SINSINAWA — Sr. Loretta McIlvenna, OP, died June 4, 2021, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green. Her religious name was Sr. Marie Simeon. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, June 9, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Loretta made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Feb. 4, 1948, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1951. She taught for 23 years and was principal for 27 years. Sister Loretta served as a religious education consultant for three years, manager at the Dominican motherhouse for five years and volunteered for 11 years in parish ministry. She offered a lifetime of dedicated service to the people of God and was a faithful friend. She served in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Loretta served as manager at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 1988-1993, and volunteered at St. Patrick Parish, Benton, 2006-2017.
Sister Loretta was born April 5, 1927, in Beresford, S.D., the daughter of John and Theresa (Maher) McIlvenna. Her parents; three sisters, Margaret Jones, Mary Joan Jenkins, and Carmel Gaspar; and three brothers, Jospeh McIlvenna, Patrick McIlvenna, and Jack McIlvenna, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces, nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 73 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 Loretta are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.