Age 98
Sister Madeleva Comiskey was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 24, 1925. She was the fifth child of Joe and Teresa (Doohan) Comiskey. She attended elementary and high school in Kansas City. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1942, professing her final vows in 1948.
Sister Madeleva earned a bachelor’s in education at College of Saint Mary in Omaha and a master’s in home economics at Stout State University in Wisconsin. Later, she received a certification in health administration.
Sister Madeleva was called upon to wear many ministry hats, and she wore them well. She taught primary grades through college. She was principal at St. Patrick School in Raton, New Mexico, and St. Peter School in Kansas City. She also served as department head of the home economics department at College of Saint Mary for 10 years.
Sister Madeleva’s ministry in education came to an end in 1971 when she was called to be the business manager at the Generalate in Bethesda, Maryland. After that, she served in other ministries, such as a parish pastoral care coordinator and nursing home administrator.
Sister Madeleva once commented that while each of her ministries have been “challenging and satisfying,” they all helped her grow as a Sister of Mercy. Her gentle and kind smile is proof she is living her motto, “All for Thee, Sweet Jesus.”