Sister Mary Kevin Ryan (Sarah), Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, died on Friday November 19 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was 90 years of age.
She was born in Gary, IN to William Thomas and Sarah Ann (Cross) who preceded her in death along with her siblings Bernard Ryan, Mary Margaret Smith and Betty Honkoski. Sister is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Sister Mary Kevin entered the Poor Handmaid Community on December 7, 1949 and professed her vows on June 25, 1952.
Sister Mary Kevin graduated from Alverno College in Milwaukee WI. She was an educator from 1952-1966 and served at St. Augustine Chicago IL; St. Monica Mishawaka IN; St. Henry Chicago IL; and Angel Guardian Orphanage Chicago IL. She then moved into the clerical ministry at St. John Belleville IL; St. Mary Mercy Hospital Gary IN and at several hospitals in the Chicago IL archdiocese. She loved music. She was a member of the choir at St. Bartholomew Parish and taught guitar at Our Lady of Victory, St. Bartholomew and St Mathias Parishes in Chicago from 1979 until 2018.
She officially retired to Catherine Kasper Home in 2018 at The Center in Donaldson, IN.
Welcoming of Sr. Mary Kevin to the Ancilla Domini Chapel will be held on Monday November 29 at 9:00 a.m. followed by visitation, storytelling at 10:00 a.m. and private viewing by family at 10:30 a.m. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. (EST). Burial will be in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Donaldson.
All are invited to stay for lunch after the Mass. For those that are unable to attend in person, the Mass of Resurrection will be livestreamed at www.poorhandmaids.org/live.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.
Mary Kevin Holdeman says
My namesake became a nun the year I was born. I have countless memories of being with her throughout my life. In the past ten years, as I’ve been living in Oregon, our favorite thing was the weekly hour-long phone call we shared during my commute home after work. She told me so many stories, and listened to all my challenges and concerns. I’ll miss her terribly. And am so proud to bear her name.
Mary Kevin Smith Holdeman
Nora Kasprzycki says
A job well done Dear Aunt Sr. Kevin. We will miss your stories, friendship and loving personality. Take our love and hugs to all our family who went before you. ❤️
Teresa says
Sr. Mary, how sweet you were to everyone around you, always worring about them and not you….I will always cherish your laugh and kind ❤ heart…much love till we met again