Roman Catholic Womanpriest Mary Styne died on May 12, 2010: Mass of Christian Burial in Wisconsin on Sunday May 16, 2010

I attended the funeral and it was a joyous occasion, with the Gospel choirs raising the roof and the funeral director saying at the end to the entire congregation, just before extending the invitation to dinner, that he was "a cradle Catholic, then a lapsed Catholic but now I think I could find a home in this Catholic church!" He got a round of applause!

Regina Nicolosi, bishop of the Midwest Region, and Barbara Zeman, a priest from the Great Waters Region, presided together.

It was noted by the funeral director that unlike the position for "lay people" with their feet to the altar, Mary's casket would be turned so her head was toward the altar, as is the case with all Catholic Priests. (I had never heard about this practice before, but it obviously was important to this undertaker to honor Mary in this way.)

Alice Iaquinta, RCWP

Mary Styne Obituary
Styne, Rev. Mary, RCWP Roman Catholic Woman Priest. Rev. Styne was ordained to the priesthood in Aug. 2009. She went home to be with her Creator in the early hours of Wed., May 12, 2010, at the age of 70. She is lovingly survived by her children, Greg (Donna) DiSalvo, Rob DiSalvo and Chris (Bob) Leibham; grandchildren, Jennifer, Robert, Loren, Michael, Natalie, Annie and Malayeah; siblings, Bonnie (Gerald) Puestow, Sandy (Tom) Turowski, Jim (Carol) Styne, Vickie (Ron) Kurtz, Tom (Judy) Styne and Gary (Shelby) Styne, Steve and John Styne. Preceded in death by her son Scott DiSalvo. She is survived by other family and friends, too many to mention. Visitation will be held Sun., May 16, at WISCONSIN MEMORIAL PARK CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES, 13235 W. Capitol Dr., from 11AM-2PM. Mass of Christian Burial Celebrated at 2PM. Private burial. Mom journeyed in this life dedicated to the Catholic faith in various ways. Such as being Director of Education, selling candles to church, becoming a real estate agent, always being a voice for social justice, and ultimately answering the call of her God to serve her faith in complete fullness as priest.

Published in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from May 14 to May 16, 2010