Dooley, Sister Mary Sheila (Agnes Josephine) 1916-2001

DOOLEY, MCKENZIE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 8/9/2018 at 13:34:38

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Dec. 17, 2001

SR. MARY DOOLEY

Sister Mary Sheila Dooley, OS, died Friday, Dec. 14, at the Alverno Health Care Facility in Clinton.

The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated Monday at The Canticle in Clinton, with the Msgr. Michael J. Morrissey, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Davenport, officiating. Burial was at St. Irenaeus Cemetery, Clinton, with the Lemke Funeral Home of Clinton in charge of arrangements.

She was born Nov. 16, 1916, in Cumming to George J. and Goldie Mae McKenzie Dooley. She was baptized Agnes Josephine Dec. 8, 1916, at St. Patrick Church in Cumming.

She attended Madison County Rural Elementary School and graduated from St. Joseph High School in Churchville in 1934. She attended Simpson College and taught rural school for two years.

She entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis at Mount St. Clare Convent in Clinton in 1936 and received the name Mary Sheila at her reception April 6, 1937. She made her first professional June 19, 1939, and her final profession June 9, 1943. She received her A.A. degree from Mount St. Clare College and attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport.

Sister Mary Sheila's active ministry included both teaching and hospital work. She taught upper grades at Victor, Vail and Fonda, as well as in Chicago and Oak Lawn, Ill., Marysville, Ky., and Chino, Calif.

She served for 24 years in the diet kitchens and also assisted in the admitting offices at Mercy Hospital, Burlington; Burlington Medical Center; and St. Francis Hospital, Grinnell.

Returning to Clinton in 1981, she served at Mount St. Clare College as a housemother and as an administrative assistant in the registrar's office. For several years, she published the Mount St. Clare Convent Sunday bulletin.

She retired in 1986 and moved to the Alverno Health Care Facility in 1996.

Surviving are one brother, Clarence, and two sisters, Mabel and Mary Catherine, all of the Des Moines area. She was preceded in death by three brothers, George, John and Francis.