Sister Mary Bernard Sharkey, O.S.B., 1907-1994

Sister Mary Bernard Sharkey, 86, of St. Mary Priory, Nauvoo, Ill., died at 5:50 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the Priory.  She had been in failing health for several years.

A daughter of Owen and Ellen Hickey Sharkey, she was born Sept. 20, 1907 at Bradford, Ill.

Sister Mary Bernard entered the religious community Aug. 15, 1926 making her First Profession on July 20, 1928, and her Final Profession in 1931.  She celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1988.

She received a Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola University, Chicago, and taught at the following schools: Arlington, Ill.; St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo; St. Mary’s, Moline; St. Joseph’s, Ivesdale, Ill.; St. Peter & Paul Grade School, Nauvoo; St. Columba, Chicago; St. John’s, Clinton, Ill.; St. Thomas More, Munster, Ind.; and St. Boniface, Peoria.

She is survived by one sister, Marion Hughes of Sarasota, Fla.; a number of nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and by her Benedictine Community.

The body of Sister Mary Bernard lay in state at St. Mary Priory Chapel on Friday, with a Vigil Service in the Priory Chapel on Friday evening.  Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Richard Slavish, in the Priory Chapel on Saturday morning, with burial in the St. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Nauvoo.

The Barr Memorial Chapel of Fort Madison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.