Sister Maureen (Sister de la Salle) Vellon, RSHM, died at Marymount Convent, Tarrytown, NY, on Wednesday, September 14, 2023. She was 85 years of age and had been a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary for 65 years.
She was born Maureen Vellon in New York City, NY, on August 8, 1938, to Joseph A. and Grace Burchell Vellon.
She received a BA in English from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, an MA in English from Columbia University, New York City, and a professional diploma from Fordham University, NY.
She was taught by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary at St. Thomas Aquinas School, Bronx, NY, and the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Sag Harbor, NY. She entered the congregation at the RSHM Novitiate in Tarrytown, NY, on September 8, 1956. She made her first vows on June 15, 1958, in Tarrytown, where she also made her final vows on August 25, 1963.
Sister Maureen’s many years of ministry in education began as a teacher at Marymount Junior School, Arlington, VA (1958-1960). Her second assignment was to South America where she taught at Marymount School, Barranquilla, Colombia (1960-1963).
She spent 11 years at Marymount School of New York, as a teacher (1964-1967) and then as principal of the junior school (1968-1975).
Sister Maureen went to Marymount International School, Paris, France twice. The first time was as a teacher (1975-1976). The second time as the head of school (1985-1995).
She taught at St. Anne’s School, Garden City, NY (1976-1978) before becoming principal (1978-1985). She was the principal of All Saints Regional School, Glen Cove, NY (1996-2003) and of St. Bernadette School, Springfield, VA (2003-2005).
Her last ministry in education was at Istituto Marymount, Rome, Italy where she served as the middle school’s principal (2005-2016).
After 58 years dedicated to elementary and secondary education as a teacher and principal, Sister Maureen retired in Sag Harbor, NY. She moved to Marymount Convent, Tarrytown, NY in 2020 and was a member of the Convent community at the time of her death.
Sister Maureen is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and by members of her religious family.
Services are at Marymount Convent, 32 Warren Avenue, Tarrytown, NY. Visiting Monday, September 18, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm with a Vigil Service at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial, on Tuesday, September 19, at 10:30 am. Burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery, White Plains.
We invite you to join us for the Vigil Service and Mass at Marymount Convent or by live-stream on our website (www.rshm-east.org), where it will be archived.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name may be made to Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, 50 Wilson Park Drive, Tarrytown, NY, 10591.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. I was a student at St. Anne’s School in Garden City while Sister de la Salle was principal. I remember her fondly. May she rest in peace. My condolences to her family.
The Cooney family was saddened by the passing of S, Maureen! Richard Lisa and Noelle were students at St. Anne’s Garden City while S. Maureen was principal! Many fond thoughts of her during that time! In the blizzard of 1978 when my sister was operated on for cancer at Sloan Kettering, the RSHM under S. Maureen took care of my three children when I couldn’t get back home! You never forget the people in this life who were so good to you! Rest In Peace S Maureen! You will always be remembered and never forgotten! Thank you. Sincerely, Marie Cooney 🙏❤️
That sounds like exactly what my Aunt would have done. She loved helping people
Parents of three graduates of Marymount Paris, members and once President of the Marymount Paris board and most of all friends of Sister Maureen, we deeply regret her passing but are so profoundly grateful that she was part of our lives. Her intense desire to give the very best to all of the young people who came under her care and their families inspired us all. Patrick & Christine Murray
Sister Maureen was one of those people who changed lives. She certainly changed ours. She made my husband, Harry, a member of Marymount’s Board; hired me as a Kindergarten aide and then encouraged me to train as a Montessori teacher, resulting in many happy years at Marymount. Our two sons have many memories of Sister Maureen (some of which I only recently discovered!) but she clearly made an impression because Sean very proudly sent his daughter, Chloe, to Marymount while they awaited the birth in Paris of their younger daughter. I will miss her twice yearly “check-in” calls at Christmas and our one-day-apart birthdays. It was said, somewhat humorously, that the two most powerful American women in Paris were Pamela Harriman, US Ambassador at the time, and Sister Maureen who held the keys to Marymount! On a another funny note: whenever you were in the car with her and looking for parking in Paris or Neuilly, Sister Maureen would say “Little Flower, in this hour show your power” and voila there would be the perfect parking space!
A truly wonderful lady. May she rest in peace.
R.I.P Sister Maureen and thank-you for being the kind hearted human being that I am very fortunate to have met .
Donna Vellon if possible could you send me a copy of the prayer service in S Maureen’s honor or prayer card in her honor! Wasn’t able to attend mass with Noelle she was called to work at Hospital for special surgery! My address is: Marie Cooney. 112 New Hyde Park Road. Garden City, NY 11530. Phone 516 445 6523! I hope I’m not imposing! Only if possible! S Maureen will always be remembered and never forgotten! We all loved her dearly! Peter did a great job at Mass. so happy I was able to see it! Thank you for your kindness! Marie Cooney!
We knew Sr Maureen at Marymount Paris, where I was privileged to serve as PTA Board chair under her. She was a special lady who warmly welcomed us all into Marymount. It became our special home while in Paris. My daughters never had better teachers than at Marymount, because of Sr, Maureen’s leadership. She lived life to the fullest and will be remembered fondly by all who knew her,
Cathy and Richard Townsend
sad to hear the passing of Sister Maureen. I was a student at Marymount School in Neuilly/seine from 1981 till 1984. Sister Maurern was an excellent Headmistress and cared for us all. I, then worked at Marymount from 1990/1991 as an Aide Maternelle teacher. They were good memories and enjoyed those years. Sister Maureen will be dearly missed
I am so grateful that during Sr Maureen’s time in Rome I was able to once again spend time with her. We had a joyful and reminiscing dinner along with several of the other sisters at Marymount Rome. I met Sr Maureen when she hired me as a curriculum consultant in Paris, but later, I became chair of her board. I was chair during the time of EuroDisney’s beginning in Paris and we had many children from the Disney families. It was an exciting time, and she was an inspiration. I can only imagine the number of lives she touched during her lifetime. She was compassionate and smart, and fun.
So sorry to hear of Sr. Maureen’s passing. Our daughters spent 4 years at Marymount in Paris. We were extremely grateful that the girls had this experience. Our sincere condolences to all affected by her passing. She was an inspirational leader of the school and will be remembered fondly forever.
Bob & Rita Booth