SINSINAWA — Sr. Monice Kavanaugh, OP, died March 16, 2022, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Natural burial took place March 18 in the Motherhouse Cemetery, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, March 23.
Sister Monice made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1958, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1961. She taught for 12 years and served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as assistant novitiate mistress for one year and as a member of the Resources for Mission Team for six years. Sister Monice ministered as pastoral associate for 16 years and as director of the Permanent Deaconate Formation Program for the Archdiocese of Chicago for seven years. She served with adult education and literacy programs for 15 years. Sister Monice lived with integrity, fidelity, honesty and a certain calmness. She recognized and supported the potential of others and had a deep belief and commitment to lay leadership. She served in Wisconsin, New York and Illinois.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Monice served the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa as novice mistress at the motherhouse, 1965-1966.
Sister Monice was born May 22, 1938, in Chicago, the daughter of Michael and Genevieve (Shinnick) Kavanaugh. Her parents; a sister, Sheila Doyle; and a brother, Michael Kavanaugh, preceded her in death. She is survived by a sister, Patricia Dugan; nieces; nephews; and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 63 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 Monice are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.