Sister Marjaleen Kelley (Kathleen Kelley) PHJC died on March 9, 2017 at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana.
“If I could, I would,” was Sister Marjaleen’s motto. “I can’t just be a nun – I must be a GOOD nun and a GOOD teacher.” Choosing to be a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ enabled her to give the love of Christ to many students during her 60 years as a teacher. “I was able to reach children in a way that taught both of us how to be closest to God.”
Sister Marjaleen ministered as teacher and organist in Chicago and Belleville, Illinois; Gary and Lake Station, Indiana. She served as an elementary school principal in Fort Wayne, Hammond, and Gary, Indiana. From 2005 to 2011 she served as a hostess/volunteer at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Indiana. Sister Marjaleen officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2011.
Sister Marjaleen was born in Gary, Indiana on September 27, 1927 to James and Margaret (Mock) Kelley who preceded her in death with siblings James Kelley, Mary Isabelle Glenn, Margaret Lawrence, John Kelley, Dorothy Krasne, Evelyn Kelley, Eleanore Radigan, and Robert Kelley.
Sister Marjaleen attended St. Mark Grade School and Lew Wallace High School in Gary. On September 8, 1945 she entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Congregation in Donaldson, Indiana and professed her first vows on June 26, 1948. Sister received her Bachelor of Education degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and her Masters of Education from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Sister Marjaleen is survived by many nieces and nephews including Margo Ludwig, Sister Kathleen Kelley, PHJC and her close friend Sister Celine Tomasic, PHJC.
Visitation will be held at the Ancilla Domini Chapel at The Center at Donaldson in Donaldson, Indiana on Sunday, March 12, 2017 beginning at 4:30 p.m. A Prayer Service will be held that same evening at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Ancilla Domini Chapel at The Center at Donaldson in Donaldson, Indiana on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. EDT
Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson.
Memorial contributions in memory of Sister Marjaleen may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513.
