A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 8 in Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount St. Mary, Watchung, for Mercy Sister Mary Mercedes Eisenman who died Sept. 4 in McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung. She was 89.

Sister Mary Mercedes was born in 1920 in Bridgeport, Conn. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, and a doctorate in theology from St. Mary School of Sacred Theology, Notre Dame, Ind. She was one of the first sisters in the country and the first Sister of Mercy of New Jersey to earn the coveted title, “Doctor of Theology.”

Sister Mary Mercedes taught Latin, religion and psychology at Mount St. Mary Academy, Watchung, for 36 years. She was also an adjunct professor of philosophy and theology at Georgian Court College and Mount St. Mary Junior College for 37 years. From 1967 to 1970, she served as director of novices for the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey. She retired from teaching in 1991 and assumed the position of assistant to the development director until 2001. Her final retirement began in 2001 and she continued to volunteer at the Academy until 2006.

Sister Mary Mercedes is survived by a sister-in-law; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews.

Burial was in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, N.J. 07069.