A Mass of Christian Burial was held Oct. 12 in Saint Anne Villa, Convent Station, for Sister Mary Elizabeth Shute, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, who died Oct. 8 in Saint Anne Villa at the age of 86.

Sister Mary Elizabeth was born in New Brunswick, the daughter of John and Kathleen (Delaney) Shute.  She entered the Sisters of Charity on Sept. 7, 1940 and was a member for 69 years. She received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, in 1953 and a master's degree in Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University, South Orange, in 1958.

Sister Mary Elizabeth was an educator in several schools throughout New Jersey. She taught in St. Anne, Jersey City, from 1942 to 1945; St. Joseph, Jersey City, from 1945 to 1949; and St. Bridget, Jersey City, from 1949 to 1959. She then became principal of Our Lady of Victories, Harrington from 1959 to 1965. She later served as principal of St. Patrick, Elizabeth, from 1965 to 1966, and Sacred Heart, New Brunswick, from 1966 to 1972.

In Catherine Mary McHale Center, Newton, Mass., Sister Mary Elizabeth served on the staff from 1975 to 1976 and as an administrator from 1976 to 1983. She served as assistant administrator in Mother Seton Residence, Montclair, from 1983 to 1988; she served as clerical assistant and in pastoral care in Saint Anne Villa, Convent Station, from 1988 to 1990.

Sister Mary Elizabeth also served as assistant librarian from 1990 to 1997 in Immaculate Conception School, Montclair, and as office assistant in Trinity Academy, Caldwell, from 1997 to 1999. In 1999 she moved to Saint Anne Villa where she resided until her death. 

She is survived by her brother, Richard Shute of Manchester, sister-in-law Doris Shute of River View Beach, Fla., and one niece.

Burial was in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that contributions be made to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961-0476.