Sister Mary Thompson, a Sister of St. Mary of Namur, died July 7, 2015. She was 87.

Sister Mary was born April 5, 1928, in Buffalo, the daughter of George and Leda (Brinker) Thompson. She graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in Kenmore and studied at D'Youville College in Buffalo for one year before entering religious life, making her profession of vows in 1955.

She received a bachelor's degree in English from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., a master's degree in English literature from St. Bonaventure University, a master's degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and a Ph.D. in religious studies from McMasters University in Hamilton, Ontario. She was a published author who wrote two books, "They Did Not Believe: A New Approach to Mark" and "Mary of Magdala: Apostle and Preacher." Sister Mary also wrote a Western New York Catholic column, entitled "The Word," and articles for the Pastoral Life magazine.

Sister Mary also taught at Daemen College in Amherst, the Calasanctius Preparatory School, Canisius College and Trocaire College in Buffalo, Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora and Mount St. Mary Academy. During her teaching ministry, she also served as principal of DeSales High School in Lockport and Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda. She served in prison ministry as well, educating inmates in the college program at Attica Correctional Facility.

She is survived by a brother, Robert Thompson; a brother-in-law, James (Sherri) Denny and a niece, Jeannie Thompson.

A funeral Mass was held at St. Mary Center Chapel in Buffalo, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore.