Sr. Mary Catherine Gagliano, OP, formerly known as Sister Ann Virginia, died on Monday, November 27, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 85 years of age and in the 66th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Mary Catherine was born in Rockford, Illinois, to Alex and Genevieve (Christian) Gagliano. She graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School in Rockford and obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois; and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana.
Sister Mary Catherine spent almost 30 years ministering in education in Iron River and Brighton, Michigan; and Chicago, Calumet City, Elmwood Park, River Forest, River Grove and La Grange Park, Illinois, including serving as an ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor at School and Tutors on Wheels. She also assisted at the St. Germaine Parish Food Pantry in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She ministered for nine years as pastoral care/religious education coordinator in De Kalb, Illinois, and one year as a director for evangelization in Aurora, Illinois. Sister served as campus minister for three years at the College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn, and later for six years at Joliet Junior College Romeoville Campus in Romeoville, both in Illinois. She served the Congregation in vocation outreach for two years while serving the Chicago Archdiocese as a writer. She ministered for one year for the St. Germaine Food Pantry. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2020.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Bridget Dangelo. She is survived by a brother, Frank Gagliano (Mary Ann) of Rockford, and a sister, Virginia “Ginny” La Marca (Anthony) of Machesney Park, both in Illinois, other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
A Funeral Mass was offered Thursday, November 30, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan 11 years:
- St. Agnes, Iron River (1958-63): Elementary Teacher
- St. Patrick, Brighton (1974-79): Elementary Teacher
- Maria Health Care Center, Adrian (1979-80): Driver (Congregation)
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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