Joy and Resilience: S. Mary Kormanec Turns 100

“If the world takes something from us on the one hand, God will give us something on the other.”

St. Louise de Marillac

By Sebastian Isaacs, Communications Intern

Born and raised in the small village of Clarence, Pennsylvania, as a second-generation Slovak immigrant, S. Mary Kormanec could never have imagined that entering the Vincentian Sisters of Charity at age 15 would one day lead her to celebrate her 100th birthday as a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati. Commemorating a century marked by faithful devotion, resilience and joy, the Community celebrated this remarkable milestone on Friday, May 29, one day before her actual birthday.

Even as a young girl, S. Mary felt drawn to religious life. During the summer months, Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Michigan visited her parish to teach catechism, and their witness left a lasting imprint on her. “Their way of life impressed me,” S. Mary recalled. “I just felt that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to serve the Lord in that way… so I had an inclination then.”

Although she was initially drawn to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the family of a local Vincentian Sister of Charity encouraged S. Mary to consider the Vincentian community in Bedford, Ohio, because it was a primarily Slovak order. After much discernment, S. Mary took a leap of faith and entered the Community on Feb. 1, 1941.

The resilience that would guide her throughout her life and ministry, she said, came largely from her mother, a Slovak immigrant who raised 10 children and became widowed early in S. Mary’s life. She continues to carry her mother’s deep Catholic faith with her each day, beginning every morning by thanking the Lord and taking life one day at a time. When asked what advice she would offer younger generations, that daily practice was central to her response.

“That’s the model,” she said, “Take one day at a time, take the good and the bad while thanking the Lord and praying that everything goes the way it should.”

This practice has been especially helpful through the many chapters of S. Mary’s life, including her graduation from Marymount High School in Garfield Heights, Ohio, and while pursuing her teaching career. She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. John’s Teachers College in Cleveland in 1956 and, in 1974, completed a master’s degree in education from the University of Akron while preparing to serve as principal of St. Mary School in Bedford, Ohio.

Life in the Vincentian community also meant helping maintain the self-sustaining nature of Villa San Bernardo, the Bedford motherhouse. S. Mary remembers long summer days of gardening and “sickling on the hills.” Alongside her dedication to their motherhouse, she also visited nursing homes and served as a nurse’s aide. Still, her life’s most rewarding ministry has been education.

She began her educational ministry as an elementary teacher at St. Andrew School in Cleveland from 1947–1949 and went on to serve as an elementary and junior high teacher at several Catholic schools, with fourth grade remaining her favorite. Following her years as principal, she continued ministering as both an educator and administrator throughout the Cleveland Diocese until retiring in 2007, concluding 60 years of dedicated service in Catholic education.

Throughout her ministry, S. Mary found great joy in her students. In retirement, she continues to stay active by completing crossword puzzles, visiting others around the Motherhouse and volunteering in the Communications Office, where she helps prepare biweekly newsletters for Sisters and Associates.

Although she never expected to spend her retirement as a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati following the 2004 merger of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity, S. Mary embraced the transition and continued living the mission of serving “wherever there is a need.”

“You just have to accept things as they come,” she said. Reflecting on the merger, her move to Cincinnati and two difficult back surgeries, she added, “There is good and bad in everything that happens, so you just have to be accepting and willing to change.”

On May 30, 2026, S. Mary will celebrate her 100th birthday surrounded by Motherhouse employees and fellow Sisters, gathering to honor her long, vibrant life in community.

S. Mary Kormanec volunteers in the Communications Office, where she helps prepare biweekly newsletters.

One of S. Mary Kormanec’s favorite places to visit on campus is the Communications Office, where she enjoys spending time with staff.

(Pictured standing second to right) S. Mary Kormanec is joined by fellow Vincentian Sisters of Charity, who merged with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 2004.

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