SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sister Mary Lois Carey, OP, died March 19, 2024, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Thomaselle. The funeral Mass was held at the Villa March 26, followed by burial in St. Clara Cemetery, Sinsinawa, Wis.
Sister Mary Lois made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1951, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1954. She received a BA in history from Rosary College, River Forest, Ill.; an MA in education and elementary administration from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa; and an MA in applied theology from the School of Applied Theology, Berkley, Calif.
Sister Mary Lois’ ministry was dedicated to education and spiritual care. In Illinois, she was a teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School and St. Sabina School, both Chicago. She was principal at Visitation School, Kewanee, and St. Thomas School, Peoria Heights. She also served as principal at Our Lady of Refuge School, Bronx, N.Y. In Iowa, she taught at St. Joseph the Worker School, Dubuque. In Wisconsin, she taught at Queen of Peace School, Madison. In Oakland, Calif., she taught at Bishop O’Dowd High School, was administrator and spiritual director at Spiritual Growth Center and served as support staff at the School of Applied Theology. Sister Mary Lois was also a volunteer at the Dominican Ashram, Adrian, Mich., and assistant to the prioress at the Dominican Center, Spokane, Wash.
Sister Mary Lois was born July 2, 1931, in Wausau, Wis., the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mahon) Carey. Her parents; two sisters, Joyce Simon and Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Cecilia Carey, OP; and two brothers, Robert Carey and John Carey, preceded her in death. She is survived by a brother, Mark Carey, and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 72 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.