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Obituary for
Sister Mary Edwin (Patricia Ann) DeCoursey
(1922 - 2009)

Sister Mary Edwin was the youngest of James H. DeCoursey's four children with his first wife, Julia Agnes McManus. She was only a year old when Julia died. Her father remarried 5 years later to Jennie Mathews, who became her much beloved mother. Sister Mary Edwin became a Sister of Charity at the age of 21, a vocation that she, in her own words, "fought like a lion" and was afraid to tell her parents about. In those days being a nun meant having little contact with one's family. She had an incredibly sharp mind, and liked horse racing, mystery novels and mint chocolate chip ice cream. She was an exceptional person. Related Items: Description of Sister Mary Edwin in "History of the De Courseys, 1814 to 1964". Pictures of Sister Mary Edwin's father and his siblings. More information on her father and his family in The DeCoursey Family. Biographies of her father from 1918 and 1952. Obituaries for her brother Edwin M. and sister Aggie.

Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri) The Topeka Capital-Journal (Topeka, Kansas) Wednesday, February 4, 2009 LEAVENWORTH, KS. . . . The faculty and staff of the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, KS, join the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth as they mourn the loss of Sister Mary Edwin DeCoursey, 86, who died on Monday evening, Feb. 2, 2009, at Ross Hall, Mother House, Leavenworth, KS. Patricia M. DeCoursey was born on April 4, 1922, in Kansas City, KS, one of four children of Mr. and Mrs. James H. DeCoursey, Sr. She graduated from St. Peter's Grade School and Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, KS. On September 1, 1941, after two years at St. Mary College, Notre Dame, IN, she entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and, as Sister Mary Edwin, made her profession of vows on March 4, 1943. After professing her vows, Sister Mary Edwin completed her undergraduate education at the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, KS. She taught seventh grade at Holy Name School in Topeka, KS for one year before going to Washington, DC to attend Catholic University of America. She received an M.A. in 1946 and a Ph.D., Philosophy in 1948. During her tenure in the Philosophy department at the University of Saint Mary from 1948-1992, Sister Mary Edwin served as Assistant Professor, Professor, and department chairperson. In May, 1992, Sister Mary Edwin retired as Professor Emerita of Philosophy from the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, KS. Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, James H. and Joyce DeCoursey, Jr., Topeka, KS, nieces, nephews, cousins, including S. Regina DeCoursey, SCL, friends, and her SCL community. A vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Ross Chapel of the Sisters of Charity Mother House in Leavenworth, where friends may call after 4:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the Mother House grounds. R. L. Leintz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S 4th ST, Leavenworth, KS 66048. NB: In the obituary heading, please give the name as follows: Sister Mary Edwin DeCoursey Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas) Wednesday, February 04, 2009 Leavenworth, Kan. - The faculty and staff of the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, join the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth as they mourn the loss of Sister Mary Edwin DeCoursey, 86, who died on Monday evening, Feb. 2, 2009, at Ross Hall, Mother House, Leavenworth.

Transcribed by Erica DeCoursey 2009