Sister Hilary Mullany, 98, passed away September 24, 2026, at The Alverno in Clinton, IA. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, at The Canticle, 841 13 th Ave N in Clinton, with Rev. Robert McAleer presiding. A livestream link is available on the “In Memory” page at www.clintonfranciscans.com. Visitation will be at The Canticle from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, with a rosary at 3:45 p.m. and wake service at 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery with Pape Funeral Home assisting.
Genevieve Hilary was born on March 4, 1928, in Macomb, IL, the youngest child of Stephen E. and Genevieve (Fitzpatrick) Mullany. She was baptized at St. Paul Church in Macomb on March 18, 1928. She had two brothers, Leo and Stephen W., and two sisters, Margaret and Rosamond. She attended St. Paul Elementary School in Macomb; Mount St. Clare Academy in Clinton; and St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo, IL, graduating in 1945. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Mount St. Clare Convent in Clinton on September 22, 1945. She received the name Sister Mary Hilary at her reception on June 17, 1946. She made her first vows on August 12, 1948, and professed final vows on August 12, 1951. Her novitiate classmates were Sisters Angela Daley and Mary Francis Burke. She earned an A.A. from Mount St. Clare College; a B.A. in Liturgical Music from the University of Montreal; and B.A. and M.F.A. degrees in drama from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. She held an Iowa Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate.
Sister Hilary taught elementary grades in Chicago and Oak Lawn, IL, and in Clinton and Danbury, IA. She served for sixteen years as a teacher of speech and drama at Mount St. Clare Academy and College. She directed numerous plays, musicals, and recitals. For thirteen years, she served as media coordinator for the Diocese of Davenport and co-produced half-hour television programs entitled, “Real to Reel.” Sister Hilary served on the General Council of the Sisters of St. Francis from 1984 to 1992, and as Vice President from 1988 to 1992. She returned to Mount St. Clare College (and its predecessors) and served as Assistant to the President, Director of Community Affairs and Continuing Education, Director of Life-Long Learning, and Coordinator of Cultural Activities. She also worked part-time as Alumni Counselor and Director of Communications. She retired in 2008.
She received the Poverello Award in 2002 for distinguished service to society awarded by the Mount St. Clare board of trustees. In 2005, the theater at Ashford University was renamed the Sister Hilary Mullany Theater in her honor. In 2007, she was named the YWCA Clinton Woman of Achievement. Sister Hilary served on the board of the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre and performed in some of its productions. She was also a guest performer at the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL. She was a founding member of Sisters United News of the Upper Mississippi Valley. Additionally, she served on the following boards:
Davenport Diocese Communications Advisory Board, Diocesan Catholic Relief Service, Campaign for Human Development Advisory Board, Diocesan Social Action Committee, Clinton Community Theatre, River Cities Arts Alive Council, and the Alverno Health Care Facility.
In the words of one of her former students, Sister Hilary had the “uncanny ability to entertain by mere presence.” A keen mind, a wonderful sense of humor, and an unflinching faith in God fueled her energy and ambition to take the Gospel wherever she went. Sister Hilary moved to The Alverno in April 2024 and remained there until her death on September 24, 2026.
Sister Hilary is survived by several nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Francis with whom she shared life for 81 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Leo (Loretta) and Stephen W. (Rosemary); and sisters, Margaret Mary (Peter) Kerensky and Rosamond “Dode” (Raymond) Shepherd.
