Obituary: Foley, Sister Cara Lee (Thomas Maureen), Snjm
Age 78
Her mother died in 1945, leaving Cara Lee and her two sisters.
Her father married again, and their blended family eventually numbered nine siblings.
Cara Lee was very fond of her “step-mother.”
She attended school in Spirit Lake and Columbia Falls until transferring to Holy Names Academy as a boarder for her final two years of high school, graduating in 1954.
She joined the Sisters of the Holy Names that year and began her college education.
She earned a B.A.
in Chemistry and Theology from Marylhurst College, and an M.A.
and a Ph.
D. in Sacred Doctrine from St. Mary’s Notre Dame.
Her ministries were mostly at the college level in both teaching and administration at Fort Wright College and Carroll College.
She was selected for leadership in her religious community from 1992-96, after which she returned to Carroll College.
She also served as an ESL instructor at Heritage College for a short time.
Sister Cara Lee loved to be of service.
She was competent in so many areas from administration to baking to gardening and sewing to creating prayer services and environments.
Her leadership qualities were evident even in her high school years as she was senior class president, National Honor Society president valedictorian, yearbook staff, and those qualities served her well throughout her life.
Although she liked to skate, swim and walk, for team sports, she preferred to keep score.
Cara Lee was every bit a musician, her instrument was her voice!
She sang so beautifully for community celebrations and liturgies, and also with the Spokane Chorale.
She responded to music to the end of her life, even if only with her feet!
By the year 2000, it was clear that her health would limit her ministries and her life significantly.
She retired to the Convent in Spokane when her need for support increased.
Although she lived with Alzheimer’s disease for nearly fifteen years, she continued to be gracious, gentle and beautiful, and her desire to be of service lasted as long as her ability to walk.
Cara Lee never failed to respond to people who spoke with her, even if only to blink.
For as long as she could, Cara Lee went to the family resort in Martin City, Montana to assist during the summer months, cleaning cabins and making beds, and spending time with her step-mother and sisters.
Cara Lee was the eldest of nine children, one of whom has predeceased her.
Her siblings are: Mary Elizabeth Ban, Martin City, MT; Hugh Foley (Birgit) Eugene, OR; Margaret Harkins (Jim), Martin City, MT; Marion Foley, Martin City, MT; Rosemary Mattick (Ed Casey) Seattle, WA; Doyle Foley (Ginny), Martin City, MT; Kate Foley (John Helton), Martin City, MT.
Cara Lee was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Margaret Foley, and by a brother, Thomas Murphy Foley, and her step-mother, Edna Rose Foley.
She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Sister Cara Lee Foley died April 28, 2014, at Brookdale Place at Harbor Glen.
Mass of Resurrection is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 2, 2014, at Convent of the Holy Names.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: