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Mary E. Tracy, SNJM

Sister Mary Tracy grew up in Spokane where her family was a member of St. Aloysius Parish for 47 years. Her parents, Gene and Elizabeth, understood the importance of a Catholic education and sacrificed to provide that for their three children, Gene, Mary and Alice.

She attended St. Al’s grade school, Marycliff High School and Fort Wright College. While in college, Mary joined the Sisters of the Holy Names. Mary earned an MA in American Literature from the University of Washington, writing her thesis on William Faulkner’s novel Light in August.

Mary’s commitment to the Church concentrated in three priorities: Catholic high school education, Catholic philanthropy and Catholic foundation.

Mary served at Holy Names Academy in Seattle for 20 years, 15 of those as principal. She also served as president of Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish, Washington, for five years. She then moved to Washington, DC, where she joined the National Catholic Educational Association where she worked for 15 years in two roles, first as associate executive director of secondary schools and then as director of advancement services. Mary provided counsel to schools in their emerging and established development programs including strategic planning, annual fund, and capital campaign.

Mary currently carries out her ministry as executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Washington. Her office at the Chancery is directly across the street from her eighth-grade classroom at St. Al’s!

During her Jubilee year, Sister Mary wants to express deep gratitude to her family and community for their unwavering shared faith commitment and support.