Sr. Mary Elizabeth Naughton, CSJ, entered eternal life May 14 at the age of 97.

Mary Elizabeth Naughton was born in Bahola County Mayo, Ireland, on Nov. 19, 1919, to Thomas and Bridget (Brennan) Naughton. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on Feb. 2, 1936, and received the name Sr. Theresina at her reception Aug. 25, 1936, but later returned to the use of her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows Aug. 26, 1938, and final vows Aug. 26, 1941. Sr. Naughton earned degrees from Nazareth College and the University of Detroit and a diploma in Theology from St. Norbert College in Wisconsin.

For 32 years she ministered as a teacher and principal in schools of the congregation including Sacred Heart Parish in Birch Run, St. Mary Parish in Grayling and St. Patrick Parish in Croswell. She became director of religious education for Catholic parishes in Genesee County, and later at St. Anne in Linville and Sacred Heart Parish in Yale.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 22 at Holy Family Chapel in Nazareth.