SLs

October 11, 1919 – March 14, 2014

Sister Charles Maureen Walker’s life closely follows the lives of early Loretto school-women from the Kentucky Holy Land. Baptized Mary Virginia at St. Charles Church, near Little Loretto, she grew up in the town of Loretto, the oldest child of her mother, Sadie–Mary Sarah O’Daniel, who married Charles Thomas Walker and raised his two daughters and the seven children they had together. Charles was the barber in Loretto for 39 years and their children attended Loretto Public School with the Sisters of Loretto. Mary Virginia began high school with the Ursuline Sisters at St. Francis in Chicago, Kentucky (just west of Loretto on the railroad line).

June 2, 1928 – March 10, 2014

Mary Jane Richardson was born to Catholic Kentuckians Roy Clinton Richardson and Elsie Margaret Kippes Richardson in Louisville Kentucky, where she grew up in St. Benedict’s Parish, the sixth child and only girl in a family with eight brothers, one of whom died in childhood. Jane was taught from the beginning by Loretto Sisters, at St. Benedict’s Elementary and Loretto High School, Louisville. She entered Loretto immediately after high school, receiving the habit and the name Sister Jane Marie on April 25, 1947.

November 11, 1925—February 16, 2014

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, to Leo James and Mary Sonefeld White, the daughter who would become Sister Ann White was baptized Mary Inez. In an autobiographical sketch written in the late 1980s, Ann called herself “a first generation Kentuckian, since my parents were transferred to Louisville from Grand Rapids, Michigan.” Little Inez began elementary school at St. Vincent DePaul parish, but moved with her family after just one month to Louisville’s west end, where she was enrolled at Christ the King School even though her family lived outside the parish bounds.

July 31, 1920 – November 29, 2013

I have never been in a place that I haven’t fallen in love with, have never had any living experiences except happy ones. I have continued to LOVE the sisters. When choices became ours to make, I chose Santa Clara, then I chose Denver and now I am basking in my last choice, life once again at Loretto in Kentucky. This just might be the second-best choice of my life. Second, because going to Loretto in 1942 was my first, best choice.

December 29, 1932 – October 29, 2013

“I still share my nursing a little with older sisters. Since returning to the Motherhouse, I have added pastoral care to my experience. As part of a team, I take communion to the sisters in our infirmary. I pray with two groups. To others I offer some time of presence with them.” Serving the people of God was always Julia’s goal. Loretto joins many others in saying Thank you, Sister Julia Anne, for your many years of faithful service.

April 28, 1915—September 10, 2013

“Her lust for life was catching – to Frank, everything and every day was an adventure! Her love of family and the neighbors was legendary and there was never a closed door when a stray animal happened to be lucky enough to stop by her door …When she arrived on God’s doorstep, I’m sure there was great rejoicing at the return of one of God’s finest.”

April 13, 1915—August 29, 2013

“When Alice Eugene celebrated her 75th anniversary in 2008, she invited all of her former students..Many played and gave tribute to Alice Eugene, naming all the life lessons she had taught them along with the music. They said what a reflection of God she was for them.”

November 11, 1921—August 11, 2013

Agnes Marie enjoyed a forty-year career as an elementary school teacher and principal, beginning with a year in St. Louis, then serving almost entirely in the West. She completed her very active career as a volunteer for the Spirituality Center and as sacristan for the Denver Center community.

July 23, 1920 – April 30, 2013

Her gracious optimism and encouragement and her concern for the poor and the disadvantaged are as much a part of her as the joy she emanates when she speaks of Loretto, her classmates, her communities through the years, her associations, her memories.

August 20, 1933 – April 23, 2013

A noted liturgist, teacher and school and parish administrator, Sister Georgeann “was ‘our good company,’ as she contributed not only her liturgical gifts, but also her deep dedication to Loretto and to all that the Community values and loves.”

March 3, 1920—February 23, 2013

Ann Pat, as we called her, had a distinguished scholarly career as well as an esteemed Loretto career. Many of us have lost a true friend, and Loretto has lost a giant. Nevertheless, we will count on her continued presence among us.

December 24, 1923—February 9, 2013

“The most traumatic change in my “being” began with a decision… to assume responsibility for what was happening in my life and around me, and to confront injustice wherever I found it. This changed my approach to teaching and eventually led to my active role in the civil rights movement: forming a teachers’ association in the Colorado parochial school and negotiating teacher contracts with the Archdiocese.”