Brighton: Sister Mollie Brown, RSM, Ph.D (Sister Marie Raymond) was called home by God on April 29, 2019, during her 71st year as a Sister of Mercy. Sister Mollie, entered the Sisters of Mercy after graduating from Our Lady of Mercy HS. She attended Nazareth College before beginning a teaching career at St. John the Evangelist School. She received her RN in Nursing from St. Mary’s Hospital. After providing nursing service at Mercy Center she taught at St. Rita School in W. Webster. Her next ministry was as an English teacher and nurse at Notre Dame High School in Elmira. Sister Mollie earned a BS in nursing from Duquesne University and a Master in Nursing Education, majoring in adult psychology, at the University of Pittsburgh. She was an instructor at St. James Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Hornell, and worked at the Genesee Mental Health Center in Rochester. She received her doctorate in Human Development at the University of Chicago. She completed a second certificate-of-study program at the Jungian Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. Sister Mollie had a private practice as a psychotherapist for nine years prior to becoming the founder of Spirit House, a therapeutic and personal growth center for women religious, a joint venture of the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters St. Joseph and the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Three years later, Spirit House was incorporated and stood on its own. Dr. Brown published numerous articles in both religious and secular journals on topics including psychiatric nursing, social change and gerontology. She was a Trustee for six years on the Board of East House Corporation where she brought a unique combination of strong clinical and teaching expertise and a lifelong commitment and concern for the spiritual well being of others. She was predeceased by her sister, Nancy French and her brothers, Richard and Daniel Brown. Survivors include her sister, Marcia (Bruce) Hoeffel, sisters-in-law, Aljean and Kathereyn Brown, nieces, nephews, dear friend, Sister Mary Ann Ayers, and the Sisters of Mercy.
Friends are welcome Thursday, May 2 from 4 to 7 PM at Mercy Center, 1437 Blossom Road, where her vigil service will be held at 7 PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 3 at 10 AM at Mercy Center. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy.