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Sister Mary Mark Dede: God’s Grace for Today

It was 1962. Just before her fifth-grade year, Marijo Rigsby’s mother died. Her teacher at Holy Family School in New Albany, Indiana, Sister Mary Mark Dede, SP, was there for her.

“She basically took me under her wing. She became like a mom to me. She and my dad discussed how to raise me. Sister Mary Mark and I have been very close since,” Marijo said.

Marijo’s class ended up having Sister Mary Mark as a teacher for fifth, sixth and seventh grades! “They got promoted and I got promoted,” Sister Mary Mark said.

“She taught me how to be a Catholic. She taught me a lot about how to think on my own,” Marijo said.

The Dede parents received medals from the Pope celebrating all eight children having entered religious life. From left, Sisters Patricia and Eileen, Father Jim, Sister Mary Mark, Mother (Helena), Father John, Dad (Arthur), Sister Kathleen, Father Paul and Sister Angele.

A Family of Religious Life

Today, Sister Mary Mark, at 96, is the fourth oldest living Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She is also the oldest living sibling in her family. Of eight siblings, all eight became either Catholic priests or Catholic sisters. Sisters Eileen and Kathleen Dede, also Sisters of Providence, live at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Sister Patricia Dede, a Sister of St. Benedict, resides in Beech Grove, Indiana.

Raised in Terre Haute, Indiana, Sister Mary Mark said the Sisters of Providence were always part of her life. They taught her family at St. Ann’s School. And, since sisters didn’t drive at the time, her dad was basically their chauffeur. Like her older sister before her, Sister Mary Mark attended high school at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and entered the Congregation right after.

“There’s a feeling inside of you that you can’t express but you know it’s there,” she said of God’s nudge.

“And, our parents did not encourage us. They just said yes. And that was part of their faith,” she said. In fact, her mother, an educator, did not understand why her children would choose religious life, “but her faith in God’s will was strong.”

“The Sisters of Providence seemed so human. We felt close to them,” Sister Mary Mark explains.

Sister Mary Mark Dede prays in the sunroom in Lourdes Hall.

A Family of Devotion

Sister Mary Mark taught elementary grades from the 1950s until the early 1970s when her father suffered a severe stroke and was bedridden.

Someone needed to care for him, and Sister Mary Mark was nearby teaching. Community rules had relaxed to the point that sisters could visit their parents’ home, but they could not yet spend the night.

Since all her parents’ children had become either priests or sisters, there was no one to care for her father. Sister Mary Mark was prepared to take a leave of absence.

But the General Council allowed her to live with her parents and care for her father.

Sister Mary Mark is proud of this, as it opened the door for many other sisters to be able to care for their aging parents.

Sister Mary Mark’s father needed constant care, as he was expected to live for six months. He lived for five years. “I think it was because he was home,” she said. Difficult as it was, she is grateful for that time.

 “You receive the graces that you need at the time. I think God gives us the grace we need that day. Not tomorrow but that day,” she said.

A Family Embraced by Grace

And that experience led Sister Mary Mark to her next and favorite ministry, that of hospital chaplain.

In this role, Sister Mary Mark journeyed with people, being present and listening.

Being with so many people as they died, “I just felt privileged,” she said.

Marijo said Sister Mary Mark really found her niche as a chaplain. “She was very empathetic to people. She saw through your outer layers to the real person,” she said.

These days Sister Mary Mark is enjoying retirement.

“You have more time for prayer. This is the best prayerful time in my life,” she says.

Sister Mary Mark said she is happy with the way religious life changed throughout her lifetime. She thinks life as a woman religious is still important.

“Sometimes we’re the last hope for people,” she said.

Marijo is also thankful for the role of Catholic sisters in her life. She and four of her classmates come to the Woods often to visit Sister Mary Mark.

“I have no words that can actually express how much Sister Mary Mark means in my life and how much I love her,” said Marijo, choking up with emotion.

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Amy Miranda

Amy Miranda

Amy Miranda is a Providence Associate of the Sisters of Providence and a staff member in their Mission Advancement office. Amy is a 1998 graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. After serving in marketing and communication for the Sisters of Providence for nearly 25 years, Amy now serves as the Congregation's annual giving manager.

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7 Comments

  1. Avatar Lorraine Kirker PA on October 29, 2024 at 6:28 am

    Wonderful article about my beloved second grade teacher in Somerville, MA. So grateful I have been able to reconnect with her in recent years. A true blessing of Providence. Love you Sister Mary Mark.

  2. Avatar Deb Griffey on October 29, 2024 at 7:54 am

    What a heartfelt story of dedication and love for people that Sister Mary Mark has. Thank you for writing this, Amy, and thank you, Sister, for your lifetime dedication of love of others.

  3. Avatar Diane Weidenbenner on October 29, 2024 at 9:55 am

    I love learning more about the sisters’ ministries and lives. It’s fascinating to me that all the Dede children became vowed religious. Sister Mary Mark is such a delight to be around, and an inspiration. I can’t believe she’s 96! Thank you for a wonderful article.

  4. Avatar Jane O’Brien on October 29, 2024 at 11:56 am

    I love reading these stories of call and ministry! Thank you, Amy, for writing this and sharing it.

  5. Avatar Jenny Nowalk on October 30, 2024 at 9:49 am

    This really lifts my spirits this morning!

  6. Avatar Editha Ben on October 30, 2024 at 2:09 pm

    It’s a very inspiring vocation story! Thanks, Mary Mark and Amy.

  7. Avatar Bill Bramble on October 31, 2024 at 2:18 pm

    Sister Mary Mark is my God Mother. I love her dearly. The Dedes grew up with my parents, aunts and uncles on the avenues in Terre Haute. Thank you for the article. It made my day.

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