December 15, 1922 – August 25, 2022
A gifted teacher, a lover of life and laughter, and a woman of deep faith.
Born Eugenia Anne Foley in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 15, 1922, Sister Ursula Foley, CSJ died peacefully at Carondelet Village in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 25, 2022.
In 1943, she entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and was given the name Sister Ursula Foley. She was missioned to the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, where she received a Bachelor’s in library science and Latin in 1948 and was assigned to be a reference librarian in St. Catherine’s library. She later received a Master’s in Latin and humanities from the University of Minnesota in 1969.
Sister Ursula’s teaching career spanned more than 30 years with students often regarding her as “a favorite who left a lasting impression.” Latin and history were her areas of expertise, teaching at many Twin City high schools including: Derham Hall and St. Agnes in St. Paul, St. Anthony and St. Margaret Academy in Minneapolis, and St. Mary’s Academy in Graceville, where, in her own words, she had the best two teaching years of her entire religious life. Her time at St. Margaret’s was highlighted by a trip to the U.S.S.R. with a comparative education group visiting communist schools in Leningrad and Moscow.
After teaching, Sister Ursula worked as an office clerk at Quorum Systems in Bloomington, a Project Lookout Security Coordinator for a 21-story high rise, and a grievance hearing officer for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority headquarters.
When asked if she thought she would live to be 100 she said, “Anything’s possible.”
Sister Ursula is preceded in death by her parents James and Kathleen (Duff) Foley, and brother, Richard Foley. She is survived by her cousin James Haight; many second cousins; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights. Memorials preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries Foundation.
Dear Sister Ursula, rest in love and peace.