Sister Adria Turrill, SSND
January 2, 1924 - January 17, 2026
Ethel Turrill began her 102 years in New York City on January 2, 1924. Her parents, Bridget Griffin and Henry Turrill, were lifelong New Yorkers and brought six children, five girls and one boy, into the world. Ethel was baptized on January 21st at St. Joseph Church.
One day, Ethel attended Easter Mass with her family, and upon returning home, they found firemen in front of their apartment. Although Ethel doesn’t explain the reason in her autobiography, this may be why the family was living in New Jersey when it was time for her to enter first grade. In September 1930, Ethel began first grade at St. John in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where the School Sisters of Notre Dame taught. Two years later, she received her First Holy Communion, and in April 1936, Ethel was confirmed by Bishop McLoughlin.
During her early school years, little Ethel was attempting to get a book and put her left hand through a French door. “For weeks, I was babied and went around with my arm in a sling.” When Ethel was in the eighth grade, her grandmother, who lived down the street from the family, died. Ethel was very close to her and would reminisce that Grandma used to wave to her whenever she passed by her house.
After graduation, Ethel attended the SSND Aspiranture in nearby Fort Lee, New Jersey. Those were happy years, and she bonded with two girls who became her lifelong friends, Virginia Sebert and Dolly Todaro. Amazingly, two other SSND centenarians were at Fort Lee during Ethel’s time, Clare Fitzgerald and Henrice Eckert. When her older sister announced that she would soon marry, Ethel jumped right in and announced that she was going to the convent! Graduation was in June of 1943, and that August, Ethel received the bonnet at St. John’s Convent, Bergenfield, New Jersey.
During the two years as a candidate, Ethel prepared to teach at the Normal School in the Baltimore Motherhouse. Ethel tells us in her autobiography that her vocation developed there, and her devotion to the Blessed Mother and her Son was solidified. “I entered the order because it was the only one I knew, and because it was Our Lady’s Order.” Her love for and closeness to Mary was a lifelong friendship. Reception into the novitiate was July 16, 1945, and Ethel took the name Mary Adria. First Profession of Vows followed two years later, and she professed her Final Vows in 1952.
Adria began her teaching career at St. Vincent’s Orphanage School in Tacony, Pennsylvania, where she created a loving environment for the little ones. Adria continued to teach until 1971, when she was asked to lead St. Patrick School in Glen Cove, Long Island. Because of her mother’s ill health, Adria asked for a leave of absence from SSND. During the years of caring for her mother, Adria became attracted to the medical profession.
Ever faithful to her commitment as an SSND, Adria returned to her community after her mother died. She began to train as a cardiology technician and eventually became adept as a telemetry technician and medical assistant. At the time of her retirement, she was an assistant in Dr. William Lee’s office in Oakland, New Jersey. It was her failing eyesight that prompted the decision. True to her strong and independent spirit, Adria drove herself to Villa Notre Dame in Wilton, and she handed in her car keys.
Adria enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with old friends. New foods, new friends, and more opportunities for prayer helped to ease the transition. Frequent visits from her many nieces and nephews were a joy. She continued her custom of phone calls to each family member for a birthday or anniversary. Sadly, her sister Therese was confined to a nursing home in Florida. Walking or sitting while praying her rosary was a highlight of each day. Her goal was three miles and seven or eight rosaries. The next move was with the whole community when they moved to Watermark, now Senior Living Hospitality. There, she charmed staff and residents and entertained a variety of dinner companions.
On January 17, 2026, Adria released her spirit into God’s hands. She had made it clear that her funeral would be quite simple. The Mass of Resurrection, held at St. Andrew Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, led by Fr. John Mulreany S.J., was the center of the final celebration of her life. Sister Nancy Gilchriest, Provincial, and Sister Mary Roy Weiss, Councilor, led the entrance procession while carrying lighted candles. Her many nieces and nephews participated, speaking lovingly of their aunt, reading, and offering gifts of bread and wine. Sister Peg Regan gave some insights into Adria’s life, and Sister Charmaine Krohe read from You Are Sent. The organist, David Harris, had evidently listened carefully to all that was said about Adria. Thus, after the recessional hymn, strains of “I Did It My Way” filled the church. Because of the frigid weather, Adria’s cremains will be buried at St. Mary’s, Bethel at a later date.
By Cathy Feeney, SSND
