Sr. Mary Otho Ballard, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Mary Otho Ballard, OP (91), a native of Bardstown, Kentucky, died on January 22, 2025, at Sansbury Care Center, St. Catharine, Kentucky.  Sr. Mary Otho is survived by one brother, James Reuben Ballard (Silver Spring, MD), and many nieces and nephews.

A Dominican for 72 years, Sr. Mary Otho earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education/Philosophy/Psychology from Siena College (Memphis, TN) and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Fordham University (Bronx, NY).  She ministered as a teacher at St. Stephen Martyr (Louisville, KY) and St. Mary’s (Bellevue, NE).  Sr. Mary Otho designed the Catechetical Program for Siena College (Memphis, TN) and worked in the diocesan office of religious education in Memphis.  She spent the next five years at Sts. Peter and Paul Church (Danville, KY) where she ministered as a pastoral associate.  Sister travelled to Belize, Central America, where she spent several years as a missionary and pastoral administrator for over 30 villages.  Upon her return, she held several positions within her former congregation, Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine (St. Catharine, KY), relating to Formation and Dominican Life.  She also was pastoral associate for St. Monica Parish in Bardstown, KY.  

In 2010, Sr. Mary Otho moved to St. Catharine Motherhouse (St. Catharine, KY) where she continued to provide community service, and offering Centering Prayer Groups, then in 2023, she moved to Sansbury Care Center (St. Catharine, KY), where she began a ministry of prayer and presence.

Arrangements were handled by Hale–Polin–Robinson Funeral Home in Springfield, Kentucky. Sister had chosen a Green Burial.  She was buried on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery.  The Sharing of Memories followed by the Funeral Mass will be held on January 30, 2025, at 10:00am at St. Catharine, Kentucky.  

Memorial gifts in Sr. Mary Otho’s memory may be sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098. To make a secure online donation or to view a full obituary, please visit www.oppeace.org.