Sister Mary Shamus Zehrer, Sister of Mercy, beloved teacher and principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School in Atlantic City, died Feb. 25. She was 90.
Sister Shamus served at the school for nearly five decades, arriving as a teacher in 1968. She became school principal in 1976 and retired in 2014.
“Sister Shamus was an incredible woman who somehow was able to make everyone feel seen,” said Kathy Morris, who teaches special education at Our Lady Star of the Sea. She was hired by Sister Shamus in 2008.
Noting the school’s multicultural makeup – including Caucasian, Vietnamese, African-American, Hispanic and Haitian students – Morris added that “everyone was loved by her. She was encouraging and respected by all.”
Pre-K teacher Mary Netherby was also hired by Sister Shamus in 2008. When she went for the job interview, she was surprised that the religious sister recognized her from her days as a student at Saint Joseph Elementary School in Keyport. Netherby was a student there in the 1960s when Sister Shamus was a teacher.
“She remembered I was shy and came from a big family,” Netherby said.
Aside from her ability to remember the names and stories of students from decades past, Sister Shamus also “made me want to be a better teacher,” Netherby said. “She always knew we were capable of more and challenged us.”
Erin Collins, from Our Lady Star of the Sea’s Class of 1999, remembered a stern but fair principal who taught her “faith, discipline and kindness – lessons I still carry today.”
“One day I’d be getting corrected for an unkept uniform, and the next we’d be [watching] the Redskins [sister’s favorite team] vs. the Eagles over soft pretzels and Lay’s potato chips.”
“She was the reason you were proud to be a STAR. She made you stand taller,” Collins said.
Ramona Bregatta, the school’s current principal, noted that while she did not know Sister Shamus personally, she continually hears from alumni about the religious sister’s impact.
“They described her as a strong, faithful and deeply committed leader who shaped not only their education, but their character,” Bregatta said, adding that the sister’s presence “is still felt in the stories shared throughout our community.
“We will continue to honor her legacy by carrying forward the mission she cared so deeply about – serving the children of our community with faith, strength and love,” Bregatta said.
Formerly known as Joan Zehrer, Sister Shamus met the Sisters of Mercy as a student in Saint James School in her hometown of Woodbridge, as well as Saint Mary High School in Perth Amboy.
After entering the Mercy Community, she earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Georgian Court College (now University) in Lakewood, and did graduate work in U.S. history at Glassboro College (now Rowan University), also earning her certifications as a teacher and administrator.
She professed her final vows in September 1954 and began her teaching ministry at schools in the Dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton. In 1964, she was assigned to teach at Holy Spirit Elementary School in Atlantic City. Four years later, she began at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Recognized as an extraordinary leader in education in the Diocese of Camden, she received the Bishop’s Medal as well as the Distinguished Principal Award for the 2008-09 school year.
In 2017, Atlantic City designated California Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Arctic Avenue, where Our Lady Star of the Sea is located, as “Sister Shamus Way.”
When she retired in 2014, on the last day of school, the Catholic Star Herald was there as alumni, some going back as far as 1964, showed up to express their appreciation.
“I just can’t even explain it. They’re all just very, very dear people,” Sister Shamus said of the outpouring. “I’m very grateful to each person I taught and worked with. I wouldn’t change a minute of it. I love each one of them.”
After retirement, she remained with the community for five years as a supportive presence at school and parish events.
Sister Shamus is predeceased by her parents and her only sister, Marion Bodnar. She is survived by her niece, Patricia Martucci (Raymond); grandnieces Christine Martucci and Bridget Rocheta (Edward); grandnephew, Joseph Martucci; and the youngest family members, Sullivan and Henry Shamus Rocheta.
A visitation will take place 9-10 a.m. on March 7 at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Mount Saint Mary Academy, 1645 U.S Highway 22, Watchung. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.
Burial will be at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield.
A Memorial Mass for Sister Shamus will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on March 28 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, the Parish of Saint Monica, 2651 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City.
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