Sr. Cathleen Real

Sister Cathleen Real, CHM, 91, died April 11, 2026, at Senior Star Elmore Place, Davenport,

Iowa. Funeral services will be held at Humility of Mary Center, 820 W Central Park Ave, Davenport, Iowa. Tuesday, April 14, 4 p.m. Rosary and Visitation; 6:30 p.m. Vigil/Memorial Service; Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial followed by interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.

Cathleen Clare Real was born June 1, 1934, in Kewanee, Illinois, to Dr. John and Catherine (Breen) Real. She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1953 and professed vows in 1956 as Sister Mary Anne Cathleen.

A gifted scholar, Sister Cathleen earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and chemistry from Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, completed postgraduate study at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, received a master’s degree in mathematics from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, and a PhD in mathematics from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. In 1983, Marycrest College awarded her a Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of her distinguished service in education.

Sister Cathleen devoted her life to higher education and leadership. She served as a mathematics professor at Marycrest College later becoming assistant vice president and then president, 1972–1975. She went on to leadership roles at Schenectady Community College, Schenectady, New York; Barat College, Lake Forest, Illinois; and the College of St. Mary, Omaha, Nebraska, where she served as academic dean and acting president. From 1984 to 1994, she was president of Siena Heights College, Adrian, Michigan. After a sabbatical in Mexico, she served as executive director of the Catherine McCauley Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later as co-director of Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Wheatland, Iowa.

Beyond her professional roles, Sister Cathleen was deeply engaged in religious, academic, and civic leadership. She served as president of the Sisters Council of the Diocese of Davenport, held leadership roles with the National Assembly of Women Religious, and served on the CHM Senate and Executive Committee. Her academic service included participation in numerous higher education organizations, while her civic involvement included board service with businesses and community organizations including Goodwill-Lee County, Michigan ARC, Professional Women’s Network, Family Resource Development Association and United Way, where she served as board president in Lenawee County, Michigan.

Her many honors reflect a lifetime of leadership and service, including recognition from academic associations, civic organizations, and the state of Michigan. She was named Woman of the Year in the Cedar Rapids region in 1997, and in 2009, the Iowa House of Representatives honored her with a Certificate of Recognition. Since 1994, Siena Heights College has offered the Sister Cathleen Real Scholarship, supporting women with financial need in pursuing higher education. Sister Cathleen is remembered as a benevolent and forward-thinking leader. Wherever she worked or lived, she made friends easily and was well-loved.

Sister Cathleen is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Dr. Margaret and Martha, and brothers Jack and Michael. She is survived by her brother Philip and the Sisters and associates of her CHM community. Memorials to Congregation of the Humility of Mary.

Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the community with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.hmdfuneralhome.com