Dominican Sister of Peace Mary Bergin, 91, died July 7, 2026, at Mohun Care Center in Columbus.  She was born in Washington, Dc, to John and Mary (Keegan) Bergin in 1935 and entered the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci (now the Dominican Sisters of Peace) in 1954. She took the religious name Sister Mary John Vercelli. She professed her final vows six years later. 

Sister Mary was a devoted woman religious for 69 years. She served as president of the de’ Ricci congregation from 1978-86 and filled a variety of administrative roles in her community as well. She also spent time ministering as a teacher in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania, a staff member of Dominican retreat houses in Pennsylvania and New York, a novice director in Pennsylvania, and a member of the diocesan tribunal in Orlando, Florida. 

She came to Columbus in 2015 and was part of a ministry of prayer and presence until her death. Dominican Sisters of Peace Prioress Pat Twohill calls Sr. Mary Bergin, ..."a gentle and quiet woman, but when there was a goal to be accomplished, or a wrong to be righted, she spoke with authority and candor." Sr. Pat also points to Sr. Mary as a visionary during her time as president of the de’ Ricci Congregation, saying, “She engaged the sisters in a process to secure their financial futures.” 

During her July 21 Mass of Resurrection at the Columbus Motherhouse Chapel, Sr. Anne Lythgoe offered a homily that was prepared by Sr. Mary’s dear friend, Sr. Lucy Vazquez, OP. She said, "Sr. Mary always accepted challenges of leadership with grace… she lived her entire life for others." When speaking of the readings Sr. Mary picked for her funeral Mass, Sr. Anne added, "The theme that is woven could not be more powerful…our loving God’s promise of salvation to each and every one of us is solid, as solid as Jesus' Resurrection." 

Sr. Mary Bergin was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Thomas. She is survived by two sisters, Mildred Pappa and Peg Elser. 

Following the funeral Mass, Sr. Mary was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery, Columbus. 

To view the homily, read by Sr. Anne Lythgoe, please go here.

Memorial gifts in our Sister’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219, or submitted securely by  going here