Sister Mary C. Core, OSB

ROCK ISLAND — A private Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary C. Core, OSB, is planned for Wednesday, March 30, at St. Mary Monastery. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, also in Rock Island.

The Mass will be livestreamed through the Facebook page of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery at 10 a.m.

A private visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, at the monastery. A private Christian wake service will follow at 7 p.m.

Sister Mary died on March 27, 2022, at St. Mary Monastery. She was 73.

Born in Sterling on April 4, 1948, Mary Claire Core was the daughter of Darrell and Anna Jane (Bingenheimer) Core. She attended St. Anne School in East Moline and Alleman High School in Rock Island.

She would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in theology and English from St. Xavier University, Chicago; a master of theological studies from St. Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Indiana; and a certificate of religious education of adolescents from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio.

Sister Mary entered the Benedictine community on Sept. 10, 1967, and made her first profession of vows on June 21, 1969. Her final profession came on Aug. 12, 1972.

Her ministry in the Diocese of Peoria included teaching at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Macomb (1969-70); Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth (1970-72); St. Mary’s Academy in Nauvoo, where she was also a dorm prefect (1975-80 and 1983-89); Peoria Notre Dame High School (Bergan) in Peoria (1980-83); and St. Bede Academy in Peru, where she was also the service program coordinator (1997-2003). She was director of religious education and youth minister at St. Joseph in Pekin (1989-94), and youth director at St. Maria Goretti in Coal Valley and Mary, Our Lady of Peace in Orion (2012-15).

In addition, Sister Mary served as initial formation director and liturgy director for St. Mary Monastery.

She also shared her love of Scripture and reading with the readers of The Catholic Post, writing Scripture reflections and book reviews from time to time.

Preceded in death by her parents, Sister Mary is survived by her Benedictine Sisters; her brothers, James (Angela) Core of Spokane Valley, Washington, and Richard (Susan) Core of Los Angeles; her sisters, Lois (Steven) Pinto of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Rita (Wayne) Pacha of Eldridge, Iowa; and nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, 2200 88th Ave. West, Rock Island, IL 61201-7649.