Tamara Von Gemmingen
Story Created:
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:17 AM AKDT
Story Updated:
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:17 AM AKDT
The Rev. Stephen Chrysler McCabe, O.P., died Feb. 26, 2008, at Alaska Regional Hospital. He was 75. He was a Dominican friar and had lived in Anchorage since 1996, when poor health prompted him to retire from active pastoral duties.
Stephen was born June 1, 1932, in Belfield, N.D., to John Michael McCabe and Marion Chrysler McCabe. His family moved to Medford, Ore., in 1940, and he attended Medford schools, graduating from Medford Senior High in 1950.
Throughout life he was burdened with chronic health problems that prompted his transfer from Georgetown University to the University of Oregon and ultimately to Santa Clara University, where he graduated in 1955. In 1956, he responded to a vocation by entering the Dominican Novitiate at Saint Albert's College in Oakland, Calif., thus commencing the process that culminated in his ordination as a Catholic priest in December 1962.
After his graduate study and initial assignments at Dominican University and priories in Berkeley and Seattle, his talent for administration resulted in a long tenure at the Provincial offices in Oakland, where he served from 1975 to 1985 as prior, vicar provincial and prior provincial. From his very happy collegiate experience at Santa Clara through the conclusion of his term as elected prior provincial of the Western Dominican Province, he was very much rooted in the spiritual, intellectual and cultural life of the Bay area.
Blessed with a keen intellect, fierce wit and prodigious memory for both substance and trivia, Father McCabe had a remarkable talent for forming and maintaining friendships. Some were based on a mutual love and appreciation for classical and operatic music. This was an abiding interest that preoccupied Stephen from early childhood.
However, music was not the only bonding agent, nor does it explain the wide spectrum of friends, rich and poor, intellectual and not, young and old, whom Stephen loved and treasured and who are deeply saddened by his death. One spoke for many, declaring that he would "give anything for one more chat with Stephen."
His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his two sisters, Eleanor Cooney of Medford, Ore., and Sylvia Wade of Anchorage; and five nieces and four nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dominican Mission Foundation, P.O. Box 15367, San Francisco, Calif. 94115-0367.
