Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB, 96, of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL, passed away Friday, September 18, 2026, at the monastery.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in the Chapel of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, at the monastery, with a Christian wake service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan, IL, is assisting with arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island.

Sister Catherine Cleary was born on June 1, 1930, in Peoria, Illinois, a daughter of Michael and Clarys (Fulton) Cleary. She entered the Benedictine Community on August 15, 1949. She made her first profession as a Benedictine Sister on August 23, 1951, and her final profession as a Benedictine Sister on August 23, 1954.

Sister Catherine attended Grand View School, Gridley, IL (grade School); Academy of Our Lady, Peoria, IL (high school); St. Scholastica College, Duluth, MN (BA in Biology); St. John University, Collegeville, MN (Master of Arts, Sacred Studies); and University of Illinois (MS Educational Psychology).

Sister Catherine’s ministry included teaching early education at Catholic Grade Schools in Clinton and Winona, IL, and did catechetical work in Ladd, IL. She taught Biology at Alleman High School in Rock Island and taught Biology and Religion at St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo, IL. From 1980-1988 she served as Prioress of St. Mary Monastery. Sister Catherine did Campus ministry at the Newman Center, University of Illinois and was pastoral associate at St. Thomas Parish and St. Mark Parish in Peoria, IL. She was a Counselor of Marriage and Family Life at Lutheran Social Services in Peoria, IL for 11 years. Sister Catherine was Director for the Benedictine Oblates of St. Mary Monastery from 1998-2005. After the Sisters moved to Rock Island, she became the first Director of Benet House Retreat Center.

She is survived by her Benedictine Sisters; her sister and brothers and their spouses, Anne Cleary Lyons, James (Joan) Cleary, and David Cleary; and many nieces and nephews.

Sister Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Clarys Cleary; and her siblings, Colleen Cleary Regele, Thomas Cleary, Michael Cleary, Clarys Cleary Souter, Robert Cleary, and Sister Audrey Cleary.

Online condolences may be shared at www.wheelanpressly.com.