Sister Mary of the Cross Landry, OP
Date of death: March 28, 2005
Soeur Marie de la Croix Landry, O.P. - even as we packed her many, many belongings to come here, she insisted her name be correctly written on her boxes! She knew what she wanted, where she wanted it, and how she wanted it packed. I think the verse of the song: “I did it my way” was very appropriate.
From kindergarten to grade 3 I had little interest in school, sitting at a desk for five and half hours every day. Then, in September of 1950 I was assigned to Sr. Mary of the Cross’ fourth grade. This small gentle lady, with a very French accent, welcomed us with a beautiful smile and a definite twinkle in her eyes. The scenario was to be this, she told us: “if you work hard, if you pay attention, if you behave well, then we will sing and play.” And, that promise she kept! She made learning a joy! We worked diligently, and then the reward was rehearsing a musical or a play, learning new songs, or creating something artistic. My whole idea of school changed drastically, and I changed!
Mary of the Cross had definite priorities in her life: prayer – a whole bunch of prayer; music –especially singing; crafts – nothing was thrown away; shopping – until she could no longer climb a public bus or get a ride to the mall.
She was quite the little lady—true to her Dominican commitment of prayer and education. Community life was important to her and she participated in community gatherings, conferences and assemblies until physically she could no longer do so. Thereafter, she anxiously and curiously awaited news about the Sisters and the happenings throughout the congregation. She never wanted to miss a thing!
She liked to keep herself busy. Correspondence was an obligation yet a joy for her. She wrote long and lovely notes to a list of people, and she’d get upset when her correspondence had to be delayed!
Her transition here to Newburgh was painful. There were many pre-packing discussions, and tears shed, before the real packing and sorting began! It was hard for her to part with so many little things - collections of empty bags and boxes had to be quickly taken away. She knew what she had and it was earmarked for some project.
Mary of the Cross will be remembered for her gentle spirit and her generous heart, her warm smile and her dancing eyes, and especially for the great love she shared with thousands of children. Her children, in turn, loved and respected this quiet little lady with the lovely little French accent.
I thought of her so often this past Holy Week - thinking she would die before Easter. But, as Sr. Julie said to me on the phone the other night: Mary of the Cross LIVED her holy week—all in the hope of her resurrection!
Remembering her great love for the Blessed Mother I invite you to join me in praying the Hail Mary in French.
Sr. Marie de la Croix, Aurevoir! Enfin, vous avez gagné, et le paradis à la fin de vos jours!
Eulogy by Theresa Bisson, OP