Dominican Sister of Peace Elizabeth Chickory, OP, (90), a native of Astoria, NY, died on April 30, at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH.
Sr. Elizabeth, born in 1935 to Elizabeth Campbell and Joseph Chickory, entered the Congregation in 1953. She made her first profession in 1955 and professed final vows in 1958. Last year, she celebrated her 70th Jubilee of religious life.
Sr. Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Mary of the Springs College, now Ohio Dominican University, and a master’s degree in Library Science from Duquesne University. She ministered as an elementary school teacher in Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania; as a high school librarian in Connecticut and Pennsylvania; and later as Assistant Director of Human Resources for the Dominican Sisters.
After earning certification in Pastoral Ministry for the Elderly, Sr. Elizabeth, affectionately known as Liz, devoted herself to serving residents and staff in community and senior centers. She deeply loved this ministry and once reflected, “I’ve always had an interest in the elderly. When I was a kid, I was always doing something for the older folks in the building where we lived.”
In her letter to the Congregation, Sr. Pat Twohill remembered Sr. Liz as “someone who carried her wry sense of humor and deep hospitality wherever she went.” When she moved from the East Coast to the Columbus Motherhouse, she quickly became a beloved presence, known for the humorous and gently satirical poems she wrote and performed.
She took special care in welcoming new residents, often guiding them through the Motherhouse and helping them feel at home. Sr. Pat also recalled Liz’s particular kindness toward the Sister-students from Africa, some of whom lovingly came to know her as a second mother.
In her reflection at her funeral, Sr. Carole Hermann said, “Long before we officially became Dominican Sisters of Peace in 2009, Liz was already a sister of peace.” She remembered Sr. Liz as a woman of deep faith, kindness, humor, and compassion whose life reflected her desire ‘to build peace, preach peace and be peace with and to each of us and to all the people that she encountered in her life and her various ministries.’
Sister Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Campbell Chickory, her brothers Joe and Thomas Chickory, and her sister Ellen Menton. She is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, who visited her with great consistency and care, and by many dear friends and Sisters in the congregation.
A wake service with evening prayer and sharing of memories was held May 6, followed by the Mass of Resurrection and burial on May 7 at St. Joseph Cemetery. Services took place at the Columbus Motherhouse Chapel.
Memorial gifts in Sister Elizabeth’s memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.
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