Manzerra, Sister Mary Jane (Giovanina) ALBANY Sister Mary Jane (Giovanina) Manzerra, died on Thursday, March 11, 2010, in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital after a long illness. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 64 years. Sister was the daughter of the late Joseph and Louisa Marro Manzerra. Born in Troy, N.Y., she graduated from Catholic Central High School and received her B.S. from the College of St. Rose, Albany, and her M.S. from Russell Sage College in Troy. Sister ministered as a teacher at numerous schools in the Albany Diocese, including St. John the Baptist, Schenectady; Sacred Heart of Mary, Watervliet; St. Mary's, Gloversville; Our Lady of Mercy, Colonie; St. Joseph 's, Rensselaer; Blessed Sacrament, Albany; Annunciation, Ilion; St. Paul's, Troy; and Watervliet Catholic Elementary School. Sister Mary Jane had a way of seeing the bright side of life and was always seen with a smile on her face. Despite suffering from a serious illness for more than 25 years, the defining characteristic of her life as a Sister of Mercy was joy. Instead of complaining, she used her own infirmity to assist others to live with their physical limitations. A member of the Capitol Region Ostomy Association, an organization on whose board she also served, she exercised an active ministry of visitation of patients at both Albany Medical Center and St. Mary's (Seton Health) in Troy who suffered from similar conditions. Her naturally compassionate nature made her sensitive to the suffering of others. Sister Mary Jane prized her independence and remained engaged in life, even taking up learning Spanish in the past year. Sister Mary Jane is survived by her sister, Angeline (Robert) Collins of Troy and her brother, Frank (Philomena) Manzerra of Latham; numerous nieces and nephews, and by her religious family, the Sisters of Mercy. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Louis who died in World War II. The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff of St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the great tenderness with which they cared for our sister. Viewing hours will be from 4:00 8:00 p.m. Tuesday , March 16, 2010 in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. Relatives and friends are welcome and are invited to attend a Prayer Service of Remembrance in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m. Sister's Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy. Contributions may be made in Sister Mary Jane's memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 310 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208. Condolence page at www.wjlyonsfuneralhome.com