Sister Virginia Stanton (formerly Sister M. Regis), 84, a Sister of Mercy for 64 years, died Monday, September 8, after a brief illness. A native of Nashua, NH, she was the daughter of John and Margaret (Benson) Stanton.
Sister Virginia held a B.A. degree in English and history from Mount Saint Mary College, Hooksett, NH and an M.A. degree in history from the University of New Hampshire, Durham. She taught in Catholic elementary schools in New Hampshire, as well as St. Mary Star of the Sea School in East Boston, MA. In New Hampshire she was a teacher at St. Mary Academy in Dover; St. Patrick School, Berlin; Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Manchester; St. Rose of Lima School, Littleton; St. Patrick School, Portsmouth; and St. Mary School, Claremont.
In 1974, Sister Virginia began working as an administrative assistant at the Diocese of Manchester in the Office of Community Affairs. She was involved in social justice programs in the schools and was director of the Holy Childhood program. From 1984 until 1993, she served as administrative assistant at Centro Presente in Cambridge, MA; and at the Center for Religious Development in North Cambridge.
In 1993, Sister Virginia went to Nashua where she gave volunteer service teaching English as a Second Language and adult literacy classes. She was also a volunteer in the Hispanic Ministry in Nashua and at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter.
Family members include Philip McLaughlin of Laconia, Elizabeth McLaughlin and Timothy McLaughlin of Hollis, and Mark McLaughlin of Nashua.
Friends may call at the Warde Health Center, 21 Searles Road, Windham, New Hampshire, from 4 to 6 PM on Friday, Sept. 12th. A prayer service will follow at 6PM in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Sisters of Mercy in Windham. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at 9:30 AM on Saturday, Sept. 13th. Burial will be at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, NH.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 21 Searles Road, PO Box 420, Windham, NH 03087-0420.