Cara Lee Foley

Sister Cara Lee (Thomas Maureen) Foley, of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, died April 28, 2014, at Brookdale Place at Harbor Glen in Spokane. She was 78.

Cara Lee was born March 12, 1936, in Spirit Lake, Idaho, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Bubb Foley. Her mother died in 1945, leaving Cara Lee and her two sisters. Her father married again, and their blended family eventually numbered nine siblings.

She attended school in Spirit Lake and Columbia Falls until transferring to Holy Names Academy as a boarder for her final two years of high school, graduating in 1954.  

She joined the Sisters of the Holy Names that year and began her college education. She earned a bachelor’s in chemistry and theology from Marylhurst College, and a master’s and doctorate in sacred doctrine from St. Mary’s Notre Dame.

Her ministries were mostly at the college level in both teaching and administration at Fort Wright College and Carroll College. She was selected for leadership in her religious community from 1992 to1996, after which she returned to Carroll College. She also served as an English as a second language instructor at Heritage College for a short time. Sister Cara Lee loved to be of service and was every bit a musician.

 By the year 2000, it was clear that her health would limit her ministries and her life significantly. She retired to the convent in Spokane when her need for support increased. Although she lived with Alzheimer’s disease for nearly 15 years, for as long as she could, Cara Lee went to the family resort in Martin City to assist during the summer months, cleaning cabins and making beds, and spending time with her stepmother and sisters.

Cara Lee was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Margaret Foley; brother Thomas Murphy Foley; and stepmother Edna Rose Foley.

She is survived by her siblings Mary Elizabeth Ban, of Martin City, Hugh Foley and Birgit, of Eugene, Ore., Margaret Harkins and Jim, of Martin City, Marion Foley, of Martin City, Rosemary Mattick and Ed Casey, of Seattle, Doyle Foley and Ginny, of Martin City, and Kate Foley and John Helton, of Martin City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Resurrection took place at Convent of the Holy Names in Spokane on May 2, 2014.  

Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane WA 99224.