ROCK ISLAND — Sister Phyllis McMurray, OSB, who was prioress of St. Mary Monastery here from 2004 until 2012, died on Aug. 3, 2013, after “a long, very courageous battle” with cancer. She was 70.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Aug. 6 in the monastery chapel. Burial followed at Resurrection Cemetery in Rock Island.

Born in Peoria on Feb. 13, 1943, Sister Phyllis was the daughter of Mitchell and Victoria (Moses) McMurray. She attended St. Patrick School and the Academy of Our Lady, both in Peoria, before entering the Benedictine community on Sept. 13, 1961. She made her first profession of vows on June 15, 1963, and her final profession in 1968.

She would go on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and a master of science degree in educational administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb.

From 1965 to 1970, Sister Phyllis taught at St. Anthony School in Atkinson, St. John School in Bradford, St. Roch School in LaSalle and Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth. She also ministered as a math teacher, resident adviser and principal at St. Mary Academy in Nauvoo from 1971 until the school closed in 1997.

The following year she was named vocation director for her community and was part of the committee that helped to design and plan the current St. Mary Monastery and Benet House Retreat Center. The Benedictines moved to Rock Island in 2001.

Sister Phyllis was elected prioress in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. She went on sabbatical after completing her second term last year.

During her tenure, the Sisters of St. Benedict launched their website, smmsisters.org, and expanded Benet House Retreat Center to include a hermitage and offer more room for retreats and programs.

Sister Phyllis was honored by Peoria Notre Dame with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2006.

When she celebrated her 50th anniversary of consecrated life in June, she told The Catholic Post she became familiar with the Benedictine Sisters after moving from St. Patrick Parish to Holy Family Parish in Peoria. They were always welcoming and kind, she recalled, and had a “family spirit.”

She cited living in community with women who are seeking God as the most satisfying aspect of her vocation.

“We have the same goal yet each of us approaches it in a different way,” she said. “Thus we learn from each other. I experience much joy and peace here.”

Preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Thomas and Ronald, Sister Phyllis is survived by two sisters, Judy (Pete) Schlicksup of Davenport, Iowa, and Lynn Montei of Riverside; a brother, Joe McMurray of Salina, Kan.; and her Benedictine Sisters, with whom she shared life for more than five decades.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, 2200 88th Avenue West, Rock Island, IL 61201. Online condolences may be left at WheelanPressly.com.