Sister Mary Catherine Brehony

Sister Catherine Brehony, OVISS
Sister Catherine Brehony (Teresa Evelyn) was welcomed into eternal life by her loving God on October 11, 2025, at the age of 96. Born in County Sligo, Ireland, to John and Catherine McDonagh Brehony on July 26, 1929, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother Padraic Brehony, and sisters Margaret Gethin, Nance Higgins, and Sister Mary Rita Brehony. She is survived by two sisters, Sister Maria Elizabeth and Sister Colette Brehony, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sister entered the Incarnate Word Congregation in Corpus Christi on August 26, 1947, made perpetual profession of vows on April 19, 1952, and celebrated her 75th anniversary of religious profession on April 6, 2024. She was the oldest of four Brehony siblings to enter the Congregation.
She earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics and graduated magna cum laude from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio in 1964. She was subsequently awarded several grants from the National Science Foundation for graduate study in mathematics and received a master's degree from Notre Dame University in 1966. She also did graduate studies in religious education at St. Thomas University in Houston.
Teaching was a way of life for Sister Catherine for more than six decades. Most of her teaching years were at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, where she taught French, mathematics and religion. In addition, she taught religious education in several parishes in Corpus Christi, Flour Bluff, and Refugio in the evenings and on weekends. A short time after she retired from teaching at Incarnate Word Academy in 2015, the school renovated the lobby of the Mother Patricia Gunning Gym and built and dedicated the "Sister Catherine Café" in her honor.
In her valedictory speech at graduation in 1995, a student of Sister Catherine praised her for being a dedicated teacher and a wonderful model of a life well lived. "You have given us the example of your life. You have taught us that there are other roads less traveled out there, perhaps the one that you took, and that they can make all the difference for a better world."
Within the Congregation, Sister served three 4-year terms on the General Council, was Coordinator of Initial Formation and Director of Postulants for 12 years, Vocation Director for six years, assistant to the Sister-in-Charge of the Motherhouse, member of the Formation Committee, and member of many commissions and committees.
Some of Sister Catherine's leisurely activities included reading the newspaper and magazines, playing Solitaire on the computer, and playing Canasta and Dominoes.
Funeral arrangements will be provided by Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service. Services will be held at Incarnate Word Convent, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413. Due to limited seating, the services* will be livestreamed and available for later viewing on iwbscc.org Facebook page.
Viewing: Friday, October 17, 2025, from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. * Rosary: Friday, October 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. * Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. Burial: 11:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Incarnate Word Sisters Retirement Fund", Attention: Sr. Anna Marie Espinosa, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413-5501. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sister Mary Catherine, please visit our floral store.