Sr. OP

Conway, OP, Sister Carmella of Grand Rapids (born Rita Rose Conway in Allegan, MI) died on January 2, 2020. She was 97 years old and a Dominican Sister for 78 years. Sister Carmella earned a BA from Aquinas College; a Master's in the Art of Teaching Religion from Providence College, Rhode Island; and a Master's in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. Sister Carmella taught and was often principal in schools in New Mexico: St. Francis, Ranchos de Taos; San Juan Pueblo; Holy Cross, Santa Cruz; and Our Lady of Belen; and also in Michigan at St. Joseph, West Branch; Sacred Heart, Merrill; Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights; Marywood Academy, Catholic Central, Grand Rapids; Sacred Heart Academy, Mt. Pleasant; St. John Parish in Ubly and St. Columbkille Parish in Sheridan. Sister Carmella loved community life with its opportunities for prayer and liturgical celebrations. She sang in the Marywood choir well into her nineties and was a cheerful presence at every celebration of the Sunday Assembly. She also enjoyed throwing a party and dancing the Irish jig. Her hobbies and interests were many: music, art, needlecraft, reading, stamp-collecting, and calligraphy, which she put to frequent use. The first of the three Conway Sisters to enter the Dominican Congregation (Sister Magdalena and Sister William Mary preceded her in death), Sister Carmella was also the leader of the trio in laughter and zest for living. Their joyful demeanor and generous service was a gift beyond measure. Surely, eternity is now reverberating with their boundless energy and Irish laughter. Sister Carmella is survived by nieces, nephews, many friends and a loving community. Sister Carmella will repose at Dominican Chapel/Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, with visitation on Monday, January 6 from 6:00-7:00 pm followed by a Remembering Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 7 at 11:00 am at Dominican Chapel /Marywood. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Carmella's name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sr. Carmella Conway OP please visit our Sympathy Store.