Obituaries: October 17, 2003

Sr. Elizabeth M. Mahan, BVM
Former Butte educator Sister Elizabeth Marie Mahan, BVM, died Oct. 5, 2003, at Marian Hall, Dubuque, Iowa.

In Butte, she taught at St. Ann School for 12 years, from 1931 to 1943.

She was born Nov. 27, 1904, in Graettinger, Iowa, to Catherine Graettinger and James Mahan. She graduated from St. Mary Academy, Emmetsburg, and taught school before entering the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary congregation on Sept. 8, 1929.

As Sister Engratia, she professed first vows Aug. 15, 1931, and final vows Aug. 15, 1937.

In addition to Butte, she taught in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Hawaii, and served on the staff at the Mount Carmel motherhouse.

Her parents, her sisters Marie, Margaret, Rita, and Ann, and brothers John, James, Frank and Paul preceded her in death.

Sister Mahan is survived by a sister, Alice Munson, Algona, Iowa; nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 74 years.

The funeral liturgy was celebrated Oct. 8 in the Marian Hall Chapel. Burial was in the Mount Carmel cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Retirement Fund, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003-7991.

Sr. Mary Janet McGilley, SCL
Sister Mary Janet McGilley, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, and former president of St. Mary College (now the University of St. Mary), died Sept. 13, 2003, at St. John Hospital, Leavenworth.

Mary Marguerite McGilley was born Dec. 4, 1924, in Kansas City, Mo., to James P. and Marguerite Ryan McGilley. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier and St. Teresa’s Academy, Kansas City, Mo. She received a B.A. in English and drama from St. Mary College in 1945.

She was a social worker for the Catholic Welfare Bureau, Kansas City, Mo., before entering the novitiate Feb. 12, 1946. As Sister Mary Janet, she professed her vows Feb. 15, 1948.

Sister McGilley taught English, drama and speech at St. Mary College; Hayden High School, Topeka; and Central High School, Billings, Mont.

In 1964, she was the first woman and Sister of Charity of Leavenworth to become president of St. Mary College. She served one of the longest tenures as a college president in Kansas.

She served as professor and chairperson of the English and liberal studies departments of St. Mary’s. She was named President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor in 1989, and was listed in Who’s Who of American Women by the Marquis Publications Board.

Sister McGilley held numerous leadership positions in local, regional and national organizations, and received many awards and honors for her educational and public service work.

In 1985, she received special recognition from the Kansas State Penitentiary for leadership and support of the Department of Corrections’ education programs for inmates. In 1986 the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce presented her the first Business Woman of the Year Athena Award.

She was director of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Kansas Independent College Fund, and served on educational boards and commissions.

Sister McGilley was a published poet, writer and co-author of “From the Tower: Poems from St. Mary College,” published in 1996. She wrote short stories and contributed numerous articles to national educational and literary journals. Her doctoral dissertation, “Study of Illusion in the Faerie Queen,” was published in 1957.

At her 50th jubilee as a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, she was described as a “magnanimous person; her warmth appreciated something in everybody, a wise-wise woman, a gifted teacher of literature, a poet, a role model for young women, a friend, thinking heart.”

She received an M.A. in English literature from Boston College and a doctorate in English literature from Fordham University. She continued post graduate studies at four other universities.

Sister McGilley retired in 1999 and continued writing until her recent illness.

Survivors include her brother, James P. McGilley Jr., Kansas City, Mo.; a sister, Teresa McGilley Redlingshafer, Overland Park, Kan.; nieces, nephews and many friends, former students and faculty of University of St. Mary.

Mass of Resurrection was celebrated in Annunciation Chapel of the motherhouse on Sept. 18. Interment followed in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the motherhouse grounds.

Memorial contributions may be made to University of St. Mary, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, Kan. 66048.

Sister Diane Steele, a Butte native and current president of University of St. Mary, said the university and Leavenworth community have “lost a giant.”

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 19, No. 10, October 17, 2003.