SINSINAWA — Sister Catriona M. K. MacLeod, OP, died Dec. 19, 2020, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Teresa Avila. Natural burial took place Dec. 22 in the Motherhouse Cemetery. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Jan. 6, 2021.
Sister Catriona made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1959, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1965. She was ever on a quest to learn. In her homeland of Scotland, she proudly graduated from University of St. Andrews, the oldest university in the country, founded in 1413, with and undergrad and master’s degrees. Her numerous advanced degrees included training in philosophy, religion, and sacred scripture. Sister Catriona taught and served in administration at universities and shared her knowledge through seminars and biblical workshops across the globe. She was appointed by Pope Paul VI as a member of the ad hoc Commission on the Role of Women in Church and Society (1973–1975) and as a Consultor of the Sacred Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes (1973–1979). Sister Catriona served her Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa as assistant in the novitiate at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa (1964-1968), while also serving as assistant in the Archives preparing and organizing papers for what became the Positio for advancing the Cause of Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP. She was elected general councilor for the Congregation leadership team (1977–1982). Often referred to as a “Renaissance woman,” she was a philosopher and linguist, a biblical scholar and ecumenist who promoted Jewish-Christian dialogue. Sister Catriona served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Maryland, as well as Rome and Florence, Italy.
Sister Catriona was born June 9, 1931, in Lincoln, England, the daughter of Murdo Kennedy and Catherine (Meikle) MacLeod. Her parents preceded her in death. She is survived by a sister, Johanna Fraser; a nephew; and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 61 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Catriona are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.