Mary Emma Boylan was born October 18, 1924 at Staten Island, New York, the oldest of five children born to Charles Edward and Frances (Kanzler) Boylan. After attending Sacred Heart Grade School and St. Peter’s High School on Staten Island, she did clerical and secretarial work for about 10 years before entering at Clyde on March 25, 1953. First profession of vows was February 11, 1954, and final profession March 12, 1959.

Sr. M. Corona served the community in our Clyde, Mundelein, Kansas City and St. Louis monasteries, primarily in the area of finances as the local house bookkeeper. Sister also served as Treasurer General of the congregation from March 1968 to August 1974, then as prioress at our Mundelein monastery from 1974-1977. She had the opportunity to study Canon Law for two semesters at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Canada, receiving her Licentiate in December 1979, bearing the distinction of being the only "canon lawyer" in our community. She had the joy of being director for the Benedictine oblates associated with our Clyde monastery for three years, and was Oblate director in St. Louis until the time of her death. She was also serving as a member of the local monastery council in St. Louis.

Sr. M. Corona’s business-like efficiency and dependability will always be remembered. Her fidelity to duty was outstanding, and she had a strong will to serve, that far exceeded the limits of her physical strength, as was apparent in these last months. For recreation Corona was frequently part of a group playing cards in the community room. She also enjoyed picture puzzles, and one could often see her finding relaxation in this way.

In a message that Corona wrote to Ramona and the community on "Rejoice Sunday" during Lent, she expressed her gratitude for prayers and support, acknowledging that her Lenten practice was cut out for her this Lent, that of carrying the cross of terminal cancer, awaiting the day of her glorious resurrection. "In the meantime" she wrote, "I continue to enjoy each day as it presents itself, making my own the words of St. Paul to the Philippians: "Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ has made it His own...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on to the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus."

As was her pattern all through life, Sr. M. Corona put forth her best efforts during her last months to "keep going" and to continue with her bookkeeping duties as long as possible, until Sr. M. Hildegard came to relieve her of this responsibility. She wanted to continue to serve as Oblate director, literally "until the end" having her last meeting with them on June 18. Just the day before she had a weak spell in chapel and was taken out in a wheelchair, but her undaunted determination enabled her to hold the Oblate meeting the next day.

After our morning Eucharist on June 22 she received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick in her room in St. Benedict Health Care Center. Many community members were present for this liturgy, also one of her sisters and a brother-in-law. The previous week she had enjoyed a visit with another sister, a niece and family members. After she was anointed Sr. M. Corona expressed gratitude and asked all to join her in praying that her death would come quietly and quickly. 

By late afternoon of June 27 it was apparent that the end of her life was very near. Sr. Ramona read some psalms, and then together we prayed the prayers for the dying. At one point Sr. Corona tried to ask what day it was. When told it was June 27, she seemed to respond, "I have to wait." When we asked her if it was going to be on the 28th she nodded her head. Her final breath came at 4:15 AM on Tuesday, June 28, 1994 with Srs. Lupita and Audrey at her bedside. 

The Funeral liturgy for Sr. M. Corona was celebrated in our St. Louis Monastery chapel on Thursday, June 30, with burial at Mt. Calvary cemetery in Clyde the following day. May she rest in peace! And may she intercede for all of us as we continue "to press on to the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus!"