Sr. Mary Albertus Mathis

Albany-Mathis RSM, Sister Mary Albertus, (Frances Josephine Mathis) died in St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Albany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. She was 102 years old. Born in East Meredith, New York, she was the daughter of German immigrants, Albertine Eisele and Sebastian Mathis. Sister Albertus earned a BA from the College of Saint Rose and an MA from Siena College. For over fifty years, she taught at numerous schools in the Albany Diocese, including Vincentian, St. Joseph's, and St. Teresa of Avila in Albany; St. Agnes, Cohoes; St. Patrick's, Johnstown; Sacred Heart of Mary, Watervliet; Catholic Central High School, Troy; St. Mary's, Gloversville; St. Mary's, Oneonta; St. Mary's, Ballston Spa; and St. Mary's, Hudson. That was only the beginning. From the classroom, Albertus transitioned smoothly to ministry at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany. Her responsibilities there included mailroom worker, data entry operator, transporter, and minister of prayer and presence.

Sister Mary Albertus was one of seven children. She grew up on a farm, a fact she credited with instilling in her a deep appreciation and reverence for the glory of God reflected in nature and a feeling of being at home in the outdoors. She delighted in the beauty and abundance of flowers and the companionship of animals, not to mention the easy availability of fresh corn on the cob. She was fond of reminiscing about her childhood experience of arriving at school early to bring in buckets of water from a nearby farm and, in the winter months, to start a fire in the stove so the classroom would be comfortable when the teacher and the other students arrived. Albertus enjoyed memorizing poems, humorous and profound, some of which she was still able to recite in her old age. An excellent seamstress, she graciously assisted Sisters with sewing projects, much to the delight and relief of those not so gifted as she. She possessed an even disposition, marked by the ability to make others laugh and to laugh at herself. This September Sister Mary Albertus would have marked 84 years as a Sister of Mercy. Despite her advanced age and failing memory, she remained a blessing to those who met her, including her devoted caregivers at the nursing home. She thought of herself as a wayfarer, a pilgrim on a journey back to God.

In addition to her parents, Sister was predeceased by all but one of her six siblings, Viola Laing. She is survived by several nieces and nephews as well as by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Associates.

A wake will be held for Sister Albertus in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27, with a Prayer Service of Remembrance at 6:30 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated in the Chapel at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 28. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush.

The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff at St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the great tenderness with which they cared for our Sister. Contributions may be made in Sister Mary Albertus' memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.