SINSINAWA — Sr. Mary Louis “Louie” Russley, OP, died Sept. 16, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Manor, Footville, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Sept. 22, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Mary Louis made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 23, 1962, and her perpetual profession Aug. 23, 1967. She taught science for 16 years in high school and college and was director of the Dominican Education Center, Sinsinawa, for five years. Sister Mary Louis served as pastoral associate for one year and entered Loyola University Chicago School of Law, graduating in 1987. She ministered in law for the next 18 years, helping people make positive changes in their lives. Sister Mary Louis possessed a wonderful combination of dedication to the youth she represented; a belief in the legal process she creatively maneuvered; a commitment to community; and, amidst it all, a sense of humor. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Mary Louis taught at Edgewood College, Madison, 1964-1978, and served as director at Dominican Education Center, Sinsinawa, 1975-1980.
Sister Mary Louis was born Jan. 21, 1935, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Moore) Russley. Her parents and a sister, Marilyn Russley, preceded her in death. She is survived by cousins and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 60 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.
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Mary Louis are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.