Age 100
Sister Maureen Dees dedicated her life to faith, education, and service, touching countless lives with her kindness, humor, and unwavering commitment to others.
Born in France, she experienced a childhood of both hardship and grace. She was adopted but her mother died five years later, and her father could not care for her. She was placed at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh, North Carolina.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina. In 1945, she answered the call to religious life and joined the Sisters of Mercy, beginning a lifetime of service rooted in compassion and faith.
Her vocation as an educator spanned several communities. She taught in many Catholic elementary schools throughout the Diocese of Charlotte and Raleigh most notably Sacred Heart in Salisbury, North Carolina. Her dedication to her students extended beyond academics, as she inspired hope, curiosity, and spiritual growth in every classroom she entered.
Later in her ministry, Sister Maureen brought her caring spirit to Guam, where she volunteered for two years as a social worker and nursery worker, uplifting children and families with her gentle presence and practical support.
Upon her retirement, Sister Maureen remained active in service. She volunteered at Catherine’s House. Her commitment to helping others never waned, embodying her life’s motto: “All for Jesus through Mary.”