Sister Mary Kay Bailey, O.P., entered eternal life on Sunday, May 17, 2015. Sister was the daughter of the late Leona Sessinghaus and John Edwin Bailey, Sr. Born in Kilgore, Texas, on August 4, 1937, her family moved to Houston while she was still in elementary school.
She is predeceased by her two brothers John Edwin, Jr. and Thomas Bailey. She is survived by nieces and nephews.
After graduation from St. Agnes Academy in 1955, Sister Mary Kay joined the Dominican Sisters of Houston on September 8, 1955. She earned her B.A. in mathematics from Dominican College and her Masters in Theology from St. Mary University in San Antonio.
Sister Mary Kay's persistent seeking of truth and her desire to share her search with others shone in her varied ministries. Her students remember her as an excellent teacher: Houston (St. Peter the Apostle, St. Pius X H.S.), LaMarque (Queen of Peace), Galveston (Galveston Catholic H.S., O'Connell H.S.), San Antonio (Antonio H.S.).
In 1972 her ministry turned to leadership in Religious Education in San Antonio (Holy Spirit, San Jose Mission) and in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Office. In 1979-80 she ministered at Oblate College. The years 1986-93 were spent in pastoral administration in Pleasanton (St. Andrew, Sacred Heart). Her election by the Dominican Sisters to Council Member allowed her to serve her community in that capacity for 6 years. Returning to pastoral ministry, she went west to the Diocese of San Angelo, where she served Sterling City (St. Paschal) and Carlsbad (St. Theresa) followed by a time in Brenham doing adult faith formation.
She resided in Taylor (St. Mary) for a time before retiring to St. Dominic Villa in Houston.
Sister Mary Kay will be remembered as always eager to engage anyone with a meaningful discussion on almost any subject, but particularly about Liturgy or Theology truly a Dominican.
Sister's services were at St. Dominic Villa where her body was received on Wednesday, May 20; a wake service followed; Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, May 21, Rev. John Rooney presiding. Interment was at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77021.