Sister Mary Corice Evans carried the word of God wherever she served

In 67 years of religious life, Sister of Mercy Mary Corice Evans carried the word of God to numerous students, parishioners and the broader communities she served.

Especially in her later assignments, she served a wide variety of people, ranging from college students to homebound seniors.

According to the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Corice remarked at the time: “It was so fulfilling to carry His word to the many people He had chosen.”

Sister Corice is now being remembered for her service following her death Dec. 4 at age 85.

A funeral Mass was held Dec. 9 at Mercy Villa, with burial at Resurrection Cemetery, both in Omaha. Her family held a private vigil service.

Sister Corice was born in Omaha, the second of five children born to Lyle and Mary Frances (Gillen) Evans. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes School in Omaha and graduated in 1954 from the former St. Mary High School, a precursor of Mercy High School in Omaha.

She then entered the Sisters of Mercy in Council Bluffs, Iowa, making a temporary profession of vows in 1957 and a perpetual profession in 1960.

She taught at elementary schools in Denver and Des Moines, Iowa, as well as in Omaha at the former St. Ann School from 1966 to 1968; the former St. Agnes School from 1969 to 1970; and at St. Joan of Arc from 1974 to 1977. Sister Corice later was a substitute teacher in Omaha, from 1993 to 1994.

She had a retreat ministry from 1977 to 1979 based in Pecos, New Mexico, also leading retreats in Jamaica, Germany and several locations in the United States.

Sister Corice returned to Omaha to serve in family and community ministry at the former St. Richard Parish and Mercy Villa from 1994 to 1996; in parish ministry and as parish secretary at St. Peter Parish from 1996 to 1999; as a pastoral minister at St. Peter and St. Ann parishes from 1998 to 1999; and as a volunteer at St. Joan of Arc School from 1999 to 2001.

After her retirement in 2013, she helped minister to the elderly and in prayer.

Sister Corice was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include siblings and spouses Jean (Evans) Weaver, L. Thomas and Judy Evans, Kathleen Evans, and Donald Evans; many nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of Mercy.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of Mercy.