Sr. Theresa Maly Celebrates 70 Years of Faithful Service as a Notre Dame Sister
For Immediate Release (May 27, 2025) Omaha, NE – The Notre Dame Sisters announce the 70th Jubilee of Sr. Theresa Maly, celebrating seven decades of ministry, prophetic witness, and compassionate service. Born in Wahoo, Nebraska, on October 3, 1935, Sr. Theresa entered religious life as a candidate in 1953 and professed her vows on August 13th, 1955.
Her journey began as a student at Notre Dame Academy, where she graduated in June 1953 before entering the candidature. After professing her vows, she pursued education at Duchesne College and began a decades-long ministry in education, pastoral service, formation work, and social justice advocacy.
In her early years, Sr. Theresa taught in schools across Nebraska and Iowa—including Omaha, Weston, Prague, Brainard, Howells, Harlan, and Spillville. Over time, she transitioned into full-time religious education and pastoral ministry, particularly in underserved rural areas.
In the 1980s, Sr. Theresa expanded her ministry to include formation work within the Notre Dame Sisters community. Her spiritual growth was enriched by travel and immersion experiences, including a trip to Nicaragua with the Witness for Peace Delegation in 1984.
Her dedication to underserved people continued when she began serving at the Duchesne Clinic in Kansas City, KS—a medical facility for those without access to healthcare. For seven years, she managed intake, medical records, and daily operations while also volunteering at the Catholic Worker House and accompanying individuals impacted by AIDS through the Good Samaritan Project.
Sr. Theresa’s deep commitment to human dignity led her to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. She was an active member of the Western Missouri Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and witnessed the execution of Michael Roberts in 2001. In 2011, she was arrested at a nonviolent protest at a weapons manufacturing plant in Kansas City, demonstrating willingness to witness for peace.
In her later years, she continued advocacy through groups like MAOP (Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty), SURJ (Stand Up for Racial Justice), PeaceWorks, and Stand Up KC. She also served as a child services specialist with UNBOUND, an international organization supporting children worldwide.
Even after her formal retirement in 2020, Sr. Theresa remained a strong voice for justice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she supported vulnerable populations through phone ministry and online advocacy, while dedicating herself to further study on systemic racism, white supremacy, and theologies of liberation.
In 2024, Sr. Theresa moved to Immanuel Village in Omaha, where she now resides, continuing to demonstrate concern for the dignity of each person she meets.
The Notre Dame Sisters honor Sister Theresa’s 70 years of vowed life with deep gratitude.
About The Notre Dame Sisters
We are a group of consecrated Catholic women dedicated to serving God, each other and our world. Through our service and ministries, we strive to meet the unmet needs of those in our community and throughout the world. As we continue to respond to the call of Christ as women of faith and prayer, we commit ourselves to building a world Christian community in joyful, loving service to others. We have served in Omaha for more than 100 years, mostly as educators, nurses, and social workers.