A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 8 in McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, for Mercy Sister Mary Ancilla Lucas who died Feb. 4. She was 93. Born in Trenton, Sister Mary Ancilla was raised and received her elementary and secondary education in Trenton. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1940 and received degrees in biology and secondary school science from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and Villanova University, Villanova, Pa.

Sister Mary Ancilla served in schools in the Metuchen, Camden and Trenton Dioceses, including St. Ann, Keansburg and Cathedral High School, Trenton, which are both in the Trenton Diocese. Fulfilling her desire to enter the home health care apostolate, Sister Mary Ancilla, in 1979, learned that the Mount Carmel Guild, Trenton, was in need of a home health aide to assist a team of one registered nurse and two licensed practical nurses. She applied, was accepted and moved to Trenton, where she lived and worked until 1984.

A health care ministry was initiated that year in St. Paul Parish, Princeton, and Sister Mary Ancilla moved to Princeton and continued her work at Mount Carmel Guild.

In November 2015, Sister Mary Ancilla was recognized with an award for her service from the Princeton Senior Care Ministry, of which she was a founding member in 1984.

Of her work, Sister Mary Ancilla once said that the purpose of her ministry was to improve the quality of life for the homebound, especially those who were elderly, sick and poor and not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.

In 2001, Sister Mary Ancilla retired to her community’s motherhouse, Mount St. Mary, and lived in Gabriel Hall before moving to McAuley Hall Health Care Center.

She is survived by one niece.

Burial was in St. Paul Cemetery, Princeton.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community, 1645 Highway 22 West, Watchung, N.J. 07069.