Mary Ruth Sedlak, SCN, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, September 28, 2018 at the age of 95 and in the 78th year of her religious life. She entered the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Ann Parish in Homestead, PA in 1941.

Sister Mary Ruth received her B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees from Duquesne University and served the Church as an elementary teacher and principal in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Springfield-Cape Girareau, Missouri. After leaving educational ministry, Sister Mary Ruth worked in the business office of St. Vincent hospital in Monett, Missouri. When she returned to the Pittsburgh area, she worked in the Vincentian Childcare Center and later as a seamstress and pastoral visitor at Vincentian Regency where she retired in 2006. Retirement did not slow down Sister Mary Ruth. She soon volunteered to be a sister companion in Ontario, Canada. After several years, Sister Mary Ruth returned to Pittsburgh where she continued to serve others in prayer ministry. She passed away peacefully as a resident Sister at the Vincentian Home.

Although Sister Mary Ruth was short in stature, her presence was felt by her sense of humor and dry wit. Growing up with many brothers enabled her live life with gusto.

Sister Mary Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Tatiana Sedlak and brothers John, Andrew, George, Joseph, Stephen and William. She is survived by her niece Shirley (John) Berta, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A wake was held on Tuesday, October 2, at St. Louise Convent in Pittsburgh. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, October 3 at St. Louise Convent Chapel. Burial was in the Sisters’ Cemetery on the convent grounds.