Sister Mary Howley, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York, died on October 27, 2014 in Siena Hall, Sparkill, NY. Born in New York on September 9, 1937, Mary was the daughter of Michael and Catherine Gallagher Howley. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1956 and received the name Sister Michael Catherine. She professed her first vows in 1958 and her final vows in 1963.
Sister earned a B.S. in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, NY and a MS in Business Education, Hunter College, NY.
During her professional life, Sister Mary ministered in the Archdiocese of New York and the dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. She taught at St. Agnes School, Sparkill, NY (1959-60); St. Joseph School, Bronx, NY (1960-61); Mary Queen of Heaven School, Brooklyn, NY (1961-70); St. Helena Commercial HS (1970-79); and St. Francis Prep, Brooklyn, NY (1979-87). From 1987–1991 she was Program Coordinator for the Human Development Office in Rockville Centre. Sister Mary gave clerical assistance in Dominican Convent and was receptionist at Thorpe Senior Center and Dowling Gardens, Sparkill, NY. In 2012 Sister Mary became a resident of Siena Hall and was a delightful presence to all.
Sister Mary is survived by her sister-in-law Mary Ann Howley of Moneta, VA and her nephews James Howley (Leah) of Vacaville, CA, Brian Howley (Sybil) of White Plains, NY and Sean Howley (Erica) of Purcellville, VA. She was the proud great-aunt of Thomas, Adrian, Christopher, Colin, Will, Michael, Daniel, and Liam. Sister Mary was close to her many cousins from NY, NJ and Ireland.
We will remember Sister Mary for her goodness and her kindness to all. As a teacher she touched the lives of many and brought the message of God’s love to those she met. She was able to overcome many difficulties in life and did so in a positive and quiet way. Sister Mary enjoyed a good time and loved being with family and friends. She was faithful to her call as a Dominican Sister for fifty-eight years. We have been blessed by her presence among us and we now commend her to the God she loved. May she be at peace among the company of the saints in heaven.