Sister Mary Irene Cecil, 91, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 72nd year of religious life. She was a native of West Louisville.
Sister Mary Irene was a “quiet fire,” a prayerful, gentle woman who possessed strong skills as a servant leader.
An educator for 28 years, she served as major superior of the Ursuline Sisters from 1980-88 and as a Leadership Council member from 1974-80. From 1989-95, she served as coordinator of staff, director of lay ministry, and director of adult formation for the Diocese of Owensboro. She was director of postulants for her community (1995-96) and minister to the sick at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Owensboro (1996-2002). She was co-director of pastoral care at Saint Joseph Villa at the Motherhouse (2002-2009), and daily annalist for the community (2010-14). From 2009-2018, she was a seamstress for the senior sisters at the Motherhouse.
Survivors include the members of her religious community; her brother, Tom Cecil, of Owensboro; and nieces and nephews.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation will begin Thursday at 4 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m.
Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, is handling arrangements.
Donations in memory of Sister Mary Irene may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.