Sister Mary Stella Maris Ware, R.S.M.
May 23, 1923 ~ January 17, 2018
PORTLAND - Sr. M. Stella Maris Ware (Genevieve Constance), died peacefully at Frances Warde Convent on January 17, 2018, with her religious sisters by her side.
She was born to Rudolpe Philippi (Roy) Ware and Albertine Dorothy Poulin in 1923 in Fairfield, Maine. Sr. M. Stella Maris was a graduate of Lawrence High School, Fairfield and after working for a year, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Portland in 1942, from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Fairfield. She began her preparation for religious life, as well as higher education at Our Lady of Mercy College, Portland, forerunner of St. Joseph's College, Standish. She graduated with a B.S. in Ed, preparing her for her ministry in teaching in parochial schools as well as on two Native American
Reservation schools.
Sr. M. Stella Maris began her teaching career in Bar Harbor at St. Edward School, followed by
St. Mary School, Orono; St. Athanasius School, Rumford; St. Joseph School, Portland; St. Joseph School, Lewiston; Cathedral School, Portland; St. Mary School, Bath and Sacred Heart, Portland. She often shared many endearing memories of her days in the classroom. Sr. M. Stella Maris also taught primary grades at Pleasant Point Reservation, Perry and Peter Dana Point, Indian Township. She had a special fondness for the Passamaquoddy children. During her teaching ministry, she enjoyed introducing the children to classical music.
In 1982, Sr. M. Stella Maris retired from teaching to begin her ministry as assistant in the Motherhouse Infirmary. It was there that she ministered to our sick Sisters with compassion, kindness and gentleness. Each day she generously gave of herself, going about her duties in a quiet way with a loving smile. In addition to the Infirmary, Sr. M. Stella Maris also shared in the upkeep of the Motherhouse Chapel, "doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way", following in the footsteps of our Foundress, Catherine McAuley
In her own words, Sr. M. Stella Maris said recently, "many Sisters have been and still are such an example to me. I've learned to see the wonder of the graces we have all received." We could certainly say the same about her. Her motto, "Never Count the Cost" was well lived as a humble Sister of Mercy.
Sr. M. Stella Maris was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Rudolph Jr.; her sisters, Rita and Madeline.
She is survived by a brother, Louis Ware, and his wife, Rose; nieces, Susan Bowman, Diane Daley, Elizabeth Hereck, Dolores "Dodie" Morrissette , Dorothy "Dot" Richardson; nephews, John Ware and Richard Ware; cousin, Roger and wife Gyneth Pooler; several other nieces, nephews, cousins, and her Sisters in community.
Visiting hours celebrating her life will be held on Sunday, January 21 from 3:00 p.m to 6:30 p.m. with a 6: 00 p.m. Prayer Service at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 966 Riverside St., Portland, ME 04103.
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I feel blessed to have been able to care for sister Stella Maris for several years. She was an amazing woman as well as a wonderful sister. About a month ago two of the nursing staff for in her room talking with her. We told her that we loved her and her reply was I love you too. She then replied God bless you as she always said and we said God bless you as well sister she had some amazing stories to tell growing up as a child which she shared with all of the staff
– Diane Elizabeth