Sister Moireen Kelly

Sister Moireen Kelly, 96, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, at a Bismarck care center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery. Visitation starts at 4:15 p.m. Saturday at the monastery and is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and at 9 a.m. Monday until the time of the funeral. A wake service is scheduled for 7 p. m. Sunday at the monastery. God and music were woven throughout Sister Moireen's 75 years as a Benedictine Sister. She dedicated her life to God and spent many years teaching and enjoying music. Born on Sept. 10, 1914, in Mandan, N.D., to John and Rose Boehm, Sister Moireen was given the name Gertrude. She was the oldest of six children, five girls and one boy. While in the fifth grade, Gertrude met the Benedictine sisters from St. Benedict's, St. Joseph, Minn. During weekend walks with the sisters, she recalled asking them many questions which led to her own interest in religious life. She entered St. Benedict's Monastery in 1938, where she received the name, Sister Moireen, and made monastic profession July 11, 1935. Sister Moireen's major in music eventually led to her ministry as a music teacher, choir director and organist. In 1938, she was sent to the Bismarck Diocese where she taught music in schools, directed choirs in parishes, and gave private piano lessons. In 1947, Sister Moireen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Benedict. That same year, Sister Moireen transferred her commitment to the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery when sisters were invited to found a new community in the Bismarck Diocese. She served in music ministry throughout North Dakota at St. Mary's in Bismarck; St. Joseph's Convent, Mandan, and at St. Patrick's Convent in Dickinson. When the sisters moved into their new monastery and opened Priory High in Bismarck in 1959, Sister Moireen was assigned to be procurator, a position she held for 10 years. She oversaw the furnishing of rooms for the monastery and high school. She recalled, "The furniture had been ordered by world-renowned architect Marcel Breuer himself!" She continued as a music instructor and private piano instructor for 31 years at Annunciation Monastery and the University of Mary, where she was a faculty member for 15 years. She also served the monastic community as organist until her retirement in 2007. In celebrating her 75th anniversary as a Benedictine last summer, Sister Moireen said her life as a Sister was fulfilling. "Every day, to the best of my ability, I try to do ordinary things extraordinarily well." She will be fondly remembered for her ability to tell a good story, her faithfulness to the Benedictine life and her love of family, friends and community. Sister Moireen is survived by a sister, Kathleen Kennedy, Billings, Mont.; a brother, John Maureen, Roseville, Minn.; a brother-in law, John Maillet, Missoula, Mont., nieces and nephews, their children and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.

Sister Moireen Kelly

September 10, 1914 - October 20, 2010