January 30, 1928 – November 4, 2023
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Mary Shryock, CSJ who passed away on November 4, 2023, at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis, Missouri. She was 95 years of age.
Mary Shyrock was born on January 30, 1928, in Peoria, Illinois, to parents Arthur Dewey and Della (Reiferscheid) Shryock. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1946 and was received into the novitiate as Sister Anthony Bernard in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music/organ from Fontbonne College in 1958 and a master’s degree in music/organ from DePaul University in Chicago in 1962.
Starting in 1949, Sister Mary devoted her ministry to music education, teaching at St. Mary Magdalene and St. Margaret of Scotland Grade Schools in St. Louis. In the 1950s, she taught at St. James in Denver; St. Mary’s in Bridgeton, Missouri; Our Lady of the Presentation and St. Phillip Neri, both in St. Louis; and St. Viator in Chicago.
After earning her master’s degree, Sister Mary taught for one year at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis, before winning the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. The Fulbright Scholarship awarded her the opportunity to study organ in France under Marcel Dupré at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, France (1962-63).
When she returned from France, Sister Mary taught for one year at St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City. She then went on to teach at Fontbonne College in St. Louis for 25 years.
In 1989, she returned home to Peoria to care for her parents. She spent her ministry in health care while finding time to teach music lessons on the side. Sister Mary continued this service until her parents went to God in 1996.
Sister Mary remained in Peoria and taught private lessons and was the organist at St. Jude, St. Bernard, and Holy Family schools while living with her religious community. In August 2012, she moved to St. Louis to reside at Nazareth Living Center, where she carried out her ministry of prayer and presence.
Funeral arrangements are planned for Thursday, Nov. 16 at Nazareth Living Center. The viewing will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m. Burial will take place Resurrection Cemetery. The Mass will be available to view via livestream.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave. St. Louis, MO 63111-2899 or donate online.