Sister Mary Ellen McDonald OP entered eternal life on March 5, 2022 at the age of 81 years after 60 years of religious life.
We commend Sister Mary Ellen to your prayers.
Evening Prayer with Remembering Service
Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00 pm
Chapel of the Word/Marywood
Funeral Mass:
Thursday, March 10 at 10:00 am
Chapel of the Word/Marywood
“Simply do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” ~ Micah 6:8
The oldest of seven children, Mary Ellen was born on January 22, 1941, and grew up on a farm in Alto, Michigan. Her early years of education were in a one-room schoolhouse in Harris Creek, a mile from her home. Secondary education was at Caledonia Public School. Her parents encouraged their children to go to college, and Mary Ellen chose Aquinas College at her mother’s suggestion. There she learned about the Dominican Order and its charism. The thought of being a Sister occurred to her in her sophomore year, and after some resistance to the idea, she entered the congregation in 1961, her senior year, graduating with a BA in sociology and a secondary teaching certificate. She half hoped that she would be sent home to pursue her earlier goal to get married. Such did not happen, and she soon felt she wanted to stay, eventually experiencing a strong call from God to live her Dominican life to the full.