Dominican sister served all around Nebraska

Dominican Sister of Peace Maria del Rey Mangan, whose 73 years of religious life included teaching and pastoral ministry in Catholic schools and parishes in all three Nebraska dioceses, died June 2 at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, Kentucky. She was 93.

Funeral services were held June 10 at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel with burial in the St. Catharine motherhouse cemetery.

A native of Greeley, Nebraska, she entered religious life at St. Catharine in 1946, and professed first vows in 1947 and perpetual vows in 1950.

Sister Maria del Rey held a bachelor’s degree in education and English plus master’s degrees in library science and applied spirituality.

She taught at the former St. Mary School in Omaha from 1956 to 1963, and at schools in McCook, Grand Island, Kearney and Lincoln. She also served as principal at St. Mary from 1966 to 1969 and at Sacred Heart School in Greeley.

Beginning in 1975, Sister Maria del Rey served in parish ministry at parishes in St. Paul, Farwell and Elba, Nebraska.

She also served as Western Regional Coordinator from 1987 to 1991 for the former Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine, St. Catharine.

In 2007, Sister Maria del Rey moved to the St. Catharine motherhouse, where she provided community service. In March 2021, she moved to Sansbury Care Center, where she began a ministry of prayer and presence.

She is survived by three nieces and one nephew. Memorial gifts may be sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098. To make a secure online donation, go to www.oppeace.org.