Sr. Mary Martin DePorres of Jesus, OP, died April 5 at Our Lady of Mt. Thabor Monastery of Ortonville at the age of 97.

She was born July 22, 1918, in West Hoboken, N.J.; she was the daughter of the late Cesare and Cristina (nee: DiFabristiis) DiGiambattista.

Sr. Mary Martin entered the Monastery of the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary in Union City, N.J., (Blue Chapel) on Aug. 4, 1936. She made her first Profession of vows on April 24, 1938. While at the Blue Chapel, Sr. Martin was a member of the council, sacristan, novice mistress and prioress. In 1973, Sr. Mary Martin and Sr. Ann Mary, OP, came to Ortonville to found Our Lady of Mt. Thabor Monastery in the Dominican tradition, living there in community with her fellow sisters.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Louis, and sister, Philomena Gerbino. She is survived by her sisters in religious life; a nephew, Peter Gerbino; a niece, Mary Gerbino; sister-in-law Louise; and several grandnephews and grandnieces.

A Mass of Resurrection, followed by burial, was celebrated April 7 at the Mt. Thabor Monastery.

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