Sr. Maurita Mcneeley

Hospitalized for more than two weeks in critical condition, Sister Maurita was determined to get home to her sisters and friends at Regina Health Center, especially to her life-long friend Sister Margaret Whittaker. With her customary grit, determination and good humor she made it home Saturday afternoon. On Sunday Sister Maurita died peacefully at the Richfield facility, surrounded by a nephew, Sister Margaret, other Ursuline sisters and friends. She was 87. The veteran teacher had been a resident at Regina since April 2013.

Grace Eileen McNeeley was born January 16, 1927, one of five children born to Anthony and Margaret (O’Malley) McNeeley. The Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart graduate entered the Ursuline congregation from Christ the King Parish September 8, 1945, and professed final vows in August 1951.

Sister Maurita, like many of her contemporaries, earned her undergraduate degree attending Saturday classes at St. John College, while also engaging in full-time teaching during the week.

Her 43-year education career included tenures at St. Mary (Collinwood), St. Catharine (Cleveland), St. William (Euclid), St. Mary Magdalene (Willowick), Immaculate Conception (Willoughby), St. Therese (Garfield Heights) and St. Mary (Mentor) schools. In 1990 she retired from teaching and for 12 years assisted in the office of the motherhouse treasurer. Since 2003 she was engaged in the ministry of prayer and service and in the life of the community.

With the closing of their Saint Angela Center residence in 2012, Sister Maurita accompanied Sister Margaret to Regina Health Center. In her time at Regina she engaged readily in all of the activities and endeared herself to sisters and staff alike with her kindness, quick wit and ready laugh.

Sister Maurita will be remembered for her friendliness, her zest for living and her ever-youthful spirit. She was a faith-filled woman, a committed religious, a dedicated teacher and colleague, a loyal friend, and loving aunt.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Ursuline Sisters.

Funeral Services for Sister Maurita
Wake:3:00 PM, Thursday, October 2
Ursuline Motherhouse,2600 Lander Road, Pepper Pike
Funeral Mass:7:00 PM Thursday
Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity (Motherhouse)
Burial Service:9:30 AM Friday, October 3
Interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon