†Sister Nancy Malburg, OP

“There has been richness and challenges in all my religious life experiences. Each new course of study, mission assignment, and living group has added something to the mosaic still in progress.”

Sister Nancy Malburg wrote these words at the time of her Silver Jubilee in 1983—and in the years that followed, many new pieces were added to that mosaic.

Nancy was born on March 8, 1939, in Hart, Michigan, the first of seven children of Raymond and Josephine (Bellgraph) Malburg. She grew up on a farm, where her early life was shaped by hard work, poverty, deep faith, and strong family bonds. She attended a one-room country school and CCD classes until entering St. Gregory’s Parish School in the seventh grade. From as early as third grade, she felt called to religious life. With a cousin already a Dominican (Sr. Jean Marie Birkman) she chose to attend Marywood as an aspirant for high school, experiencing both separation from her family and the challenges of a larger school. During these years, she held a variety of summer jobs, including farm work, soda fountain clerk, general store clerk, and work in a canning factory.

In September 1957, Nancy entered as a postulant and received the name Sister Marie Paul when she became a novice. She prepared for a teaching career in chemistry and earned her B.S. from Aquinas College in 1962. While teaching during the academic year, she obtained a National Science Foundation Grant for graduate studies in chemistry at Notre Dame University and completed a master’s degree there in 1970.

Sister Nancy began her teaching career at Marywood Academy High School and later taught at St. Mary’s in Saginaw. After these two quite different assignments, she accepted an even greater challenge at the remote Beaver Island Community School, where she also served as principal for three years.

In 1975, Sister Nancy received an unexpected call inviting her to serve as Director of Personnel Services for the congregation. Though both honored and apprehensive, she accepted the role and served for five years. Working closely with the Vicaress, Sister Phyllis Ohren, she assisted members in discerning their ministries in light of the General Chapter’s vision, including the implementation of collegiality and subsidiarity as called for by the reforms of Vatican Council II.

After five years in this role, Sister Nancy moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she worked in the Diocesan Department of Education, specializing in personnel development programming. During this time, she completed a Master of Management degree from Aquinas College through independent study. These years also brought personal challenges as she accompanied both of her parents through illness and death.

In 1986, Sister Nancy returned to Marywood as Facility Administrator, taking on a significant leadership role within the community. She brought remarkable energy, strong project management skills, professionalism, and a deep sense of responsibility to this ministry. She supervised maintenance, grounds, and household staff; collaborated with architects and contractors; and oversaw the complex daily operations of a campus serving residential, healthcare, and administrative needs. During her seven years in this role, she guided the campus through leadership transitions, minor renovations, and the development and implementation of a comprehensive master plan for campus-wide renovation.

After years of being, in her words, like Martha “busy about many things,” Sister Nancy welcomed a sabbatical in 1993. This period offered her time for rest, reflection, and integration after demanding years of service.

Following her sabbatical, Sister Nancy joined St. John Vianney Parish in Wyoming, Michigan, serving as Business and Facilities Manager for six years, followed by four years as parish administrator. After a decade there, she became Pastoral Associate at St. Ann/St. Ignatius Parish in Baldwin, Michigan. She later served for five years in Bridger, Montana, as Pastoral Administrator and Parish Life Coordinator.

Eventually, Sister Nancy returned home to Marywood, where she contributed to the Dominican Center Bookstore and to a small business initiative—a bakery known as Peace of Cake. In her later ministry, her administrative gifts and compassionate heart came together in her work with the Special Doll Project for Bethany Christian Services. Deeply moved by the suffering of children separated from their families due to immigration and asylum issues, domestic conflict, and violence, she collaborated with others to oversee the creation of hundreds of handmade dolls. Begun with the help of occupational therapist Monica Anderson and supported by many sisters at Aquinata Hall and Marywood, the project produced dolls representing diverse skin tones, hair textures, and clothing styles—each with arms outstretched for a comforting hug. Every doll includes a tag naming the Sister who made it and assuring the child of her prayers.

The rich mosaic of her life is finished. Faithful servant, gentle woman, may Sister Nancy be embraced now by the outstretched arms of her loving Savior.

Sister Nancy is survived by sisters Louise (Louis) Kludy and Mary Ann Marsh; brothers Ralph, Duane (Donna), and Dan Malburg; sister-in-law, Rosemary Malburg; other family and friends; and members of her Dominican Community.