Sr. Pusateri

Sr. Mary George Pusateri was born January 10, 1929 in Franklin, LA. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas, Louisiana on February 26, 2017 at 9:20 AM. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, her father, Anthony Pusateri, and her mother, Beatrice Siracusa Pusateri, both from Italy. She was also preceded in death by her 3 brothers: Joseph, John, and Samuel and 2 sisters: Josephine and Rose Marie. Survivors include her beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
Sr. Mary George entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in New Orleans on September 1, 1946 and pronounced her perpetual vows on August 9, 1951. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Angels College in 1951 and a Masters of Education degree from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas in 1968. Sr. Mary George taught in elementary schools in Houma, New Orleans, Ville Platte and Arnaudville. She was principal of St. Julian Eymard in New Orleans and Sacred Heart in Ville Platte. From 1980 until 2013, Sister ministered at St. Rita in New Orleans serving as teacher, parish minister, and in countless ways as a volunteer in the school.
Following in the footsteps of her beloved St. Joseph, Sr. Mary George was keenly rooted in the midst of life's daily moments by her gentle, prayerful presence to others. She was the one lending an attentive ear and offering support as a wise, parent-figure to countless students, friends, fellow Marianites and family members. Often she taught her most profound lessons without words. Sharing coffee or lunch, instructing in the classroom, enjoying social gatherings, teaching needle work to students, sharing her delicious baked goodies, caring for her many plants, living with her Marianite Sisters - she witnessed the essence of the spiritual dimension of life. When unable to do so by her physical presence, she used her gift of correspondence to joyfully and prayerfully connect with others. Cards, notes and phone calls she received in the last weeks of her life attest to the many people whose lives she continued to touch until the end.
Through her varied life experiences, Sr. Mary George lived in the light of the resurrection. Her needle work often displayed the image of the butterfly and she surrounded herself with this image not as a decoration but as a religious icon. In the spiritual life when the outer and inner dimensions are most congruent, there is a profound connection to the sacred. This was the reality for our Sr. George as this image was deeply rooted in her heart. She believed and taught that the cocoon would not have the last word. When the caterpillar wondered if life was ending; it fulfilled its destiny, stretched its wings and became a butterfly. As Sr. Mary George takes flight, we thank her for joyfully and consistently sharing resurrection life in its many forms with all of us!
To celebrate her life, a wake service will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017 from 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM in the chapel at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30 AM in the chapel at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home with burial in St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas, LA.
In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that memorial donations be made to the Marianites of Holy Cross at 21388 Smith Road, Covington, LA 70435.

Visitation

Prompt Succor Nursing Facility Chapel
954 E. Prudhomme Lane
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, March 3, 2017
8:00am-10:30am

Service

Prompt Succor Nursing Facility Chapel
954 E. Prudhomme Lane
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, March 3, 2017
10:30am

Cemetery

St. Landry Cemetery
1020 North Main Street
Opelousas, LA  70570