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Sr. Mary Timothy Galbraith RSM, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, died peacefully on March 20, 2025, at The Meadows Skilled Care facility, Dallas, Pa. She was born in Altoona, the daughter of Julia E. LeVan and John H. Galbraith MD. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1944 and professed her perpetual vows in 1950. In September 2024, she joyously celebrated 80 years as a Sister of Mercy.
After completing her studies at College Misericordia, Dallas, Pa. (now Misericordia University), Sister Timothy spent her early years teaching elementary school in the Altoona, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh dioceses. While she enjoyed her young students, she yearned for a ministry in health care, a deep desire enkindled in her by her mother, who was a nurse, and her father, who was a surgeon.
At the age of 33, Sr. Timothy earned her nursing diploma at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Johnstown. Not long after, she received a BSN from Catholic University and her master's degree, with a specialization in maternity nursing, from Columbia University. Ultimately, Sr. Timothy studied midwifery at Temple University, Philadelphia. Throughout her years of studying, she also was an instructor in nursing at Mount Aloysius College, Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Wilkes-Barre, and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Johnstown. The highlight of Sr. Timothy's ministerial life was her work for more than a decade as a Nurse-Midwife and the director of a birth center in the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida.
Sr. Timothy's lifelong commitment to the people of God was characterized by her tender-hearted care for the vulnerable, especially women and children. All Sisters of Mercy choose a "motto" at their Religious Profession, and Sr. Timothy's was "Make my heart according to Your Heart." Although she preferred others to see her strong exterior, in her own graceful way, she was tending compassionately to the needs of others for all of her 98 years of life.
Sister Timothy was predeceased by her parents, Julia and John; her sister, Jean Galbraith; and brother, John Galbraith.
She is survived by her faithful, loving niece, Dorine Walski; other nieces, nephews and cousins; and her dear family friend, Jodell Salata; as well as her dear friend in Mercy, Sr. Romaine Shannon; other friends among the Sisters of Mercy; and staff at the Sisters Residence (Mercy Center) and Mercy Associates.
The Sisters of Mercy express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Sisters Residence in Mercy Center and The Meadows and Hospice of the Sacred Heart, who generously cared for Sister Timothy as she made her final journey to God.
The celebration of Sr. Timothy's life will take place with visitation from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24, 2025, in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Mercy Center, Dallas.
Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Sisters' Cemetery, Mount Aloysius College, Cresson.
Memorial contributions in Sister Timothy's name may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, P.O. Box 370, Dallas, PA 18612; or the charity of your choice.