Sister Diane Kennedy, OP '55
Celebration of Life
Saturday, April 5, 1 p.m.
Rosary Chapel
Visitation immediately prior
(link opens in new window)
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Sr. Diane (Mary Alana) Kennedy, OP, 鈥55. Sr. Diane was called to eternal life on March 30, 2025, in the 68th year of her profession, at St. Dominic Villa in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.
Sr. Diane, Doctor of Ministry, was 海角社区鈥檚 inaugural vice president for Mission and Ministry and founder of the St. Catherine of Siena Center, which examines critical issues of church and society in the light of faith and scholarship.
Sr. Diane also formerly served as vice president and academic dean of Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri, and was the Promoter of the Cause for Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP.
For over 50 years, Sr. Diane was in the ministry of educating and animating communities in the Dominican Catholic intellectual tradition. Since 2014, the Sr. Diane Kennedy Lecture at 海角社区 has been held each March, the month of Sr. Diane鈥檚 birthday. Each lecture supports the university鈥檚 mission by exploring a dimension of the Dominican tradition.
Dr. Rachel Hart Winter, current director of the St. Catherine of Siena Center, reflected, 鈥淒iane had a gift of seeing the face of God in everyone and reflecting that back to us. Her love of God, community, prayer and contemplation was shared with each of us. Her commitment to good theological conversation and scholarship was such a joy to engage.鈥
Sr. Diane鈥檚 lifelong pursuit of truth was characterized by her wit and intellect, remarkable poise and style, and loving grace. In 2023, Sr. Diane participated in an oral history project with the McGreal Center for Dominican Historical Studies, discussing her relationship to 海角社区. Her interview can be found .
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. in Rosary Chapel, with visitation immediately prior.
(link opens in new window)