Sister Mary "Mary-by-the-Sea" Lanahan, 73

OCEAN CITY, Md. - Sister Mary "Mary-by-the-Sea" Lanahan (Margaret Williams), SND died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury. She was 73.

She lived 55 years of her life in the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. At the time of her death she was well known in Ocean City after 10 years of ministering.

She was born in Upper Darby, Pa., daughter of the late Vivien and William Lanahan. She had four brothers.

Sister Lanahan was a 1951 graduate of Notre Dame High School, Moylan, Pa. The following year she entered Sisters of Notre Dame. She began a teaching career in 1954 as a primary teacher at Maryvale, Brooklandville. After 22 years with children from various school in the tri-state area, Sister Mary returned to Maryvale as plant manager.

She was always a lover of the sea and moved to Ocean City in 1998 during her retirement where she managed rentals of her brothers condominium in the summers.

She was very active at St. Luke Parish as Eucharistic Minister. She also tutored children, prepared children to receive the sacraments, gave piano lessons and did various odd jobs so she could continue to make a financial contribution to her Sisters.

Five years ago she began sharing her life with women she knew were seeking a deeper relationship with God. The group has grown to 16 women who meet regularly to share their faith journey.

She is survived by her brothers, James, Joseph and Richard; and many nieces, nephews and their children; and the Sisters of Notre Dame with whom she has shared 55 years of life.

Sister Mary has donated her body to science.

A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. June 22 in St. Luke Catholic Church, Ocean Boulevard, Ocean City; and June 23 in Villa Julie Residence, 1531 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson, Md.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of Notre Dame, African Missions, 305 Cable Street, Baltimore, MD 21210.