Sister Marilyn Sabatino, SND(formerly Sister Mary Phillip)November 20, 1943 – October 17, 2025Professed January 3, 1965
Marilyn Theresa Sabatino and her twin sister, Joanne Rose, were born on November 20, 1943 to Phillip and Mary (DiMartino) Sabatino, who had emigrated to the USA from Italy. Their brother Dominic was twelve years older, and the children attended St. Stephen Elementary School, a short walk from the home they shared with their grandmother and two aunts. The children spoke both Italian and English: there were cousins, friends and neighbors to play with, and celebrations to enjoy. In 1958, Mr. Sabatino died. The Sisters of Notre Dame, who staffed the grade school and the high school, became friends and mentors as the family coped this loss.. At St. Stephen High School, Marilyn’s extracurricular activities included the drama club, student council, and Sodality. She was a homeroom mission rep in her junior year, and Mission Club president in her senior year. The senior retreat and her presence at daily Mass confirmed her desire to serve God in religious life. Marilyn became a postulant on July 2, 1962, and at investment took the name Sister Mary Phillip, in honor of her father. As a second-year novice, Sister Marilyn was assigned to work with the sister in charge of housekeeping and several maintenance projects for the entire Chardon provincial house. This responsibility included areas of Notre Dame Elementary School and NDA high school and boarding school. The following year, Sister Marilyn was appointed as supervisor. Her “general work teams” were groups of 18 to 20-year-old novices, whom she taught to thoroughly clean rooms, scrub & wax floors, and set up the auditorium for events. Over the next 28 years, Sister Marilyn formed hundreds of young sisters in housekeeping skills and in community life by her example, patience, and sense of humor.
In 1991, Sister Marilyn began a new ministry. Having taught in Parish Schools of Religion for several years, she earned an associate degree from Notre Dame College, South Euclid, and continued her studies to become a certified pastoral minister. For 8 years, she was Director of Religious Education and served as Pastoral Minister and Youth Minister at Saints Cosmas & Damian Parish in Twinsburg, Ohio. The next 3 years were spent in Rome, Italy, as she ministered in congregational service at the Generalate and Motherhouse. Her fluency in Italian was invaluable as she could travel by bus to run errands, accompany visitors, assist the lay staff members, and share in the prayer, daily work, and rich experience of an international community.
Returning to the USA in 2003, she was Pastoral Minister at St. Adalbert Parish, Berea for 7 years, and DRE and Pastoral Minister at St. Richard Parish, North Olmsted, Ohio from 2009 to 2017. During this time she also was certified as a spiritual director. For 3 years, Sister Marilyn was a member of the Pastoral Care team in the Chardon healthcare center. Sister Marilyn’s respect for each person helped her to be a disciple of Jesus, on the road as a pilgrim to share the journey, whether easy or difficult.
In 2022, she became a resident of the healthcare center due to significant physical challenges. Her will to persevere in spite of suffering remained strong, especially this summer as she celebrated her 60th Jubilee of profession. She kept up with friends, participated in community activities, and cherished spending time with her family. “You always knew where you stood with her,” observed a friend. Her sense of justice made her unafraid to voice her opinion and engage in discussion on important topics. Though her death was unexpected, she had written instructions regarding her funeral. The lighthouses that she loved and collected over the years were signs of Christ, a beacon in night’s darkness. “Lord, you are the light of my life,” she wrote. “May my heart sail on in Christ, with confident hope in your love and everlasting life.”
The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Marilyn Sabatino will be celebrated on Monday, October 27, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH. It will be live-streamed. Go to www.sndusa.org. Click on the Chardon Regional Center. Visitation will be from 9:30 until Mass begins.
To make a donation in memory of Sister Marilyn Sabatino, please click here.
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