Sister Marian Grace Brandt, SC, age 87, on October 17, 2024, in her 70th year of commitment to religious life

SISTER MARIAN GRACE BRANDT, SC, age 87, was called home to God on October 17, 2024, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, in her 70th year of commitment to religious life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Grace Gallagher Brandt, and her brother, Joseph. She is survived by her nieces, nephews, cousins, and her religious congregation.

Sister Marian Grace entered the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1954, from St. Mary Magdalen in Homestead. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Seton Hill University and a master’s degree in Latin from the University of Pittsburgh. Her ministry focused on education for forty years. She served in schools in the Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Phoenix dioceses, as well as in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She served as vice principal at Saint Paul School, Pittsburgh, and later as principal of Greensburg Catholic Middle School, Carbon. Sister Marian Grace also served as principal of Saint Regis School, Trafford. She then traveled to Arizona, where she was principal at Saint Theresa School, Phoenix, and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Scottsdale, where she ministered for nineteen years.

Sister Marian Grace took pride in her athleticism and enjoyed spending time playing basketball and roller-skating with her students. She loved sharing these fun activities with them, creating special memories.

The assistant principal expressed Sister’s legacy powerfully yet simply: “Kids will look back on their time at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and feel they were important because Sister Marian Grace was always present—in classrooms, at lunch recess shooting baskets, and at all sports games after school.” She knew being present was important. She always said, “Wherever you are, be there. Be present.” Most important to Sister Marian Grace was that she would be remembered for sharing her favorite teaching of Elizabeth Seton: “Be present in the moment, do the best you can, and leave the rest to God.”

After retiring from school, Sister Marian Grace ministered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Arizona) for six years as the coordinator of adult education, providing ongoing faith formation for adults and instructing parents on infant baptism. In 2017, Sister Marian Grace returned to Pennsylvania in retirement. She remained active at the motherhouse as a volunteer driver and sacristan.

The Sisters of Charity are grateful to our nursing services and employees for the dedicated care of Sister Marian Grace during the past months.

Reflecting on her life as a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill, Sister Marian Grace said, “I have loved every minute of being a Sister of Charity. Religious life has changed, but our purpose and charism have stayed strong, with the Eucharist as our center. I am grateful for all the blessings I have received through the Sisters of Charity and from all the people whose lives have touched me in my teaching ministry.”

May you share the peace, joy, and happiness of eternal life, Sister Marian Grace, with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Company of Charity, and your loved ones.

Family and friends will be received at Caritas Christi, 129 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg on Tuesday, October 22 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A prayer vigil sharing memories in the Chapel of the Assumption will follow at 7:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 10:30 am in the Chapel of Assumption at Caritas Christi. Burial will immediately follow Mass in the Sisters’ Cemetery.

The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed; access through the link: https://venue.streamspot.com/2af9e1eb

If you wish to offer prayers or remembrances, you may do so by emailing [email protected]. Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of Charity, DePaul Center, 144 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg, PA 15601.  For more information, visit the website, www.scsh.org.