Sr. Cecilia Soreghan
November 21, 1923 ~ February 23, 2012
Sister Cecilia Soreghan, RSM, age 88, died on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at Mercy Hallmar Care Center in Cedar Rapids after a lengthy illness. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012, at the Sacred Heart Convent Chapel in Cedar Rapids by Rev. David Ambrosy. Burial will follow the funeral service at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Friends may call 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at Sacred Heart Convent in Cedar Rapids with a wake service at 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Sister Cecilia was born in Portland, Ore., the daughter of Frank and Rozella Carberry Soreghan. She attended elementary school at St. Agatha's in Portland, Ore. before her family moved to Ames, Iowa where she attended St. Cecilia School. Sister Cecilia graduated from Ames High School in 1940, and entered the Sisters of Mercy Cedar Rapids Community in 1942. She attended Mount Mercy Junior College in Cedar Rapids and Loras College in Dubuque. Her love for music at an early age led her to receive both a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music from the University of Iowa and a lifetime ministry in music. Sister Cecilia began her ministry teaching music education at St. John's School in Clarion; St. Patrick's School in Anamosa; St. Joseph's School in Marion and All Saints, Immaculate Conception and Regis High School all in Cedar Rapids. In 1974, Sister Cecilia learned the art of translating music scores to Braille and worked for a specialized firm in Los Angeles that converted music for sight-impaired classical and contemporary musicians. In 1978, she cared for her mother and taught music at the Cathedral School in Los Angeles and St. Augustine in Culver City, Calif. Sister Cecilia retired and returned to Cedar Rapids in 1992, where she shared her musical talent with the Sisters of Mercy, serving as a musician and liturgist at Sacred Heart Convent for many years until her health no longer allowed her to do so. Sister Cecilia was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Phyllis. In addition to the Sisters of Mercy she is survived by her brother, Frank Soreghan of Los Angeles, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Mercy at 1125 Prairie Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
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Sister Cecilia, my prayer partner,
I rely on your prayers even more now! May the angles carry you singing into the presence of our loving God.
Thank you for your years of wonderful inspiration as a musician and then a Sister of Mercy!
Dear brother Frank and family, and dear Sisters,
My prayers are with you now that Sister Cecilia has come to her true home with God. As a musician, I will sing praises to God for her dedicated life, her spirit of charity and mercy, her devotion to family. As also a Portland-born Sister of Mercy, I feel proud of her witness to goodness and joy in her ministry. Blessings to all who knew her and will miss her.
Sister Mary Cecelia,
You were and will always be an inpiration. Remember us.
MY LOVELY BAND TEACHER
SISTER MARY CECELIA TOOK BOTH MY SISTER AND ME UNDER WING WHILE SHE WAS MUSIC INSTRUCTOR AT I.C. SCHOOL IN CEDAR RAPIDS. SHE WAS SO PATIENT AND SUCH A LOVELY INSPIRATION.
DOLORES LAW MCMULLEN
Sister Cecelia was the guiding hand for the first years of the Regis music department. When we needed a tuba player she told me I’d be the one. And then she taught me to play the tuba. When she wanted a bass player for the orchestra, she taught me to play the bass. She taught all the Breen kids and was an inspiration to all her students. She wrote the school song. She directed The Red Mill. Now she has gone to direct a new choir in heaven before our Father’s throne. RIP Sister and thank you for all the musical memories.
I lived with Sister Cecilia at the Regis Convent from 1967-75. She gave me hope regarding the Church and the Sisters of Mercy. I loved her kindness and quiet spirit.
Those who wish to sing will always find a song.
I first met Cecilia when I was 5 years old, attending I.C. school in Cedar Rapids, Ia. She started me on the violin very young. I continued studing music with her throughout elementary and high school at Regis. When I joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1962, I continued learning with her. I can still play “The Grasshopper” on the piano.
We became friends and fellow teachers at Regis. I traveled with her, and visited her in L.A. when she was caring for her mother. She holds the distinct achievement of teaching music to all 8 of us Breens. My parents adored her, and what she could produce in performances: band, orchestra, vocals, musicals.
She was an extraordinary person. Intelligent, kind, so hard working and dedicated. Loved her wry sense of humor.
I am forever grateful to have known and loved this dear woman. My life is richer for having had he rin my life.
May she rest in peace.
My prayers and care are with the family and friends of Sr. Cecilia. She was a woman gifted in music and our Mercy charism. She graced Regis in its formative period, touching the lives of many future musicians and leaving a legacy of music appreciation in the hearts of many. Her love, devoted friendship and care through music during Sr. Paula’s declining illness can only be received as grace. In gratitude and blessings ~~
I knew Sr. Cecilia since early grade school at I.C. school where she taught me music. Violin, trumpet, trombone, singing, and deep and lasting love for music. She taught all my 7 siblings as well: Mary Beth, Tom, Kevin, Rita Catherine, John, Michael. We are all grateful for our relationships with her. Not only was she a gifted teacher, but was also a fine, intelligent, kind person. A ligth has gone out but will be remembered with fondness.
Janet Colleen Breen