Sister Mary Bride Diamond, RSM

Sister Mary Bride (Betty Jean) Diamond, RSM a Pittsburgh Sister of Mercy for 68 years, and a life-long Pirates and Steelers fan, died at the Convent of Mercy on October 13, 2021.  Born in McKeesport, Pa. she was 90 years old. Daughter of Patrick and Kathryn (Gavaghan) Diamond, Sister Mary Bride entered the Sisters of Mercy from St. Pius Parish in McKeesport, Pa. in 1953 and made final vows in 1958.

She earned a BS degree in education from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) and taught in area Catholic schools including St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Holy Trinity, St. Paul Cathedral School, Carlow Campus School and St. Winifred School, where she was the principal. She also served as Diocesan School Supervisor. After retiring from education, Sister Mary Bride became coordinator of maintenance for the Motherhouse and assumed responsibilities for Mercy Hall, the infirmary at the Motherhouse in Oakland, a position she held until 2010.       

Preceded in death by her parents and brothers, William, John, Anthony and James and sisters, Kathryn Holshue, Eileen Lindberg and Mary June Markosky, Sister Mary Bride is survived by several nieces and nephews.  

Laughter, generosity, empathy, love and concern for others were her special gifts, enabling her to live in joy and trust in whatever God asked of her.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Sister Mary Bride was cheering on the Steelers in a roomful of nuns at the Motherhouse. As noted in the January 6, 2012 edition of the Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper, “She could have been a pro baseball player if she hadn’t ‘caught’ a religious vocation.”

“When God calls you, he calls you no matter what; that’s it,” she said in that article. “I have had an interesting life. Thanks be to God.”

A private funeral liturgy will be followed by interment in St. Xavier’s Cemetery, Latrobe, Pa. Arrangements entrusted to the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Avenue.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. or the Carlow University Endowed Scholarship Fund.

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