In Memoriam


Sister Sean Morley, OP

(1933-2019)

Patrick Joseph Morley and Mary Catherine Finnegan shared a common heritage as immigrants from County Mayo, Ireland, when they met and fell in love in their adopted hometown of Chicago. Their marriage in 1926 would lead to four children: Frank, John, Eileen, and Rita Jean, who would become Sister Sean Morley.

Rita Jean, the youngest of the Morley siblings, was born May 25, 1933. Patrick worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and Mary Catherine oversaw home and family until tragedy struck: Patrick died when Rita Jean was just ten years old, and Mary Catherine provided for herself and her children by going to work as a clerk at the Adler Planetarium.

Still, “my mother continued the spirit of our home with the importance of God in our life, and so our home was filled with laughter and we were very happy,” Sister Sean said in her autobiography. She remained very close with her mother until Mary Catherine died, like her husband at a relatively young age, in 1954.

The family lived in St. Laurence Parish and the children attended the parish school. Rita Jean went on to Loretto Academy for two years and then to Aquinas High School, where she was educated by Adrian Dominicans. Her sister, Eileen, fifteen months her senior, wanted to join the Congregation directly after eighth grade; their mother refused permission at that time but Eileen did enter after her second year of high school, becoming Sister Patrick Mary.

Read more about Sister Sean (pdf) 

make a memorial giftMemorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. 




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Showing 4 Comments
Avatar  Linda Z Condon 6 years agoReply

My deepest sympathy to Sister Sean’s family & community. I was saddened to hear of her death. She left her mark on St. Cajetan’s School and the neighborhood surrounding it. What a blessing to have known her!

Avatar  KathleenMcEldowney 6 years agoReply

Peace be with you, Sister Sean and thanks for the many great years you devoted to St. Cajetan’s..

Avatar  Marianne Coakley last monthReply

Sister Sean hired me in 1983 and I was her secretary until she retired from St. Cajetan. Loved working for her and we became good friends. Kept up with her when she left Caj. She was heart sick when Sr. Eileen died. Always sang the praises of housing in Adrian. Lucky me; next principal at Caj was a great gal; once again a great friendship with Renee Payne at the helm for 21 years. Unfortunately she was very unfairly treated by the pastor.

Avatar  Ann Celine Wydeven 6 years agoReply

A bit of Chicago passes on. When ever we met that connection resonated Go in Peace and sing those wonderful Irish songs



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