Sr. Mary Kay Bailey, O.P.

Sister Mary Kay Bailey, O.P. entered eternal life on Sunday, May 17, 2015. Sister was the daughter of the late Leona Sessinghaus and John Edwin Bailey, Sr. Born in Kilgore, TX, on August 4, 1937, her family moved to Houston while she was still in elementary school. Sister is predeceased by her two brothers John Edwin, Jr. and Thomas Bailey. She is survived by nieces and nephews.

After graduation from St. Agnes Academy in 1955, she joined the Dominican Sisters of Houston on September 8, 1955. She earned her B.A. in mathematics from Dominican College and her Masters in Theology from St. Mary University in San Antonio. Sister Mary Kay’s persistent seeking of truth and her desire to share her search with others shone in her varied ministries. Her students remember her as an excellent teacher: Houston (St. Peter the Apostle, St. Pius X H.S.), LaMarque (Queen of Peace), Galveston (Galveston Catholic H.S., O’Connell H.S.), San Antonio (Antonio H.S.). In 1972 her ministry turned to leadership in Religious Education in San Antonio (Holy Spirit, San Jose Mission) and in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Office. In 1979-80 she ministered at Oblate College. The years 1986-93 were spent in pastoral administration in Pleasanton, TX (St. Andrew, Sacred Heart). Her election by the Dominican Sisters to Council Member allowed her to serve her community in that capacity for 6 years. Returning to pastoral ministry, she went west to Sterling, TX (St. Paschal) and Carlsbad, TX (St. Theresa) followed by a time in Brenham doing adult faith formation. She resided in Taylor (St. Mary) for a time before retiring to St. Dominic Villa in Houston.

Sister Mary Kay will be remembered as always eager to engage anyone with a meaningful discussion on almost any subject, but particularly about Liturgy or Theology—truly a Dominican.

Sister’s services will be held at St. Dominic Villa: her body will be received at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, and a wake service that evening at 6:30; Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10:30 a.m., Rev. John Rooney presiding. Interment will take place at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of the usual remembrances donations may be made to Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77021.