 8. At investment, Mary took the name Sister Mary Paul René. Cathy Joy later transferred to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, and their sisterly bond remained loving and strong.
Sister Mary received a bachelor’s degree from St. John College in Cleveland and a master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She ministered as a primary grade teacher for more than 25 years at St. Margaret Mary School, South Euclid; St. Benedict, Cleveland; St. Gregory the Great, South Euclid; St. Anselm, Chesterland; and St. Gabriel, Mentor, all in Ohio. She also taught at St. Joseph School in Winter Haven, Florida.
In 1986, she became the director of religious education at St. Gabriel Parish, Mentor, and began studies for certification as a pastoral minister. She completed that certification for the diocese of Cleveland, with additional course work at the Pastoral Psychology Institute, Case Western Reserve University. Over the next 18 years, she served as pastoral minster at St. Jude Parish, Elyria; Holy Spirit Parish, Avon Lake; and St. John Neumann Parish in Strongsville. Besides working with parish groups from children to adults, she was active in Bereavement Ministry and in Charismatic Renewal programs.
In 2005 she began a 6-year term as Regional Superior on the SND Leadership Team. Her charity and compassion were also shared with her religious community in the work of healing prayer and as a retreat director. In 2012, Sister Mary became a resident of the Health Care Center. Despite the physical challenges she faced, she placed her trust in God. The ministry of prayer, presence, and praise found expression in active listening as she visited with sisters, family, and friends. Her photography captured nature’s beauty. She enjoyed music and painting. She was always grateful, choosing to look at the positive. For Sister Mary, God’s glory is now fully revealed, in love that has no end.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center. It will be live-streamed. Go to www.sndusa.org. Click on the Chardon Regional Center. Visitation will be from 9:30 until Mass begins.
To make a donation in memory of Sister Mary Popoczy, please click here.
