LEWIS SL, MARY KENNETH
6/ 15/ 1924 - 5/ 20/ 2023
Sister Mary Kenneth Lewis SL died May 20, 2023, at Loretto Living Center, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, KY. She was 98 and had just celebrated her 80th jubilee as a Sister of Loretto. Born Shirley Ann Lewis June 15, 1924, in Denver. Received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross on April 25, 1943. Earned a B. A. in English in 1956 from Loretto Heights College, Denver, a master’s in English in 1963 from Marquette Univ., Milwaukee, and a master’s in religious ed in 1975 from Seattle Univ. Sr. Mary Ken taught in Denver at St. John School ( 1964- 1965) and Holy Family High School ( 1965- 1970). She was director of religious education at St. Augustine Parish in Brighton ( 1970- 1975) and served as archdiocesan director of religious education for 28 parishes in the northern area of the Archdiocese of Denver ( 1975- 1979). She also oversaw adult religious education at Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Boulder ( 1979- 1987). In 1993, Sister Mary Ken founded the Loretto Spirituality Center at the Loretto Center in Littleton and served as its first director until 2006, when she retired. Elsewhere, she served in the Colorado Springs Diocese, where she taught and was a parish pastoral associate. Sr. Mary Ken also taught in Illinois, New Mexico and Wyoming. She coordinated migrant ministry in Nebraska and Colorado for many summers and directed newly professed sisters in this ministry. Said Sistermary Ken of her years of service, “I loved everything I did. I really enjoyed the work.” She moved in 2012 to Loretto Motherhouse, carrying out a ministry of prayer and presence until her death. Preceding her in death were her parents and her siblings, Charlotte Elkins, Kenneth Lewis Jr. and Mary Ellen Lewis. She is survived by nine nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Sr. Mary Ken at 8 a. m. May 30, with her wake at 4: 30 p. m. May 29, both at Loretto Motherhouse. Burial in Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Loretto for our mission, c/ o Loretto Motherhouse, 515 Nerinx Road, Nerinx, KY 40049 or as an online gift at www. lorettocommunity. org.