Remembering Sister Mary Melady, OSB
- Benedictine Sisters of Chicago
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Our dear Sr. Mary Melady died peacefully the morning of Holy Thursday. She celebrated the Lord's supper in the company of Jesus, the communion of saints, and the Sisters who have gone before her.
Please join us in thanking God for her remarkable life!
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Sr. Mary Melady, O.S.B. died on April 17, 2025 at St. Joseph Court, the infirmary of St. Scholastica Monastery. She was a vowed member of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago for sixty years and is survived by her Benedictine sisters, brother Patrick, sister-in-law Alice, two nieces and a nephew, and several beloved great-nieces and nephews.
Born in Evanston, IL, on November 1, 1945, Mary was the youngest of Gerald and Elizabeth O’Donell Melady’s four children, and the only daughter. After graduating from St. Ignatius Elementary School and St. St Scholastica High School, Mary entered the Benedictine community on September 12, 1963. She received the name Sr. Mary Gerald but resumed use of her baptismal name in the late 1960’s.
After her initial formation, Sr. Mary began studies at Mundelein College. She was then sent to teach at St. George and Queen of All Saints Elementary Schools, eventually completing her bachelor’s degree at Mundelein in 1970. For two years she taught and was a dormitory prefect at St. Scholastica Academy in Cañon City, CO. Returning to Chicago for her final profession, Sr. Mary commenced on several happy years as an eighth-grade teacher at St. Joseph Elementary School near Cabrini-Green. In the mid-70’s, she received her credentials for teaching English as a Second Language and served in that capacity at St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago.
In 1981 Sr. Mary began studies at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership (ISL) in Hyde Park. After completely the program (and one year of service in the monastery infirmary), she joined the staff at ISL, first as an administrative assistant, then an instructor, and eventually co-director. She spent almost two decades there. Concurrently she earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN.
When she took on the responsibility of directing the community’s initial formation program in 1999, she returned to teaching E.S.L., first part-time at Oakton Community College, and then full-time at Taft High School. She also continued using the skills she had honed at ISL as a spiritual director and supervisor. She maintained that ministry after retiring from teaching. She also volunteered in various capacities at Holy Spirit Life Learning Center.
A faithful member of her religious community, Sr. Mary’s many gifts benefitted her sisters in multiple ways. She was appointed subprioress in 2015 and continued in that role until the summer of 2023. In addition to initial formation, she lent her skills to the Personnel Board, Ongoing Formation Committee, and several other ad hoc groups.
Given her love of music, it is no surprise that several choirs, including the North Shore Choral Society and the Sounds Good Choir, were enriched by her strong singing voice. As recently as early April, Sr. Mary was able to sing the Suscipe (“Receive me, O Lord, according to your word, and I shall live/And do not fail me in my hope”) with her sisters as she received the Anointing of the Sick. Sr. Mary often organized game nights for other sisters where her infectious sense of fun shone through. An avid reader, she particularly enjoyed mysteries.
Though Sr. Mary possessed many exemplary qualities, her joy and kindness will be especially missed.
Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. Scholastica Monastery, 7430 N Ridge Blvd, Chicago, IL on Monday, May 19th at 10:30am, with visitation beginning at 9:30am. Internment immediately following at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL.
To attend Mass in person, please RSVP to Subprioress Sr. Susan Quaintance at subprioress@osbchicago.org or 773-764-2413 x231.
To attend via Zoom, please email Communications Coordinator, Susan Clark at sclark@osbchicago.org.
