Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB, 1930-2026
Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB, 96, of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL, passed away Friday, September 18, 2026, at the monastery.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in the Chapel of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, and burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island.
Catherine Cleary was born on June 1, 1930, in Peoria, IL, a daughter of Michael and Clary (Fulton) Cleary. She entered the Benedictine community on August 15, 1949. Sr. Catherine made her first profession as a Benedictine Sister on August 23, 1951, and her final profession on August 23, 1954. She celebrated her 70th Jubilee in 2021.
Sr. Catherine attended Grand View School, Gridley, IL (grade school); Academy of Our Lady, Peoria, IL (high school); St. Scholastica College, Duluth, MN (BA in Biology); St. John University, Collegeville, MN (Master of Arts, Sacred Studies); and University of Illinois (MS Educational Psychology).
In her academic ministry, Sr. Catherine taught early education at Catholic Grade Schools in Clinton and Winona, IL, and did catechetical work in Ladd, IL. She taught Biology at Alleman High School in Rock Island and taught Biology and Religion at St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo, IL.
Within community, Sr. Catherine served as Prioress of St. Mary Monastery from 1980-1988. Following her terms as Prioress, Sr. Catherine did Campus ministry at the Newman Center, University of Illinois and was pastoral associate at St. Thomas Parish and St. Mark Parish in Peoria, IL. For 11 years, she was a Counselor of Marriage and Family Life at Lutheran Social Services in Peoria, IL. Sr. Catherine was Director for the Benedictine Oblates of St. Mary Monastery from 1998-2005. After the Sisters moved to Rock Island, she became the first Director of Benet House Retreat Center.
She is survived by her Benedictine Sisters; her sister and brothers and their spouses, Anne Cleary Lyons, James (Joan) Cleary, and David Cleary; and many nieces and nephews.
Sr. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Clarys Cleary, and her siblings, Colleen Cleary Regele, Thomas Cleary, Michael Cleary, Clarys Cleary Souter, Robert Cleary, and Sr. Audrey Cleary.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island.