Sister Marie Goretti Browning

Sister Marie Goretti Browning, OSU

Sister Marie Goretti Browning, 91, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 74th year of religious life. She was a native of Calvary.

Sister Marie Goretti was a gentle and prayerful woman, always ready with a smile and a kind word. She had one of the most varied ministry careers of any Ursuline Sister.

She served in several roles at the Motherhouse, first as director of novices from 1970-80. She was elected three times to leadership, serving as a Council member in 1972-76 and 2000-2004, and assistant superior, 1980-84. She was director of the Mount Saint Joseph Retreat Center, 1988-94, and director of pastoral care at Saint Joseph Villa until retiring in 2009. 

She served as administrative assistant at Brescia College (1984-85). She was parish coordinator for Immaculate Church, Owensboro (1985-88), director of faith formation for St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sorgho (2004-07), and pastoral associate for St. John the Baptist Church, Fordsville (1999-2000). She also ministered in Paducah, Louisville, and Missouri. 

Survivors include the members of her religious community; her sister, Ursuline Sister Clarita Browning of Maple Mount; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Mary Agnes Browning; and her siblings Father Lawrence Browning CP, Father William Browning CP, Emma Rita Newdecker, Josephine Browning and Agnes Marie Watts.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation will begin Wednesday at 4 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m.

Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, is handling arrangements.

Gifts in memory of Sister Marie Goretti may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.