The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-26
SISTER MARY DE SALES DEAD.
The Order of Mercy Loses One of Its
Most Loved Members.

The funeral of Sister Mary de Sales, who
died at the St. Mary's Home, on Haber-
sham street, late night before last, will
take place this morning from the convent
chapel at 10 O'Clock. A solemn high mass
| of requiem will be celebrated at z o'clock.
| Very Rev. Father Cafferty, vicar gen
| eral, will officiate at both services.
The announcement of Sister de Sales
| death at high mass at the cathedral yes
| terday morning was great shock to the
/ many friends who knew and loved her.
/ Her death was very unexpected. She
! had been in delicate health for
! long time, but no one thought her end
| was so near. She was taken with Sc
| we're cold only two days before her death,
and her system was unable to stand the
| shock
| Sister de Sales was one of the best
known and one of the most beloved sisters
| of the Order of Mercy in the south, and
| particularly in Savannah, where she had
devoted the whole of a service of thirty
two years in the sisterhood with the
single exception of few months spent in
another city for her health. Her life was
one of lifelong devotion, her work being
most especially directed to caring for the
orphans.
Sister de Sales was known to the world
before assuming her vows as Miss Mary
Jane Reilly, a member of the well-known
family of that name of this city. Even then
she was noted for her piety and generous
charity. She was a sister of the late
Capt. j. K. Reilly, and of Capt. John
Reilly and Col. Peter Reilly, Of this city.
Although earnest in all religious work
1t was in providing for the orphans that
Sister de Sales accomplished her chief
work, in which she was greatly aided by
the members of her family.
She was mother superior Of the st.
Mary's Home when the orphanage was
located at White Bluff, her deceased
brother, Capt. j. X. Reilly, being the first
president of the society supporting the in
stitution. 1t was during her term of Of
tee that the present home on Habersham
street was built, at which she
has continued her work ever since Under
her wise and able management the society
was built up. She was assistant superior
OF the home at the time of her death.
Her brother, Col. Peter Reilly, has for
some time filed the Office of president of
the society. During the whole of it's his
tory there has been no one who was so
closely identified with the work of the
home or who accomplished so much for it
as Sister de Sales
Her death occurred Saturday night
The remains were conveyed to the
convent and placed in the
chapel, where they will re-
main until the conclusion Of the services
this morning. Many persons who enjoyed
the pleasure OF the acquaintance of the
deceased during life, called at the chapel
yesterday to view the remains.
Sister DeSales' death will cause especial
sorrow to the sisters of the Order of
Mercy, not only in Savannah, but in many
other cities. Having been engaged in the
work for such length of time, many Of
the younger sisters received their train
ing under her care. Two Of her nieces
are now engaged in the work of the
church; Sister Mary Gertrude, formerly
Miss Agnes Reilly, daughter of Capt. J.
K. Reilly, who is now a visitation nun at
Wheeling, w. Va, and Sister Mary Yer
orica, who was Miss Mary Hussey, a
daughter of Capt Christopher Hussey, de-
ceased, who is now member of the
Notre Dame order at Salem, Mass. 1t
was largely due to her influence that
these young ladies were brought to I'M
dertake the work in which they are now
engaged.
The following gentlemen will act as
pall-bearers at the funeral Hon. J. ].
McDonough, Capt. Henry Blum, Capt.
J..J. MCGOWAN, MIR. ia mes E. Grady, MIR.
James McGrath, NJ A O'Byrne, Esq,
Mr.. William Kehoe, Mr.. Patrick F. Glea-
son, MIR. Luke Carson and Mr.. John M.
Mcbride