• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Bishop Robert Barron
          • George Weigel
          • Question Corner
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Suzanna Molino Singleton
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Paul McMullen
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Father T. Austin Murphy Jr.
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • Subscribe

Sister Elise Mary, S.S.N.D., served 58 years in Baltimore schools

Avatar November 16, 2017
By Catholic Review Staff
Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

School Sister of Notre Dame Elise Mary Saydah, who for 58 years served in the Archdiocese of Baltimore as an educator and administrator at St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis, the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore and Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson,  died Oct. 15.

Raised in North Bergan, N.J., by a father from Lebanon and a mother from France, her first encounter with the School Sisters was at her high school, the Academy of the Holy Angels in Fort Lee, N.J.

In an obituary prepared by her order, Sister Elise Mary was quoted as remembering, “Their warm manner and sincere interest in the students deeply impressed me.”

She studied at what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, where she learned more about the School Sisters and earned a bachelor’s degree in French. After a few years of working to support herself and her mother, including at her prep alma mater, Sister Elise Mary entered the order.

While a candidate, she taught history and French at the Institute of Notre Dame. She professed her first vows in 1957. She began her vocation teaching French and religion at the Institute of Notre Dame (1957-63), and served as the guidance counselor at Notre Dame Preparatory School (1963-64).

Sister Elise Mary taught French, and acted as vice principal and principal at the Institute of Notre Dame (1971-84 and 1987-88). At St. Mary’s High School, she taught French and religion, and was assistant principal and administrative assistant over three stretches thre (1964-71, 1984-87 and 1988-2013).

“Her beauty lay in her love of people and in her deep humanity,” Chris Morgan, assistant vice principal for academics at St. Mary’s High School and close friend of Sister Mary Elise for 30 years, told the Review. “I feel as close to her now as ever, which I attribute to the lovely power of her spirit.”

In 2013, Sister Elise Mary retired to prayer ministry at Villa Assumpta in Baltimore.

According to an obituary prepared by her order, Sister Elise Mary is remembered as a “cutting edge teacher and natural leader.” She will be remembered for her wisdom, peace, great sense of humor, gentleness and caring.

A funeral Mass was offered Oct. 20 at Villa Assumpta. The Mass was concelebrated by Capuchin Franciscan Father Roman Kovacheson, chaplain of Villa Assumpta, and Redemptorist Father Andrew Costello, vicar of St. Mary in Annapolis and a longtime friend of Sister Elise Mary.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Catholic Review Staff

Avatar

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Deacon Davis, who served Overlea parish for decades, dies at 84

Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography

Pasadena parish cites pandemic in decision to close preschool

Father Snouffer, information technology trailblazer for archdiocese, dies at 83

‘Blessing bags’ a focal point for merged St. Casimir Parish during pandemic

Latest World News

Health care chaplains in Baltimore and beyond embrace self-care in COVID-19 work

Religious order withdraws request to transfer founder’s remains to U.S.

Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints

Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith

Cardinal prays on CNN program marking 500,000 COVID-19 deaths in U.S.

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • A Lent full of promise, steak success, cooking with children, and more (7 Quick Takes)
  • Archbishop Lori reflects on the Year of St. Joseph
  • Health care chaplains in Baltimore and beyond embrace self-care in COVID-19 work
  • Religious order withdraws request to transfer founder’s remains to U.S.
  • Deacon Davis, who served Overlea parish for decades, dies at 84
  • Reason for celibacy/ Blessing for non-sacramental marriage?
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography
  • Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints
  • Some English Catholics object to transfer of nun’s remains to Philadelphia
  • Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2021 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED