Dominican Sister of Peace Mary Esther Owens, OP, (98), a native of Charleston, MA, died December 4, 2022, at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, KY.
Sr. Mary Esther was born Mary Margaret to Margaret T. Ahern and William Owens on September 9, 1924. She worked for a few years before entering the Congregation in 1944. She made final profession in 1946 and celebrated her 75th Jubilee in 2021.
Sr. Mary Esther earned her Bachelor of Arts in English/History/French/Math from Manhattan College in New York, and her Master of Arts in Theology from Providence College. A true Dominican in her love of study, Sr. Mary Esther also worked toward a degree in Applied Theology from Berkeley and took courses in Formation, Community Development, and Spiritual Direction at various institutes.
She spent nearly two decades as a teacher and administrator in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois before being called by the Congregation to serve as Director of Junior Sisters at the St. Catharine Motherhouse and College. She later served her Community by ministering as Eastern Regional Coordinator and, later, as Coordinator of Rosary Manor.
Her deep knowledge and empathy made her suited for many ministries, but education was a favorite. She taught at St. Catharine College, Our Lady of the Rosary in California, and served as Director of Admissions at the School of Applied Theology in Albany, California. She was also an active volunteer at McLean Hospital and Seton Manor in Watertown before she entered a ministry of prayer and presence at the Sansbury Care Center in 2014.
Sr. Kay Mahady spoke with admiration for Sr. Mary Esther’s service to the Church but remembered her more personally during her reflection at her funeral. “Mary’s uniqueness was best expressed in her kindness, wit, and respect for others…in her deep sense of fun… enjoyment in playing piano and singing Irish songs, and yes, in the joy of dance… in stepping out onto the dance floor whenever an occasion appropriately presented itself.”
Sr. Mary Esther is survived by several cousins and members of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Sr. Mary Esther was remembered at her visitation on December 21. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 23. Both events were held at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel. Sr. Mary Esther was interred at the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery.
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Memorial gifts in Sr. Mary Esther Owens’ memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.
