SINSINAWA, Wisconsin — Sister Mary Lois Carey, O.P., entered eternal life on  March 19, 2024, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Her religious name was Sister Thomaselle. 

Sister Mary Lois was born July 2, 1931, in Wausau, Wisconsin, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mahon) Carey. She made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa August 5, 1951, and her perpetual profession August 5, 1954. She received a BA in history from Rosary College, River Forest, Ill.; an MA in education and elementary administration from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa; and an MA in applied theology from the School of Applied Theology, Berkley, Calif.

Sister Mary Lois’ ministry was dedicated to education and spiritual care. In Illinois, she was a teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School and St. Sabina School, both Chicago. She was principal at Visitation School, Kewanee, and St. Thomas School, Peoria Heights. She also served as principal at Our Lady of Refuge School in the Bronx. In Iowa, she taught at St. Joseph the Worker School, Dubuque. In Wisconsin, she taught at Queen of Peace School, Madison. In Oakland, Calif., she taught at Bishop O’Dowd High School, was administrator and spiritual director at Spiritual Growth Center and served as support staff at the School of Applied Theology. Sister Mary Lois was also a volunteer at the Dominican Ashram, Adrian, Mich., and assistant to the prioress at the Dominican Center, Spokane, Washington.     

Her parents; two sisters, Joyce Simon and Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Cecilia Carey, OP; and two brothers, Robert Carey and John Carey, preceded her in death. She is survived by a brother, Mark Carey, and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 72 years of religious life

Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online.

Arrangements are being handled by Miller Funeral Home, East Dubuque, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial:
Tuesday, March 26, 1:30 p.m.

St. Dominic Villa Chapel
2375 Sinsinawa Road
Hazel Green, WI 53811
(608) 748-9814

Interment:

St. Clara Cemetery, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.