Mary Reisz, SCN, 97, (formerly Sister Mary Cabrini) was born in Owensboro, Ky, to William Jacob and Mary Ella Reisz. She died on July 6, 2023, at Nazareth, Ky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 74 years.
Sister Mary’s earliest ministries were in elementary education, teaching at St. John School in Hollywood, Md, from 1948-1959 and later at St. Ladislas in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to teaching various grades, she had extensive experience in school administration. She served as principal at St. Matthias School in Louisville, Ky; Immaculate Conception in Culvertown, Ky; St. Paul School in Lexington, Ky; and St. Catherine of Siena in Fort Thomas, Ky.
Sister Mary assisted her SCN Community in many ways. She served as Assistant Provincial at Nazareth from 1972-1973, Provincial in Memphis, Tenn., from 1973-1979, and worked in Central Finance Administration for a year before taking up the responsibility of being Treasurer of the Congregation from 1980-1994.
Sister Mary also dedicated herself to housing ministry, serving as administrative assistant for Nazareth Villages, Inc. on the Nazareth Campus from 1994-2012.
From 2012-2016 Sister Mary was in Community Service, after which time she entered into the Apostolate of Prayer.
She is survived by her extended family and her religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Sister Mary’s cremains arrived at Nazareth at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 13. The wake followed at 6:30 p.m. Her funeral will be held Friday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. All will be held at St. Vincent Church, Nazareth, Ky.
Read more about Sister Mary Reisz here.
Sr. Mary Cabrini was the Principal at St. Matthias high school when I was in the 8th grade.
I’ll never forget when on November 22, 1963 she left our classroom to make the announcement on the PA system that our beloved President Kennedy had died. Sister did not return to the classroom that day.
In 1999 I visited her in Nazareth and was so surprised that she remembered me. We talked for a long time. Her work then was very important to both she and the community.
May her sweet soul rest in deep peace.
Sister was principal at St. Matthias in Louisville. My children went to school
there and were well taught. She also was responsible for the SCN sound finances.
A good and brilliant human being
My children went to St. Matthias School
and the then Sister Cabrini taught there.
She was also an astute math person and I believe she put the SCNs on a secure financial footing.
I always wanted to meet her but due to many reasons I never had the chance. I knew she had done many good things during her life it never happened. Rest in peace.
May Sr. Mary rest in peace. I remember how loving and caring she was with her family (mom) and aunts and extended family. She had a voice that radiated with kindness. She touched many lives during her journey on this earth. I am happy to have been one touched by her love and compassion.
Delores Sims Turnage, First Cousin
Rest in your eternal reward, Sr. Mary. We pray for you and for your Community as they lovingly return you to God.