“If the world takes something from us on the one hand, God will give us something on the other.”
St. Louise de Marillac
June 1, 2026
Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Mary Kormanec Celebrates 100th Birthday
The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati celebrated the life of Sister Mary Kormanec, formerly Mary Sebastian, on Friday, May 29. A Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 85 years, Sister Mary turned 100 years old on May 30, 2026.
A native of Clarence, Pennsylvania, Sister Mary was born the second youngest of 10 children to Slovak immigrants Joseph and Mary (Kotera) Kormanec. She entered religious life with the Vincentian Sisters of Charity of Bedford, Ohio, on Feb. 1, 1941, after receiving encouragement from the family of a local Vincentian Sister of Charity. Her call to religious life began at a young age, inspired by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Michigan who traveled to Pennsylvania during the summers to teach catechism to local children.
“Their way of life impressed me,” Sister Mary said. “I felt called to serve the Lord in that way.”
Much of the resilience Sister demonstrated upon entering the Vincentian Sisters of Charity Community while still receiving her high school education stemmed from the example of her mother, a devout Catholic who raised her children to “thank the Lord each day” and modeled strength after the early death of her father.
Sister Mary received her high school degree from Marymount High School in Garfield Heights, Ohio. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in education from St. John’s Teachers College in Cleveland in 1956 and a master’s degree in education from the University of Akron in 1974.
For 60 years, Sister served in teaching and administrative roles at schools throughout the Cleveland area, including St. Andrew in Cleveland; Saints Cyril and Methodius in Barberton; St. Rita in Solon; Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wickliffe; St. Elizabeth in Youngstown; and St. Mary in Bedford.
Throughout her ministry in education, Sister Mary found great joy in her students, especially the fourth graders she taught over the years. “They were so innocent at that age,” she said.
Sister’s longest and most fulfilling ministry was at St. Mary’s School in Bedford, where she served for 20 years as an elementary and junior high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, and parish school religion director.
In 2004, Sister Mary became a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati when the Vincentian Sisters of Charity merged with the congregation. She remained in Bedford at St. Mary School until her retirement in 2007 before relocating to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Motherhouse campus, where she currently resides.
In retirement, Sister Mary enjoys visiting her friends and fellow Sisters, completing crossword puzzles, reading, and volunteering in the Sisters of Charity Communications Office, where she helps prepare biweekly newsletters for Sisters and Associates.
Reflecting on her 100 years of life, Sister Mary encourages younger generations to approach life with openness and acceptance. “Take things as they come,” she said. “There will always be challenges along the way, but you learn to face them with patience, faith, and a sense of humor.”
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