CLINTON — Sister Celeste Hanigan, OSF, 86, a former teacher in the Diocese of Davenport, died Nov. 30 in Escondido, California.
Celeste Hanigan was born Oct. 3, 1933, in Spalding, Nebraska, the daughter of John and Kathleen (Sullivan) Hanigan. She was baptized Dolores Theresa. She attended St. Rose of Lima Grade School and Denison Public High School in Denison, Iowa. After graduation, she attended Mount St. Clare College in Clinton for two years before entering the Sisters of St. Francis on Sept. 8, 1954. She received the name Mary Celeste at her reception June 16, 1955, made her first profession Aug. 12, 1957, and her final profession Aug. 12, 1960.
Sister Hanigan earned a bachelor’s degree from Creighton University in Omaha with a major in history and a minor in education. She taught in several parish schools in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, including St. Boniface in Clinton and St. Rose of Lima in Denison. After completing master’s degrees in elementary school administration and pastoral ministry, she served in leadership roles as school principal, director of religious education, pastoral associate, and coordinator of adult faith formation in Iowa and California.
After retiring in 2009, she became the Sisters of St. Francis Associate Partnership Coordinator, serving in this role until 2011. Using various resources, Sister Hanigan developed a 10-week course for people searching for ways to become peacemakers. She resided in San Marcos, California, and continued to share her faith and wisdom with numerous friends and associates until her death.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Dec. 19 at The Canticle, 841 13th Ave. N. in Clinton. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Dec. 20 at The Canticle. Burial will be in St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery, Clinton.
