Sr. Mary Howley

Sister Mary Howley, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York, died on October 27, 2014 in Siena Hall, Sparkill, NY.Born in New York on September 9, 1937, Mary was the daughter of Michael and Catherine Gallagher Howley. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1956 and received the name Sister Michael Catherine. She professed her first vows in 1958 and her final vows in 1963.Sister earned a B.S. in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, NY and a MS in Business Education, Hunter College, NY.During her professional life, Sister Mary ministered in the Archdiocese of New York and the dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. She taught at St. Agnes School, Sparkill, NY (1959-60); St. Joseph School, Bronx, NY (1960-61); Mary Queen of Heaven School, Brooklyn, NY (1961-70); St. Helena Commercial HS (1970-79); St. Francis Prep, Brooklyn, NY (1979-87). From 1987-1991, Sr. Mary was Program Coordinator for the Human Development Office in Rockville Centre. Sr. Mary gave clerical assistance in the Dominican Convent and was receptionist at Thorpe Senior Center and Dowling Gardens, Sparkill, NY. In 2012, Sr. Mary was a resident of Siena Hall and was a delightful presence to all.Sr. Mary is survived by her sister-in-law Mary Ann Howley of Moneta, VA and her nephews James Howley (Leah) of Vacaville, CA, Brian Howley (Sybil) of White Plains, NY and Sean Howley (Erica) of Purcellville, VA. She was the proud aunt of grandnephews Thomas, Adrian, Christopher, Colin, Will, Michael, Daniel and Liam. Sr. Mary was close to her many cousins from NY, NJ and Ireland.The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 10:30am. Visitation is on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 from 3:30 to 8:00pm at the Convent, 175 Rte. 340, Sparkill, NY. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Sparkill. Arrangements by Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dominican Sisters, at the above address, attention- Sr. Mary Murray, President.