Sister Catherine Thomas Dwyer, OP

31 October 1934 – 27 January 2023

SINSINAWA, Wis.—Sister Catherine Thomas Dwyer, OP, died Jan. 27, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Manor, Footville, Wis.

Sister Catherine Thomas made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1954, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1957. She taught for 38 years and served as principal for nine years and administrative assistant for three years. Sister Catherine Thomas loved her Irish heritage and big family. She skillfully taught elementary, middle and secondary education, passing on knowledge and inserting humor along the way. She served in Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Montana.

In the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Sister Catherine Thomas was principal at Little Flower, Billings, 1974-1981.

Sister Catherine Thomas was born Oct. 31, 1934, in La Crosse, Wis., the daughter of Michael and Kathryn (Riley) Dwyer. Her parents; seven sisters, Zita Foley, Kathleen Runde, Sister Mary Dominicana Dwyer, OP, Mary Lydon, Patricia Ninneman, Margaret Marnell, and Therese Ninneman; and four brothers, William Dwyer, the Rev. Cormac Dwyer, SDS, John Dwyer, and Terry Dwyer preceded her in death.