A funeral Mass for Sister Mary Brian Rafferty was celebrated Jan. 2 in the chapel at the Mercy Sisters' Catherine's Residence Chapel in Creve Coeur.

Sister Mary Brian, an educator for 55 years before retiring in 2010, died Dec. 29. She was 84.

Born in New Orleans, she entered the Sisters of Mercy community in 1950 and professed final vows in 1956. Sister Mary Brian received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Webster College in St. Louis in 1955 and a master's degree in special education from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee in 1971.

Sister Mary Brian ministered in education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis at St. Joan of Arc School in south St. Louis from 1959-60 and at Christ the King School in University City from 1963-65. She also taught in Louisiana.

Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.