Sister Irene Danaher (Sister Mary Arthur),101, a Sister of Mercy for 81 years, died peacefully on Dec. 1, 2015 at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. A native of Waterbury, Sister was born November 26, 1914, the youngest of three children, to Francis and Mary Agnes (Doyle) Danaher. Sister entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1934 and professed her vows in 1937. She earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Joseph College, now University of St. Joseph, in West Hartford and studied art at Columbia University. For 45 years Sister taught primary grades in Catholic schools including St. Joseph, Meriden, St. Joseph Cathedral, Hartford, St. Patrick, Thompsonville and St. Francis, Torrington. In 1970 Sister began teaching in the School for Young Children, a training school for St. Joseph College student teachers. She later served as principal and Assistant Director at the school and then became Coordinator of Child Care until her "retirement" in 1991. A lover of plants and flowers and with an artist's touch for floral arranging, Sister continued ministering at USJ as Coordinator of Campus Beautification. A perennial garden was planted on the campus in her honor. Throughout her days at Mercyknoll and St. Mary Home in West Hartford, Sister Irene modeled a graceful retirement, filling her days with a balance of prayer and ministry to those around her. Gratitude, acceptance, and a mystic's understanding and love of God were her trademarks. Sister is predeceased by two brothers, Philip and Frank, and is survived by her faithful niece and nephew-in-law, Irene and John Corrigan of Jacksonville, Florida, 2 grandnephews, one great-grandnephew, and her sisters in the Mercy community. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at St. Mary Home Chapel, 2021 Albany Ave. West Hartford CT. Calling hours will precede the funeral from 3:00PM to 5:00 PM in the chapel. Burial will take place in St. Mary Cemetery on Thursday at 9:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Sister Irene's memory are asked to consider the Sisters of Mercy, 55 East Cedar St., Newington, 06111. To share a memory with the family please visit www.dillonbaxter.com.