Sr. Mary Jo Maher, IHM, 86, died Oct. 9 in the IHM Health Care Center in Monroe.

Sr. Maher was one of six children of Henry and Veronica (Kelly) Maher, born Jan. 23, 1929, in Detroit, and given the name Mary Joseph. She attended Gesu and Haley Public Elementary Schools and Immaculata High School in Detroit and became a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe in 1947, receiving the religious name Patrick Ellen.

Sr. Maher earned degrees from Marygrove College and St. Louis University. She taught for 12 years at St. Mary and St. Michael, Monroe; St. Mary, Mt. Clemens; Holy Redeemer, Detroit; and Marygrove College’s Monroe Campus.

Sr. Maher served as dean of studies at Marygrove College’s Monroe Campus; IHM congregation director of apostolate; a missionary in Recife, Brazil; and in pastoral ministry in Recife, Sacred Heart Parish in Yale, and in Illinois and Indiana. She ministered in peace and justice ministries in Detroit. On behalf of the IHM congregation, Sr. Maher served as provincial and archives volunteer.

Sr. Maher is survived by her brother, Henry; sister, Sr. Veronica Mary, IHM; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Richard and sisters Margaret and Veronica. Mass of Christian Burial was to be Oct. 15 in the Motherhouse Chapel.