SISTER OF MERCY, EDUCATOR, COMMUNITY LEADER, ADMINISTRATOR

Sister Mary Camille Kelley died at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan in the last minutes of April 18, 2021.  Her nephew Mark, his wife Connie, and dear friends Sister Mary Joel Zobro and Todd Lipa were with her.

She was born in 1931 to Frank and Eleanor (McGarity) Kelley and named Mary Anne at her baptism in St. Francis de Sales Church in Detroit.  She grew up with four brothers – Jack, Daniel, Frank, and Paul.  Completing elementary grades at Edgar A. Guest School, she became part of the first class to enter the newly-completed Our Lady of Mercy High School in Detroit.  Her carpenter father had worked on its construction and was pleased his only daughter could attend. Years later, a Mercy High publication dubbed her "The Original Mercy Girl."

Mary Anne came to know and love the Sisters of Mercy during her high school years and, when she graduated in September 1949, she joined the community.  Her novitiate years included a name change to Sister Mary Camille and prepared her for a life of ministry with the poor, sick, and uneducated.  She made perpetual vows on August 16, 1955, and chose the motto "For me to live is Christ" to be engraved in her silver ring of life-time commitment.

Sister Mary Camille's ministry in education included teaching at both elementary and secondary levels.  Michigan students in Cheboygan, Howell, Detroit, Grand Haven, Berkley, Saginaw and Muskegon came to know her not only as a classroom teacher, but as one who had a personal interest in their futures. Her leadership skills became evident during those years and she was appointed to serve as principal at her alma mater.  With a move to Farmington Hills, the high school now had a new location, a new principal, and time for new ideas.  A former faculty member recalled how Sister Mary Camille "brought renewal to the school and gave students greater freedom to be themselves."

In 1978, Sister Mary Camille was elected to serve on the Provincial Administrative Team for the Sisters of the Detroit Province, an opportunity to be of service to the religious community.

With her term of office completed, she sought new forms of service. These were varied, but each focused on direct service to the needs of the poor, sick or disadvantaged.  They included a one-year chaplaincy at Children's Hospital, eight years as an alcohol recovery therapist, and sixteen years as administrator of the Western Oakland County's senior meals service.

In 2006, deciding it was time to slow down and serve as a volunteer, she "helped out" at Mercy Education Project, the community's business office, and the C.A.R.E.S. program for the poor in the Farmington Hills area. When no longer able to be physically present, she maintained an active interest in these ministries.

Memories of Sister Mary Camille include her warm and generous spirit.  One of the Sisters commented on how she always had time for others, even when she had a busy schedule.  Several recalled how caring she was for Sister Mary Concilia Moran, our former Mother General, in her last illness.  She was a faithful participant in community meetings and could be counted on to express concerns as well as support for change.  She was a deeply spiritual person who enjoyed time alone as well as lively conversations.  She treasured her strong Irish heritage and enjoyed visiting Ireland and the Mercy International Center in Dublin.

In a biographic sketch, she once wrote her life could be described with computer icons for her desktop in six symbols --- a cross, a piece of wood, a book, a rose, a teapot, and a shamrock.

Sister Mary Camille is survived by countless Irish nephews and nieces, many friends, and her cherished Sisters of Mercy.

A ceremony honoring Sister Mary Camille's life is planned for Saturday morning, April 24, at 10:00 am, at the funeral home.  Guests are welcome to begin visiting at 9:00 am.

Memorial contributions are suggested to C.A.R.E.S. of Farmington Hills or the Sisters of Mercy .

Kindly keep Sister Mary Camille and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.