A funeral Mass for longtime educator Sister Kay (formerly Sister Josita) DeMarea, SL, was to have been celebrated July 22 at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky. Sister Kay died June 8 at Loretto Living Center at the Loretto Motherhouse. She was 92 and in the 75th year of her Loretto commitment.
Sister Kay was born Katherine DeMarea on April 28, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Katherine (Mills) and Joseph DeMarea. She was received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross on April 25, 1949. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1959 and a master’s in liturgy and catechetics in 1967 at Webster University in St. Louis. She also earned a doctorate in special education in 1977 from Saint Louis University.
In the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Sister Kay taught in parochial schools (1951-52 and 1955-66), at Webster University’s College School (1966-76) and at the Loretto Center for Learning, where she offered a special education emphasis (1966-72), and served as a consultant with Saint Louis University’s Special Education Department (1973-76). She also was a teacher and chair of the Special Education Department at Fontbonne University (1975-76).
In Milledgeville, Georgia, Sister Kay was an associate professor of education at Georgia College (1976-83), director of religious education at Sacred Heart Parish (1983-90) and provided private tutorial services (1980-90). In the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, Sister Kay taught parochial school students, was coordinator of the Loretto Literacy Program (1990-95), directed an outreach program in Marion County (1995-2001) and the Loretto Child Care Program (2001-04), served for a year as a pastoral team member at the Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary and provided community service in Bardstown and at the Loretto Motherhouse.
Sister Kay was active in parish music everywhere she lived and often directed congregational singing. Reflecting on her years of service, Sister Kay had said, “Everything has been worth it. They have been wonderful years.”
Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister, Barbara DeMarea, and a nephew. She is survived by a niece and nephew and her dear friend, Suzanne Reasbeck of Bardstown, Kentucky. Burial will be at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery on the motherhouse grounds.
