Sister Mary Basil Hayes, RDC, former professor and administrator at Good Counsel College and the College of White Plains died on Friday, September 22, 2000 in the Good Counsel Infirmary in White Plains. She was 98. Sister was born in New York, NY, December 11, 1901, the daughter of Patrick and Margaret Blake Hayes. She attended Good Counsel Academy Elementary and High School and received the BS degree from Good Counsel College, the MA and Ph.D. from Fordham University. Sister Mary Basil entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, August 15, 1925 and pronounced perpetual vows April 18, 1933. Her entire professional career was spent as a faculty member and administrator in higher education. She served as assistant dean, Chair of the Education Department of Good Counsel College from 1942-1972; Director of Institutional Statistics 1971-1980; and Historian of the College of White Plains of Pace University, 1980-1986. Sister Alice Feeley, President of the Sisters of the Divine Compassin said, "Sr. Mary Basil was a brilliant and faithful person whose long and distinguished professional and religious life gave outstanding support to the higher education of women". Sister Mary Basil is survived by the Sisters of her religious congregation, by her sister, Elizabeth H. Morse of Colorado, nine grandnieces and nephews and three cousins.
Visitation hours were at Good counsel Convent, 52 North Broadway, White Plains on Sunday from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday at 10 am in the Chapel of the Divine Compassion at Good Counsel. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery, White Plains, NY. The McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home in White Plains handled the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Divine Compassion Ministry Fund, 52 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603.
