Sr. Mary Melady O.S.B.

Sr. Mary Melady, O.S.B. died on April 17, 2025 at St. Joseph Court, the infirmary of St. Scholastica Monastery. She was a vowed member of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago for sixty years and is survived by her Benedictine sisters, brother Patrick, sister-in-law Alice, two nieces and a nephew, and several beloved great-nieces and nephews.
Born in Evanston, IL, on November 1, 1945, Mary was the youngest of Gerald and Elizabeth O'Donell Melady's four children, and the only daughter. After graduating from St. Ignatius Elementary School and St. St Scholastica High School, Mary entered the Benedictine community on September 12, 1963. She received the name Sr. Mary Gerald but resumed use of her baptismal name in the late 1960's.
After her initial formation, Sr. Mary began studies at Mundelein College. She was then sent to teach at St. George and Queen of All Saints Elementary Schools, eventually completing a Bachelor of Arts in French at Mundelein in 1970. For two years she taught and was a dormitory prefect at St. Scholastica Academy in Cañon City, CO. Returning to Chicago for her final profession, Sr. Mary commenced on several happy years as an eighth-grade teacher at St. Joseph Elementary School near Cabrini-Green. In the 1978, she received her credentials for teaching English as a Second Language from Northeastern University and served in that capacity at St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago. In the years following, she matriculated at Loyola University, completing a Master of Pastoral Studies degree.
In 1981 Sr. Mary began studies at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Hyde Park. After completely the program (and one year of service in the monastery infirmary), she joined the staff at I.S.L., first as an administrative assistant, then as an instructor, and eventually as co-director. She spent almost two decades there. Concurrently she earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree, with a concentration in spiritual direction, from the Graduate Theological Foundation.
When she took on the responsibility of directing the community's initial formation program in 1999, she returned to teaching E.S.L., first part-time at Oakton Community College, and then full-time at Taft High School. She also continued using the skills she had honed at I.S.L. as a spiritual director and supervisor. She maintained that ministry after retiring from teaching. She also volunteered in various capacities at Holy Spirit Life Learning Center.
A faithful member of her religious community, Sr. Mary's many gifts benefitted her sisters in multiple ways. She was appointed subprioress in 2015 and continued in that role until the summer of 2023. In addition to initial formation, she lent her skills to the Personnel Board, Ongoing Formation Committee, and several other ad hoc groups.
Given her love of music, it is no surprise that several choirs, including the North Shore Choral Society and the Sounds Good Choir, were enriched by her strong singing voice. As recently as early April, Sr. Mary was able to sing the Suscipe ("Receive me, O Lord, according to your word, and I shall live/And do not fail me in my hope") with her sisters as she received the Anointing of the Sick. Sr. Mary often organized game nights for other sisters where her infectious sense of fun shone through. An avid reader, she particularly enjoyed mysteries.
Though Sr. Mary possessed many exemplary qualities, her joy and kindness will be especially missed.