SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sr. Loretta Finnerty, OP, died April 27, 2020, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her Religious name was Sister Mercedes. The private funeral Mass was held at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, April 29, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Loretta made her first religious profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa August 5, 1952, and her perpetual profession August 5, 1955. She taught for 19 years and served as principal for 10, in pastoral ministries for 14 years, as director of religious education for seven years. Sister Loretta served in Wisconsin, Colorado, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, and Michigan.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Loretta served as director of religious education and liturgist at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison, 1983-1985; director of religious education at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison, 1995-2000; and director of faith formation at St. James Parish (now Good Shepherd Parish), Madison, 2000-2003, where she continued to volunteer until 2010.
Sister Loretta was born April 30, 1930, in Chicago, the daughter of Michael and Mary Anne (Burns) Finnerty. Her parents; an infant brother; and a sister, Maureen Finnerty, preceded her in death. She is survived by a sister, Betty Finnerty, and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 67 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 CR Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online at www.sinsinawa.org/donate
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Loretta are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.