“I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10
This was Sr. Mary’s favorite Scripture—a guiding light in her lifelong mission of educating and empowering young women. Her life became a living witness to this Gospel message, poured out in service, compassion, and unwavering dedication.
With deep sorrow, the Emusoi Centre mourns the passing of our beloved Founder and Director, Sr. Mary Vertucci, MM, on April 30, 2026, in Maryknoll, New York.
A Maryknoll Sister, educator, and mentor, Sr. Mary devoted 55 years as a missionary in Tanzania. In 1999, she helped found Emusoi Centre— “A Place of Discovery and Awareness” in Maa, the language of the Maasai people. What began as a vision became a transformative home for learning, especially for girls from pastoralist and hunter-gatherer communities.
For 27 years, Sr. Mary worked tirelessly to educate and empower young Maasai, Hadzabe, Taturo, Ndorobo, Tatoga, and Barbaig girls. Through her vision, her deep sense of justice, and her genuine love for each young woman, she opened doors of opportunity and changed countless lives.
Sr. Mary once shared her hope:
“We hope that Emusoi Centre will be a place where young Maasai women can come, discover their own worth, and become aware of the value of education—not only for themselves, but for their communities and for the whole country of Tanzania.”
Today, that hope continues to live and grow.
Even in our grief, we hold on to this promise: the mission she began will continue. Emusoi Centre remains steadfast in its commitment to be a safe, nurturing, and empowering home for every girl who walks through its doors. With a dedicated team and a renewed vision for sustainability, we will carry forward Sr. Mary’s legacy—faithfully and courageously.
Her spirit lives on in every life she touched, in every young woman who finds her voice, and in every dream made possible because she believed.
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In Their Own Words: Emusoi Graduates Remember Sr. Mary
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Voices from our Partners: Celebrating Sr. Mary’s Lifelong Impact