Dominican Sister of Peace Lin (Kevin) Howley, OP, (98) died on October 21, 2021, at the Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH.
Sister Lin was born on September 22, 1923, to Margaret Langan and Thomas Howley of Youngstown, OH . She attended both St. Dominic and Our Lady of the Elms, and, as she said, the Sisters’ “‘goodness, excitement and sense of humor” inspired her to enter the Congregation at 19 years of age in 1940, made first profession in 1942 and took final vows in 1948. Sister Lin would have celebrated 80 years of faithful service to the people of God in 2022.
Sister Lin earned her BS in Education from Saint John College. She ministered as a teacher and principal in Akron, Alliance, Barberton, Cleveland, and Mantua, explaining that “education is where my vocation lies.”
In response to the many changes that she saw in the Church and the people around her, Sr. Lin began a new ministry, dedicating herself to adult religious education and missionary work in Aspen and Glenwood Springs, CO.
When she returned to Ohio, she served as Elementary Parochial School Religion Consultant for the Youngstown diocese, DRE at St. Joseph Parish in Alliance, and in Pastoral Ministry and Grieving Ministry in Alliance and Canton.
One of Sister Lin’s most meaningful ministries was her service as the “day-to-day, onsite religious presence” and Co-Administrator at All Saints Parish. She also ministered as a receptionist and volunteer in Willowick and Leetonia before returning to the Akron Motherhouse.
Sister Lin served her Congregation as well, working committees to enrich the life of the Sisters, help draft policies, or celebrate special occasions. She also volunteered to work with the Las Casas on-site team at the White Earth Center and Hospitality House in Oklahoma.
Sr. Lin served her final ministry of prayer and presence at the Akron Motherhouse and the Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, OH.
Sister Joan Franklin, a close friend of Sr. Lin, remembered her as a wonderful friend and a woman of great humor. “She was proud of her Irish heritage, and even more proud of being a Dominican,” Sr. Joan said. “She was a gifted preacher, and we were blessed by her preaching.”
Sr. Lin was preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas, James, and Edward. She is survived by nieces, Maureen and Keith Altier, Patricia and Kerry Paulin; nephews, Thomas and Amanda Howley, Edward and Barbara Howley; and grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as the community of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
A Vigil Service was held on October 26, and the Mass of Christian Burial on October 27., both at the Our Lady of the Elms Motherhouse in Akron, OH. Sr. Lin was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.
To donate in Sr. Lin’s memory, please click here.
To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Lin Howley’s memory may be also be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.