Sr. Mary Arnold Tann, SSJ

Sister Mary Arnold Tann, SSJ, 93, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on May 5, 2025, in the 73rd year of her religious life. She was born on October 15, 1931, in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Arnold and Margaret Chapman Tann. Her family later moved to Erie, where she graduated from Villa Maria Academy in 1945. She received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College, Erie, and an MS degree in guidance from Gannon University, Erie. She earned certifications in administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and library science from Penn State Erie.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Andrew Parish in Erie in 1952 and made her final profession in 1958. Her ministry in education includes 30 years as a teacher at several diocesan schools, including Blessed Sacrament, Villa Maria Elementary, St. Peter's, Our Lady of Peace, and St. Ann Schools in Erie; St. Bernard School in Bradford, PA, and as principal at Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Peace. In addition, she was an administrator in the Diocese of Erie's Office of Education for 24 years, where she served as Director of Teacher Personnel, Superintendent of Schools, and Associate Vicar for Education.

She received the Gannon University Distinguished Alumni Award, and Pope John Paul II awarded her the pontifical honor Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice. Following her retirement, she volunteered at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

In addition to her parents, Sister Mary Arnold was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Tann. She is survived by brothers Charles (Kathleen) and Richard (Christina) and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her religious community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Friends may call at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center, 5031 West Ridge Rd., Erie, on Friday, May 9, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with prayer and sharing of memories. Calling hours will continue until 3:50 p.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 4:00 p.m. The mass will be livestreamed on the Sisters of St. Joseph YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/SSJErie/live. The interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Mission & Ministries Foundation, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA, 16506-1249.

Arrangements by the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services Inc., West Ridge,3801 W.26th St.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com