Michael Lovell funeral; Marquette community remembers university president
MILWAUKEE - Mourners came to the Church of the Gesu to remember an educator, a university leader, but most importantly, a husband and father on Thursday, June 20.
Michael Lovell, Marquette University’s president, died Sunday after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 57.
Lovell met his future wife, Amy, while at school in Pittsburgh, on Valentine's Day weekend.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 25: Dr. Michael Lovell, president of Marquette University, looks on in the first half during the game between the DePaul Blue Demons and Marquette Golden Eagles at Fiserv Forum on February 25, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wiscon
"To be honest, I blew him off," she said.
The next day he called, and asked her to go to mass. She declined, but Lovell was persistent.
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The two later went ice skating and the rest is history.
"I believe heaven gained another saint on June 9 in Rome," she said. "I miss him terribly. But I am so grateful for the 36 amazing years with him."
Lovell was elected as Marquette University's 24th president in 2014 – becoming the first lay person to lead the school – after serving as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee chancellor.
Lovell, an avid runner, was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, three years ago.
Lovell, his wife, the Society of Jesus and the Board of Trustees were on a pilgrimage when Lovell fell ill.
Marquette President Lovell dies, UWM chancellor remembers colleague
The community continues to mourn the loss of Marquette University President Michael Lovell, who died Sunday after a years-long cancer battle.
"His last mass was in Gesu church. He was in the place where Ignatius lived, where Ignatius prayed, and where Ignatius died," Marquette University Provost & Acting President Kimo Ah Yun said. "And I think the parallels of where Ignatius was is fitting. He died in Rome, one of the most holy cities, on a Sunday. You can’t script that."
His wife, Amy, said people should try to channel Lovell more often.
"Don't put off what you can do today. Don't judge because you don't know what's going on with someone else," she said. "Find the good. Share your love. Your smile, and don't back down from a challenge."
The celebration of life included a public visitation from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. Mass followed with eulogies. Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki and Rev. Bryan Summers led the service.