Dominican Sister Duchesne Maxwell returned home to minister at hospitals

As her Nov. 27 birthday nears, the late Dominican Sister Duchesne Maxwell will be remembered by her Omaha family and friends – as well as those she served in pastoral care at Omaha hospitals.

Sister Duchesne – of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin – spent many years in Catholic education at schools in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. She went on to serve in leadership roles for her religious community before beginning hospital ministry in Illinois, Minnesota and Washington.

In Omaha, she served at Immanuel Hospital, Children’s Hospital, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Clarkson Hospital and Bergan Mercy Medical Center.

Sister Duchesne died Aug. 2 in Sinsinawa at age 92. A memorial Mass was held there on Aug. 12.

Sister Duchesne – who was named Mary by her parents, Charles and Loretta (Peasinger) Maxwell – professed vows with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1953, taking on the religious name Sister Duchesne.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and a master of arts degree in library science from Rosary College, now Dominican University, in River Forest, Illinois.

In 2010 Sister Duchesne moved to Sinsinawa Mound, Wisconsin, and in 2013 to St. Dominic Villa, a care center.

“In her 12 years as a resident, she offered compassion to everyone,” her religious community said. “Staff, residents, and sisters knew her loving embrace.”

Sister Duchesne was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Martin, John, Lawrence and Charles Maxwell; and her sister Bonnie Pryor.

Survivors include her sister Loretta Maxwell; nieces and nephews; and her Dominican Sisters.

Memorials may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI 53824 or donated online.