Mary Kathleen Cummings
August 7, 1931 - January 2, 2022
Obituary
(Sister Katrina)
Sister Mary Kathleen Cummings (Sister Katrina), age 90, a Sister of Providence for 75 years, died January 2, 2022 at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle, Wash. Funeral Mass: Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Seattle, Wash. at 11am. Bonney Watson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sister Mary K., as she is fondly known, was born in Spokane, Wash. on August 7, 1931 to William S. and Catherine (Nichols) Cummings. She was their third child.
Sister Mary K. grew up around women religious, having been taught by the Sisters of the Holy Names in grade school and by the Franciscan Sisters at Marycliff High School. One of her aunts was a Sister of Providence, Sister Francis Maureen, SP. Having a religious calling and being drawn to the possibility of many different ministry opportunities as a Sister of Providence, Sister Mary K. became a novice in 1951, received first vows in 1952 and final vows in 1955.
Her educational achievements included: a BA in Education from College of Great Falls (now University of Providence); and an MBA in 1962 from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash.
Sister Mary K.’s many ministries were in education, pastoral care, religious community leadership, and as a treasurer and volunteer. As a teacher she ministered at: St. Francis Xavier School, Missoula, Mont. (1952-54, 1957-60); Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, Wallace, Idaho (1954-55); Providence of Mary School, Des Met, Idaho (1955-56); St. Gerald School, Great Falls, Mont. (1956-57); Sacred Heart Academy, Missoula, Mont. (1957-60); De Sales Central Catholic High School, Walla Walla, Wash. (1969-72). As a treasurer, De Sales Central Catholic High School (1969-72); College of Great Falls (1962-67); St. Thomas Home, Great Falls, Mont. (1972). In Religious Community Leadership; Administrator, Mount St. Joseph, Spokane, Wash. (1987-89); Local Superior, Mount. St. Joseph (1986-89, 2001-04); Local Superior, Emilie Court Assisted Living, Spokane, Wash. (2001-04); Provincial Councilor, St. Ignatius Province (1992-99). She was pastoral associate at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Hayward, California (1983-85) and St. Anthony Parish, Missoula, Mont. (1985-86). She volunteered at Women’s Hearth, Spokane, Wash., and the Religious Community Library in Spokane.
In 2018, Sister Mary K. graciously made the transition from Spokane to St. Joseph Residence in Seattle, Wash. She relished the view over Puget Sound and, frequently, the beautiful sunsets. Her gentle spirit touches everyone near her.
Sister Mary K. is preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers. She is survived by her nieces and nephews, and by the Sisters in her community.
Sr. Mary K., you will always be loved.
Sister Mary K. was always such a sweet, kind person. She was a quiet, unassuming person, but she was a good leader and very intelligent. I loved her demeanor, and I loved her.
I had Sister Katrina for my teacher in 2nd or 3rd grade at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Wallace, Idaho She was a very sweet teacher.
I loved Sr. Mary K. She was one of the kindest and most thoughtful Sister. When I began my journey as a Providence Associate back in 2001, she would always ask me how I was doing and would listen so thoughtfully when we shared conversations. I loved seeing her at chapel, and when she was living at the Mount. She will be missed.