Topic archive

CoLs

For more than 40 years, Loretto Co-members have enriched the life of Loretto. Their presence is reflected in relationships, service on committees, financial support and participating in the many missions of Loretto. Learn more about the Co-Members of Loretto.

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Remembrance of the Life of Mary Louise Pope Clute CoL

Mary Pope Clute was born in Harlan, Ky. Her father, Charles Pope, met Louise Arrowood, a nurse from Mars Hill, N.C., while he was recovering in Harlan Hospital from an emergency appendectomy. They fell in love and were married the next…

The Formation of a Class of Co-Members

By the Study Group CIP Class of 2015 Sometime late in the year 2012, at the suggestion of Mary Ken Lewis, a small group of vowed members from Loretto Motherhouse and prospective co-members who live in the area (including Louisville…

Loretto Community
June 10, 2015
CoLs

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Remembrance of the Life of Michelle Tooley CoL

Michelle Tooley was born in Lufkin, Texas, the oldest of four children. In her application for Loretto co-membership, Michelle wrote about her growing up as “a daughter of the South. My early years were spent in several small Texas towns…

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Remembrance of the Life of Harriet (Tip) Barker Altmix CoL

After 94 years of enjoying life, Harriet (Tip) Barker Altmix CoL died on March 15, 2015. Tip was born in Denver, Colo., to Charles and Harriet Barker in 1921 and grew up the sixth of seven children. She loved learning…

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Remembrance of the Life of Brian Hammond CoL

Brian Hammond was born in 1943, the older of two boys only 14 months apart. When Brian was 9 his father became seriously ill, and three years later his father died. Brian became the “man of the house” and took…

A woman with short brown hair and round wire glasses smiles for a picture wearing a white lacy blouse, a string of pearls necklace, and a pink rose boutonnière.

Remembrance of the Life of Margaret Drury CoL

Margaret Cotillion Powell was born at home in Loretto, Ky. Margaret’s father Robert Powell was killed at the railroad tracks in Loretto before she was born. Her mother, Jane Elizabeth Miles Powell raised Margaret and her eight brothers and sisters…

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Remembrance of the Life of Don McCloskey CoL

Don McCloskey approached his death like he had learned to approach each day of his life: open, present, feeling his feelings, communicating from the heart, eliciting an ever-deepening awareness and shared acceptance tinged with hope. How did he get that way? He…

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Remembrance of the Life of Jim Schumacher CoL

Co-member Jim Schumacher, husband of co-member Mary Roberts, died the morning of Nov. 2 after a long illness. Jim was born in St Louis, the fourth of five children of George J. and Louise Bender Schumacher. He and his wife, Mary Ann Roberts, the former Loretto Sister Marian Jeanne, became Co-members in 2004.

Mary Ann Lovett Returns to Loretto as a Co-member

By Mary Catherine Rabbitt No one has taken the task of becoming a Loretto Co-member more seriously or intently than Mary Ann Lovett! Mary Ann DeBaggio Lovett first met the Sisters of Loretto at St. Ann’s Grade School in Arlington,…

Remembrance of the life of Marita Michenfelder Woodruff CoL

December 7, 1927 — February 17, 2014

Marita Woodruff was the second of five children of Albert and Ruth Donahue Michenfelder. Baptized Ann Ruth, she attended elementary school at Our Holy Redeemer, just down the street from the family home. Ann graduated from Webster Groves High School and then from Webster College, both also very near the Michenfelder home. According to her sister, Mary Phelan, Marita loved theatre, “She used to give neighborhood plays, and she did theater all through high school and college.”

Remembrance of the Life of Virginia Vobejda, CoL

April 29, 1920-January 31, 2014

Virginia was born April 29, 1920 in Lodgepople, South Dakota. She and six siblings learned much growing up on their South Dakota farm. Their mother died when Virginia, the youngest child, was 13; but Virginia had been gifted with a depth of compassion and wisdom she took with her throughout her life.

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Remembrance of the life of Patricia Ann Winterer Dressler CoL

September 28, 1936—February 23, 2013

“Charity, generosity, understanding (never judgmental) always anticipating the needs of others before her own, were typical of her personality. I can hear God saying ‘Well done, oh good and faithful servant; now enter into My kingdom.'"