Sister Maureen Tobin, OSB
June 8, 1929 - January 21, 2017
With quiet dignity our sister, Maureen,
passed from this life to the next
upheld by friendship and love.
Throughout her life Maureen listened
to the world and the people that surrounded her
and responded with kindness to all.
Community members, family and friends
held a special place in her life.
Ever sensitive and fully genuine,
her interest was sincere,
her dedication was immeasurable
and her generosity was limitless.
May we bring to life the legacy Maureen left:
wholehearted acceptance of one and all,
steadfast commitment to life-giving change
in the pursuit of peace,
and genuine compassion and care
for every part of God’s creation.
God of all hopefulness,
help us to grow and flourish
with the faithfulness of heart that Maureen modeled
so that we, too, may be a simple blessing of beauty
to everyone we meet, now and evermore. Amen.
Sister Maureen Tobin, OSB, 87, and in the 68th year of religious life, died on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania, following a brief illness and upheld by sisters, family members and friends.
A native of Oil City, Pennsylvania, Sister Maureen was the daughter of James and Julia (Martin) Tobin. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Erie in 1947, pronounced her perpetual monastic vows in 1952, and marked her silver, golden and 60th jubilees.
Sister Maureen held a B.S. in Business Education from Villa Maria College and an M.A. in Secondary Education Administration from Notre Dame University. She had permanent certification in secondary administration and business education. For 23 years she used her gifts in education, both as teacher and administrator, at the following schools: St. Mary and St. Benedict Academy (Erie); Immaculate Conception (Clarion); St. Joseph (Sharon); St. Gregory (North East); St. Joseph High School and Venango Christian (Oil City).
The year 1974 marked the start of several new ministries for Sister Maureen: community treasurer, monastic council member, and secretary to the Federation of St. Scholastica. The ending of her Federation duties in 1978 coincided with the beginning of her time as the community’s subprioress. From that year until 1990, she remained treasurer, monastic council member and subprioress, roles she undertook with steadfast commitment. Following her years in community leadership Sister Maureen worked as a business manager for a number of organizations: AIM (Alliance for International Monasticism), Benetvision, Emmaus Ministries, Inc., and Pax Christi USA, while also offering her skills and support as personal assistant, business manager and dear friend to Sister Joan Chittister from 1990 until the time of her death. Reliable and faithful, Sister Maureen was known for her dedication, unfailing generosity and kindness to one and all.
Sister Maureen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James. She is survived by her Benedictine community, her niece Cheryl Tobin and nephews Tom (Janice), David (Lisa), John (Karen), and James Tobin and their families, as well as cousins and many good friends.
Services will take place at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery: Visitation, Thursday, 2:00–7:00 p.m. and Friday, 2:00–5:00 p.m., a Service of Memories on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Interment will be on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in Trinity Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 6101 East Lake Road, Erie, Pennsylvania 16511. Brugger Funeral Homes and Crematory, Pine Avenue Branch, 845 East 38th Street, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 6101 East Lake Road, Erie, PA 16511. Click here to offer an online memorial.
