TIPPING RSM, SISTER ARTHUR Sister M. Arthur Tipping (Mary Anne Tipping), a Pittsburgh Sister of Mercy for 69 years, died at the Convent of Mercy, Pittsburgh, on February 27, 2016. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she was 87 years old. Daughter of Francis and Rhoda (Carl) Tipping, Sister Arthur entered the Sisters of Mercy from St. Colman's in Turtle Creek in 1947 and made final vows in 1952. Sister Arthur earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education, with a major in Biology from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) and began her teaching career in Pittsburgh area Catholic elementary schools, including Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Regis, St. Peter, Northside and John F. Kennedy in Washington, PA. Sister Arthur taught at Sisters of Mercy sponsored schools in Puerto Rico, and upon her return she taught at St. Colman, Turtle Creek, later becoming principal there until her retirement. There was a mutual admiration among Sister Arthur and her students. Sister Arthur always wanted to be a farmer, but the Lord had other plans for her. So, she answered the Lord's call, and became a Sister of Mercy. In a write up for Sister Arthur's 60th Jubilee, Sister Rosemary Flaherty (now deceased) wrote the following: "Someday, St. Isidore, patron of farmers, will greet Sister Arthur with the joys of her heavenly home
Hopefully, there will be a patch of ground in heaven so Arthur can cultivate a lovely garden of vegetables and flowers. Then, as now, her family and friends will reap the beautiful harvest she had planted throughout her life." It was most evident to Sisters and lay people alike that Sister Arthur had a beautiful smile and joy of heart. Preceded in death by her parents, Sister Arthur is survived by a sister, Jean Stettler (David) of Dallas, TX; brothers, Francis (Joy), of Harmony, PA, Vincent (Joann) of Turtle Creek, PA; many devoted nieces, nephews and cousins, especially Rev. Thomas Manion. Friends will be received Wednesday, March 2, 2016, from 1-8 p.m. at the Convent of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Avenue. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Convent of Mercy, followed by interment in the St. Xavier's Cemetery, Latrobe. Arrangements entrusted to the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or the Carlow University Scholarship Fund. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb