Marianella Domenici Obituary

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, Marianella Domenici S.C, passed away on February 5, 2015 at the age of 84 in her Albuquerque, NM home. Sister Marianella was born Nella Jeannette Domenici on May 24, 1930 to Cherubino and Alda (Vichi) Domenici in Albuquerque, NM. She was a Sister of Charity for 67 years.

Sister grew up in Albuquerque with her siblings, Thelma, Mary, Karlene, Pete and Rose Ann. Immersed in Catholic education from the beginning, she attended St. Vincent Academy, a school of the Sisters of Charity. All who knew her during these years recall her passion for becoming a teacher. As Sister said in her autobiography, "I cannot recall a time that I didn't want to be like 'my Sister,' who taught me and took such good care of me and the other little kindergarteners." Sister also recalled being asked, as a high school student, to take care of some children, and she reflected that, "it was that type of experience that was the starting point of my conviction that the education of children was my calling."

And what a calling it was - leading to 63 years of teaching in Catholic education! Upon graduation from St. Vincent Academy in 1947, Sister Marianella entered the Sister of Charity Community. By 1949, she was teaching first-grade students at Sacred Heart in Denver, CO. During her career, Sister taught every elementary and middle school grade, but she later recalled that these 62 first-graders were her first real test to see if she could love and help each student. As thousands of her "love doves" from over the years can attest, she passed that test with flying colors.

Sister's next assignment took her to Cincinnati in 1954 to St. Mary, Hyde Park. While at St. Mary, she grew her roots more deeply in her love of children and also completed her Bachelor of Science at the College of Mount Saint Joseph in 1958. From 1959 to 1962, she remained in Cincinnati, teaching at St. Lawrence.

Reassigned to the West in 1962, Sister went to St. Rose in Denver, CO, which was her first foray into teaching junior-high students. Undaunted by the new challenge, she not only found the time to share her love with those students, but to pursue a master's degree in administration, which she received from Creighton University in Omaha, NE.

In 1968, the Sisters of Charity assigned her to her first role as principal at Pauline Memorial in Colorado Springs, CO. Over the next 21 years, she brought her unique joy for education, love for all around her, and servant leadership to this community. What a testament to her incredible impact on the community that, more than 25 years after she left, that community retains a deep friendship of and fondness for her to this very day. To her final days, the people of Pauline Memorial - including the full generation of students she taught - kept in touch with her, shared their successes with her, and considered her their very own Sister Marianella. One can see a very tangible reflection of that love for her in the Sister Marianella Library at Pauline Memorial, dedicated in her honor.

In 1989, Sister returned to her very own home parish and she returned to Albuquerque as the Principal of St. Mary School. Over the next 23 years, she exemplified the spirit of the "St. Mary's Family," knitting the community together and bringing the school to new heights by the sheer power of the Holy Spirit within her. How fitting that it was here she coined the term "love doves" for her youthful charges, all of whom sought her out for the grace that she so abundantly shared with those around her. While she won accolade after accolade, including Teacher of the Year in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, nothing meant more to her than sharing the joy of her calling.

Since retiring from St Mary's in 2012, Sister enjoyed her family and friends in Albuquerque and beyond, while keeping a hand in the education that she loved. Several days a week, one could find her mentoring, tutoring, and teaching at St. Therese, or even in her apartment. She was active in visiting with friends and attending Mass at Immaculate Conception. Beloved by so many, she passed away in peace with loved ones around her during her final illness and days.

Sister is survived by Thelma Domenici, The Honorable Pete and Nancy Domenici and Martin and Rose Ann (Domenici) Hamberger. Sister is also survived by 10 nephews and nieces, as well as 18 grand-nieces and nephews and one great-grandnephew. Sister is predeceased by Cherubino and Alda (Vichi) Domenici, and by her sisters, Mary (Domenici) Stratman, and Karlene Guillon.

A Viewing will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 619 Copper Avenue NW. The Viewing will be followed by recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 619 Copper Avenue NW, in Albuquerque. Mass will be followed by interment at Mt. Cavalry Cemetery, 1900 Edith Boulevard NE in Albuquerque.

It is suggested that contributions may be made to: St. Mary's Catholic School Scholarship Fund in Memory of Sr. Marianella Domenici C/O St. Mary's Catholic School, 224 7th Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, 247-4271.

"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it" Mark 10:14-15

Please visit our online guestbook for Sister at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

FRENCH - University, 1111 University Blvd. NE, , Albuquerque, New Mexico . 505-843-6333