Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mercedes (Mary Meloria) Kucera, 86, died Nov. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1957 and her perpetual profession in 1960. She taught, tutored, served in pastoral care and pastoral ministry, and as switchboard operator, driver, secretary, receptionist and parish volunteer in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mercedes taught at St. Sabina (1963-1969) and tutored in the GED program at the Westside Center (1992-2000). She also served as the secretary in the guidance office at Trinity High School, River Forest (1989-1991) and as receptionist at the Dominican Conference Center, River Forest (1991-1992).