By Lorraine Cooper, SC
As a child, Sr. Mary Edward suffered several hardships. Her baby sister died eight days after she was born and her mother died a year later when she was only three. Sickness was a constant in her family, so fun and light-heartedness were a must. She grew up wanting to be a doctor and “help those hurting and needing comfort.”
She met the Sisters of Charity at St. Francis of Assisi School, Mt. Kisco, and entered the community hoping to be sent to study nursing. Providence intervened and placed her in the second grade at Holy Trinity School. At that time, many of the students were from struggling families of Cuban or Puerto Rican descent. This experience of teaching and working with the other Sisters to reach out to those living in poverty made her realize that education was her love and continued to be from then on.
In later years she was sent to study for her PhD in micro-biology at the University of Maryland where she was very grateful to be interacting with such a diversity of people. Many were searching for meaning and weighed down by life’s challenges. Her experience opened her to the goodness in their many different perspectives.
In her forty-six years teaching at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, she fulfilled her desire to be with people—whether students, faculty, employees, or Sisters—in encounters that enabled her to grow closer to God, herself, and to others in their daily joys and struggles. She can still fulfill her desire of long ago, “to help the hurting and those needing comfort.” And she still delights everyone around her with her humor and style.
I love you, Sr. Mary Edward! Thank you for your magnificent life in identifying with the poor and dedicating your life to help them. I’m sure all your students benefited greatly from your teaching and example.
Congratulations. I have fond memories of us teaching microbiology. God bless you
I love you and will always remember your spunk and zest for life ! I am so sad to hear the news today … but I know that you will be happy at God’s side !
You will never be forgotten in my heart … rest my friend – Anne
McGlynn Wiecek – CMSV class of 1984
Well Edward, how did we get to this age!? You have never lost your joie de vivre and love of all things cmsv and the Yankees. I am privileged to know you. See you soon. Ellen Riesz ’69.
P.s. Remember 6th floor Seton Hall 65-66? Smile!
Truly my most memorable teacher, each day she made you love mircobes and the tiniest world around us. That love spread like wildfire ablaze to all her students, she was a teacher that every inch of her soul was filled with passion to see that lil light of understanding for her students. She never gave up on us because she knew the value of each person as well as she made us sooo bless to be there. Forever one of the best teachers.
An amazing person and outstanding professor! I enjoyed being her student in microbiology – her humor and uplifting character was always so inspirational! One of my best teachers from the mount that I will always remember.
Sister Zipf always had zip! Even during those 8 am classes! I truly enjoyed being her student. She inspired me with her passion and high expectations. She also was willing to have fun and help out outside of class as well. I will never forget her dressing up for a fundraiser for a student. I now teach science and hope Sister Mary Edward realizes what an inspiration she is!
Went to the Mount but never met you. Happy Sunday and enjoy the rest of your life
You were my second grade teacher back in 1956/57, and I have never forgotten you. God bless you always xo
St Vincent’s School of Nursing 1991
You made microbiology interesting and enjoyable!
Thank you.
You were a great influence for me.
You were my teacher at Holy Trinity in NYC. You took pity on a very shy student from a very poor family. I have always wondered how you were. I am so glad to see you are well and many others were as influenced by you as I was.
THANK YOU SISTER.
I remember Sister Mary Edward and the kindness she showed me, decades ago, when I was what I would now consider to be a lost soul. She gave me an image of a carved hand holding a small child, inscribed with: “See! I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand.” At the time, I gave it to my grandmother who cherished it until the day she died. Many thanks and God Bless you always.
Took microbiology from Sr. EDWARD ZIPF. In 80’s
I was in nursing at st Vincent’s in Manhattan, and commuted to CMSV for micro classes.
An awesome professor and wonderful, caring woman of God
Sr. always encouraged students to do their best and was always available to help then achieve their goal
God bless you, Sister for all you did and mean to me..over the years
Karen E. Kwiatkowski -Trietley
Class of 1988..
who would not be uplifted by your smile and the love it embodied.