Left to right, new Associates Mary Ellen Sharrer, Carolyn Duffy, Marlene Watson, Meredith Hollis and Ida Rheome.

Welcome New Associates Seven women were welcomed as Associates with the Providence Regional Community this fall. Covenant Ceremonies were held at Mount St. Rita Health Centre in Cumberland during September for Anita Papa and Patricia Williams and a few weeks later at SS. Philip and James Church in northern New York for Carolyn Duffy, Meredith Hollis, Ida Rheome, Mary Ellen Sharrer and Marlene Watson.

Mrs. Papa became involved with the Sisters of Mercy through her volunteer work at St. Patrick’s Meal Kitchen in Providence. Another volunteer, Virginia D’Alessandro, RSM, suggested that she become an Associate. A native of Providence, Mrs.Papa graduated from Central High School and was a caretaker before her retirement. Married with one daughter, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, helping others and doing crafts. A native of Pawtucket, Mrs. Williams was a young child when she became aware of the work done by the Sisters of Mercy. Placed in their care at St. Mary Seminary, now St. Mary Academy-Bay View, so her mother could work, Mrs. Williams graduated from Bay View and became a Sister of Mercy for nine years. Married for 31 years, she has three children and a grandson. Earning a BA in English from Salve Regina University and a Religious Studies MA at Providence College, she has taught English at Bay View for over thirty years. “I became an Associate to make my affiliation with these exceptional women official,” she said. After learning about Catherine McAuley and her determination to help others, Miss Duffy decided to become an Associate. Raised in northern New York, she graduted from Lisbon Central School and a local business school. Employeed by the Public Housing Authority in Ogdensburg, she retired in 2002 as a Certified Occupancy Specialist. During her mother’s long illness, Miss Duffy became friends with Joan Casey, RSM and interested in the work done by the Sisters of Mercy. After her mother’s death, Miss Duffy said, “ I realized I wanted to devote my time to helping others, especially older people and the sick.” Now living just miles from where she was raised near Ogdensburg, Mrs. Rheome decided to become an Associate because “it seemed to be the right thing to do,” she said. A widow, she has four children, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Working in business for many years, she is now months away from earning a bachelors of science degree in Human Services Management. Interested in others, she enjoys speding time with her family and friends and is involved in her church. She was joined in her Covenant by her daughter, Meredith Hollis. Compassionate by nature, Mrs. Sharrer has spent her life caring for her family, friends and those who are less fortunate, especially the elderly and shut-ins. Her lifelong commitment plus her friendship with Sister Joan led to her Covenant as an Associate. Born in Connecticut, she grew up in Potsdam, NY where she graduated from high school. Married for 40 years to Royal Remington, the couple had two children and two grandchildren. Following his death, she was recently married to Stanley D. Sharrer. Invited by Sister Joan Casey, who is a friend, to become an Associate, Mrs. Watson said she did so because, “ I feel I can do some good in the world through the Sisters of Mercy, especially for abused women and children.” Born in Rensselaer Falls, a small town in northern New York, she now lives outside of Ogdensburg on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River overlooking Canada. An assistant department manager for hospitals in New York and Florida, she is a widow with two daughters, four stepsons, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.