Sister Mary Ellen Elder papers, 1924 - 2004

Sister Mary Ellen was born Mary Ellen Elder on August 28, 1936 in Somerset, OH. She entered the Ossining Congregation on September 8, 1957 and received the habit on April 30, 1958 when she received the religious name, Sister Janet Irene. (She began using the name, Sister Mary Ellen after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on May 2, 1959 and final vows on May 2, 1965. During her years in the congregation she served in the following Dominican Sisters Home Health Care Agencies: Columbus, OH, 1963-1965; Minneapolis, MN, 1965-1970; Ossining, NY, Infirmary and Grasslands Hospital, 1970-1974; Harlem, NY, 1974-1982; Ossining, NY, 1982-1984; Hampton bay, Home Aide, 1984-1986; Cincinatti,OH, Peaslee Neighborhood Center, 1989-2001, Bethany House Basics, 1989-2001, and Ministry to the Homeless, 2001. Sister Mary Ellen earned her LPN and also a CPE, (Clinical Pastoral Education). She died September 9, 2004.