Sister Cecile Roeger, O.P.

Sr. Cecile Roeger, O.P. entered eternal life on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Sr. Ceil was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 11, 1941, to the late Robert and Ruth Brenkman Roeger. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Jack and Bill Roeger. She is survived by her sisters Margaret Haft, Mary Exner, and Carolyn Mathys. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Sr. Ceil graduated from Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1959. Shortly thereafter, she began studying at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After working as a registered nurse in Fort Wayne for several years, she moved to Houston to work in the Memorial Hospital System (now Memorial Hermann Health Care System). While working there, she earned a B.S. in Psychology at the University of Houston and an M.S. in Human Resource Management at Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University). She also earned a Master's in Theological Studies from Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

Sr. Ceil entered the community in 1990. She served as a nurse in San Antonio, Texas; at Memorial Hospital Southwest in Houston; and Advocate Bethany Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She also served as the administrator for the Dominican Sisters’ retirement home, St. Dominic Villa. In 2005, she was appointed the community’s Promoter of Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation. In this role, she collaborated with countless individuals and organizations to address issues such as human trafficking, systemic racism, environmental justice, the abolition of the death penalty, and immigration reform on local and national levels. Her congregational service also included her ministry as the internal communications director and a member of several committees, including the Laudato Si Action Platform and Mission Giving committees.

In her free time, Sr. Ceil enjoyed reading, watching movies, and taking walks along the bayou and Hermann Park. She was passionate about caring for the marginalized and inspired others to do the same. Sr. Ceil will be remembered for her powerful preaching and for her love and pursuit of justice.

Sister’s body will be welcomed at 4 p.m. and the vigil service will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at St. Dominic Villa Chapel, 6504 Almeda Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Marty Iott, OP on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Villa Chapel. Burial is at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at 1 p.m. In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations to the Justice Fund may be made to Dominican Sisters of Houston, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX, 77021.

To watch the livestream for the Vigil at 6 p.m. on April 29, click the following link. https://youtube.com/live/EJz9ykqaIjQ?feature=share

To watch the live stream for the Mass of Christian Burial, at 10 a.m. on April 30, follow this link. https://youtube.com/live/gChdS58wHU4?feature=share