Sister of the Holy Names Betty McLellan (Sister M. John Daniel) died Saturday, May 25, 2024
at South Hill Village in Spokane, Washington. Sister Betty was born October 31, 1927 to John
D. McLellan and Elizabeth McCann McLellan in Butte, Montana, and was baptized and
received her First Communion at Sacred Heart Parish. Following her mother's death in
October, 1934, Betty lived in Ireland with her mother's sisters and while there was confirmed at
St. Columba Parish. Betty returned to Butte, and completed her elementary and high school
education in Butte. It was when she enrolled at Holy Names College (Spokane) that Betty met
the Sisters of the Holy Names and where in the spring of 1950 she completed her Bachelor's
Degree in Education. On July 25 of that same year, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of
the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at Marylhurst, Oregon. In February of 1951, Betty was
given her religious name, Sister M. John Daniel and received her Holy Habit; she pronounced
perpetual vows in August of 1957.
Sister Betty was an educator whose ministries focused in two main areas: elementary
education in parish schools and the Associates' program for the Sisters of the Holy Names of
the then Washington Province. Having completed her college education before entering the
novitiate, Sister Betty began her teaching career while a postulant. She would tell of riding the
bus into Portland's Holy Redeemer Parish to teach first grade during the week and returning to
Marylhurst on Friday afternoons to attend formation classes. She delighted in, and made lasting
impressions on, her first graders in parish schools in Portland, Spokane, Eugene, Richland,
Seattle, and Auburn. She was the founding principal of Holy Family School (Auburn) and there
was assigned as superior of a local community for the first time. Her final years as teacher and

principal were dedicated to providing leadership at Sacred Heart's Cataldo School as Spokane
parishes consolidated their elementary programs. During her years of teaching, she completed a
Masters of Arts in English from Gonzaga University. Bidding farewell to the classroom, she
was soon on her way to visit family in Texas and to a much deserved sabbatical. Her return to
Spokane began the second focus of Sister Betty's life of ministry. Her leadership skills were
now called upon as Director of the Heritage and Horizons Program (Fort Wright College,
Spokane) and in 1986 began her years as Director of the Associate Program for the Sisters of
the Holy Names.
An outline of Sister Betty's ministerial life in no way captures the myriad friendships she
shared with people over her long life. Her spiritual influence and sensitivity to the needs of
others, plus her desire and ability to meet those needs was paramount for her. Her view of life
was expansive and all-inclusive, and all who came to know her were soon in her sphere of
concern and in her prayer. Sister Betty's enduring impact on others was for one to know they
were respected, valued, and loved unconditionally. Her abiding love for her community, her
family and friends can be gleaned from the many memorable reflections she wrote and
presented at funerals, jubilee celebrations or community functions which captured in words the
person/s or event being honored.
Sister Betty is preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth McLellan, her brother
and sister-in-law John and Marie McLellan, and her grand-niece Kathryn McLellan. Sister
Betty is survived by her McLellan nephews: Michael (Donna), Patrick (Anne Martt), Neil
(Ruby), and Dan (Noma), grand-nephews Keith (Elizabeth) and Sean, grand-nieces Aili and
Kelsey McLellan, and Bob (Karen) Williams, the families of Bill and Patricia DeVries

(Spokane) and Mary B. Riordan (Butte) of which Sr. Betty was an honorary member, the Sisters
and Associates of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and friends too numerous to count. The
Sisters wish to thank Sister Betty's caregivers from Love At Home, especially Heather and
Sarah, and the staff of South Hill Village for their care of Sister Betty during her ten year
residency.
Sister Betty's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, June 22 2024, 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart
Parish, 219 E Rockwood Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202. Burial the same day is at 2:00 PM at
Holy Cross Cemetery 7200 N Wall Street, Spokane, WA 99208.

Memorial gifts may be made to Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, PO Box 398,
Marylhurst, OR, 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.