Sister Cecilia Flores

Sister Cecilia Flores, OP, (Mary Francene) died peacefully at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle on December 17, 2023. A native of Bakersfield, California, she was born on May 23, 1930 to Mariano Flores and Porfina Romero Flores. She graduated in 1948 in the first graduating class at Garces Memorial High School.

She entered the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma in July of 1948 and made her first profession in 1950 and her final profession in 1953.  In addition to Tacoma Catholic College, she attended and received her BA degree from Central Washington State University (then College)

Sister ministered in Washington and California for over 60 years and retired to St. Joseph Residence in 2011.  She taught at St. Mary’s in Centralia, Holy Rosary, Seattle, and St. Francis Grade School and Garces Memorial High School from 1950-1960.  Sister Cecilia also taught at Yakima Central Catholic High School from 1960 – 1966.

Sister Cecilia was committed to Hispanic Ministry and to children.  From 1969-1974 she was involved with Nuestos Pequenos Hermanos orphanage in Mexico.  She returned to the Northwest in 1974 and worked in the Sunnyside School District until 1980 and for the Diocese of Yakima in Hispanic ministry from 1980-1985.

Sister then moved to San Ysidro, CA to be a member of the community with Sisters Roseann Cordova and Nora Murphy.  During that time, she worked at Casa Familiar, a social service and education entity for the Hispanic Community.

She is survived by her sister Marian Flores Wilson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at St. Joseph Residence 4800 37th Ave SW, Seattle. The Vigil will be on December 28 at 2:00 PM and a Mass of Resurrection on December 29, at 11:00 AM.  Both services will be held in the Chapel.   Online condolences and more information on her life can be found at www.gaffneycares.com .  Memorial donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund at 935 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402

Services are under the direction of Gaffney Funeral Home, Tacoma.