Sister Mary Juliana, 94, longtime educator

Sister Mary Juliana, 94, a longtime member of the Sisters of Mercy, died Saturday, Nov. 15, at McAuley Convent in Merion.

Sister Mary Juliana, whose birth name was Florence Bieker, was born and reared in Philadelphia, and graduated from West Catholic High School for Girls in 1938. She received her master's degree in theology from Villanova University in 1965.

In 1943, she took her vows at Sisters of Mercy, an international community of service to the poor, sick, and uneducated.

Sister Juliana spent 14 years teaching elementary education after taking her vows, at Our Lady of Lourdes in West Philadelphia, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Mount Carmel, Pa., Annunciation in Havertown, and Holy Martyrs in Oreland. She also taught at St. Joseph in Summit Hill, Pa., and St. Elizabeth in Whitehall, Pa.

In 1959, she moved to secondary education, teaching Latin and religion at Central Catholic High School in Allentown; the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy of Gwynedd Valley; and John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School and St. Hubert High School for Girls in Philadelphia, and Bishop Kenrick High School in Norristown.

In 1975, Sister Juliana became a staff member at what is now Gwynedd Mercy University, working in the library and campus store. Between 1980 and 1992, she worked for the college's employment opportunities office.

Sister Juliana also served three years at Maternity School before moving to the Convent of Mercy in Merion.

In August, 2013 Sister Juliana retired to McAuley, where she worked in ministry and prayer.

She is survived by a sister-in-law.

Services will be Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Convent of Mercy Chapel in Merion, with a 6 p.m. viewing followed by a Funeral Mass at 8. Burial will be Friday, Nov. 21, at the Community Cemetery.

Contributions may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Ave., Merion, Pa. 19066.