Dominican Sister of Peace Regina (Edward Mary) McCarthy, OP (86), a native of Greeley, NE, died on February 26, 2023, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, KY.
Sr. Regina was born August 26, 1936, to Agnes Smyth and Edward McCarthy. At the young age of 18, she wanted to give her life “wholly to God,” and she entered the Congregation in 1954, made first profession in 1956, and took her final vows in 1959. She preached with her actions of love and generosity as a Dominican Sister for sixty-seven years.
Sr. Regina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and English from Siena College, her Master of Arts in Spanish from the University of Nebraska, and her Master of Theological Studies in Theology from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio.
Her ministries in academic and religious education took her to schools in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Nebraska, but she had a special love for her ministry to the Hispanic community in Grand Island. She served both in the Grand Island Diocese and St. Mary Cathedral Church and made many friends in her 14 years in the area.
Sister Regina served for a number of years in congregational leadership, where she brought wisdom and humor to the many decisions facing the congregation during those years. Dominican Sister of Peace Joan Scanlon, who served with Regina on the Congregational leadership team, noted: “Regina generously contributed to the common good by volunteering to move and live in a formation community during her term.”
Sr. Joan also gave a reflection at Sr. Regina’s funeral, remembering that “all of these communities, family, Nebraska, the Dominican community, the migrant worker community, (where) she reflected the love of God.”
Sr. Regina taught Spanish at the Congregation’s Saint Catharine College before entering her final ministry of prayer and presence at the Congregation’s Sansbury Care Center – a ministry of generosity, of love, and of fun with her beloved Community,
Sr. Regina is survived by her brothers Tom and Pat, several nieces and nephews and members of her congregation.
A visitation was held on March 6 at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 7. Sr. Regina was interred at the St. Catharine Motherhouse Cemetery.
To donate in Sr. Regina’s memory, please click here.
To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Marie Melnick’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.