Shining Lamps

For almost 140 years, we at Merion Mercy have been blessed with an amazing legacy of Mercy educators. Decade after decade, our incredible faculty have made a truly profound impact on our students—inspiring, comforting, and challenging them. Our faculty have lighted up minds and hearts, shining a bright, clear path which endures as a life-affirming north star. What we hear so often is “Merion Mercy made me into the woman I am today.” We are honored to share these reflections from two of our alumnae.

“When many reflect back on their years at Merion, they smile and think of the Weenie roasts, dances, trips, and fun. My experience was different as my dad became terminally ill my freshman year and passed away Easter Sunday my sophomore year. (And I had nine younger siblings!) It was really a difficult time in my life.

What I remember is the small, kind words of caring adults. The moments when teachers recognized I was overwhelmed and gave me extra time to do an assignment. In Sister Miriam de Lourdes’ office, I cried. She made sure that when I returned to class, it didn’t look like I had just cried. It was Mrs. O’Reilly in chemistry, Ms. Kenny in French, my field hockey coach Ms. Costa, Barb Clarke, Sister Ann Marion— and so so many more—who just made my school routine safe and full of love and kindness.

I can only imagine the amount of reimagining, pivoting, and extraordinary efforts every faculty and staff member have taken at MMA to preserve the distinguished academics and opportunities for girls this past year. Please know, I am forever grateful for those teachers who “filled my cup” each day—as they personalized the Merion experience for me, and I believe I have become a strong, resilient, and soulful woman today because of their care. Thank you from my heart.”

— Fran Bateman Bisselle ’87 “Our lives are shaped by significant influencers in our growing-up years. Outside our family bubble, MMA provided a safe place that nurtured us through friendships and learning. I didn’t realize at the time how influential these elements are, but I believe that if you put a child in a thriving atmosphere, good things happen. It is Everything.

The notions of accountability, responsibility and inner fortitude have stayed with me all these years. Mrs. Zager taught us that science and religion are not at odds. Fabulous. My 16-year-old self understood that this was a fundamentally important concept. Although I didn’t quite get it at the time, eventually I realized the importance of uniting these concepts. Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Liebman were perhaps the smartest teachers I ever had. Mrs. Jordan infused us with her wonder, her fascination with history and how it influenced our world, and especially how we viewed our future. Mrs. Liebman’s logical approach to abstract concepts allowed me to think in three dimensions, an important building block of my professional life.

And Sister Juanita—with her unwavering steadfastness and zeal—provided the foundation to translate Caesar and Cicero, which was such a revelation. I still remember some of those declensions. Sister Brian Mary (aka Peg McBrian) gave me a sense of self. No small feat for an any 17-year-old filled with angst and lack of confidence.

I have come to believe that the mark of success is simple: Raise children to be healthy, happy, and make their way in the world. Merion is tethered forever in my mind as a critical link in this journey.”