Sister M. Dominica Wise

Sister Mary Dominica Wise, a member of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent for 75 years, died July 22, 2023. She was 92 years old.

Marion Louise was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 8, 1931 to Robert and Christine Wise.  With her mother, sister and brother, she entered the Catholic Church at the age of 11 and began attending St Andrew’s Cathedral School, where she first met the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters. When the family moved to California, she attended a Dominican boarding school near San Francisco. After graduating from 8th grade, she returned to Arkansas to enter Holy Angels Academy. A year later, in 1948, she entered the convent. She made First Vows in 1950 and Perpetual Vows in 1954.

Sister Dominica spent her first years as a Sister cooking for the convent, St Bernards Hospital,  different mission houses, and for 9 years at the diocesan seminary in Little Rock. After this, she served at St Andrew’s Daycare in Little Rock, later Little Angels Day Care as cook, teacher and director for 40 years. During this time she also earned her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2020, she celebrated 70 years of religious life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Odis Self, Jr.; sister, Thelma Jean Poirier; and niece, Ellen Marie Poirier.

She is survived by her Sisters in community; her brother, Robert Wise; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Holy Angels Convent on Monday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m., with the Rosary and Night Prayer at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel, and interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery on the convent grounds. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holy Angels Convent Retirement Fund, 1699 CR 766, Jonesboro, AR, 72405.