Sister Mary Mercedes Cook, SCMC, entered eternal life on Sunday, January 4, 2026, following a long illness. Her final years were spent at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, where she received compassionate care.
Born Jacqueline Fayre Cook in Hagerstown, Maryland, on December 18, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Garland and Anita (Willis) Cook. Her family later moved to Norwich, Connecticut. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic and entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church in 1958. She professed perpetual vows in 1966.
Sister Mercedes earned degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University and devoted more than 50 years to Catholic education. She served as an educator at St. Joseph School in Baltic, as well as schools in Byram, Bloomfield, Taftville, and Manchester. She later returned to the Academy of the Holy Family, serving in several leadership roles.
One of her most enduring legacies was the founding and direction of Sacred Heart Learning Center, where she and a dedicated staff of lay educators provided academic support to children and young people needing remedial and summer instruction. Sister Mercedes showed special care for neurodiverse students and those with learning disabilities and speech or language challenges, mentoring them with patience, dignity, and compassion.
Deeply grateful for the many friends who supported her ministry and fundraisers, Sister Mercedes cherished those relationships throughout her later years. She remained surrounded by friendship and faith during her time at St. Joseph Living Center.
She was predeceased by her sister, Roselyn Barboza, and is survived by her Sisters of Charity and her nieces, Jackie Barboza and Jamie Rose.
Sister Mary Mercedes died as she lived— faithful, joyful, and deeply in love with the Lord, whom she now meets face to face.
Visitation will be held Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday morning, January 10, prior to the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., all at the Motherhouse Chapel in Baltic. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Baltic. A light luncheon will follow at the Academy dining room, where her life will be remembered with fellowship and shared stories.
Godere-Guillot Funeral Home of Taftville is assisting with arrangements.
For more information, or to leave a message for the Sisters and her family, please visit the SCMC website