Sr. Stella made her religious profession on June 24,1934. Her love for reading called her to be a librarian. She served the Fort Smith Library from 1978 to 1984, and was a part-time librarian at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center from 1984 to 1993.
Her monastic career also involved teaching grade school and high school levels in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas.
She is survived by a sister, Mildred Pugh of Stigler, OK; and sisters of her religious community.
After making her final profession on June 24, 1932, Sr. Mary Paul had a varied career in her monastic life. She served as housekeeper for sisters on mission, cooked at our Orphanage, but her favorite work was nursing. After earning her LPN degree, she was a most conscientious care-taker, often working after hours to be certain her patients were as comfortable as possible. Sr. Mary Paul was also a particularly generous person and loved sharing whatever she had, even if it was only a hug, smile or words of encouragement to those with whom she came in contact.
Sr. Mary Paul is survived by two sisters, Sr. Elizabeth Rossi of St. Scholastica Monastery, and Bernardine Noll of Morrilton; a sister-in-law, Delores Rossi Olshove of Center Ridge; two brothers, Angelo Rossi of Jacksonville and Pete Rossi of Center Ridge; numerous nieces and nephews; and the sisters of her religious community.
Sr. Mary John made her religious profession on June 24, 1929. She had been the eldest sister in community for a number of years.
She loved the outdoors and spent most of her years as a gardener and groundskeeper. Many of our older trees were planted by Sr. Mary John. She grew medicinal herbs and made all manner of balms, salves and cough syrups which were used by the community. She frequently entertained the community and any guests visiting with her by singing songs in the German language and playing her harmonica.
She is survived by a large family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and also by her sisters in community.
Sr. Marietta made her religious profession on June 24, 1949 and was a teacher for many years. She was in parish work at St. John Church in Russellville just before returning to the Monastery.
She is survived by four sisters: Sr. Barbara Schroeder, Sr. Stephanie Schroeder, and Sr. Regina Schroeder, all of Fort Smith, AR, and Mary Lehman of St. Louis, MO; four brothers: Elmer Schroeder of Windthorst, TX, George Schroeder of Leominster, MA, Bernard Schroeder of Shawnee, KS, and Ray Schroeder of Kansas City, MO, in addition to the sisters of her religious community.
Sr. Marcella made her religious profession on June 24, 1935 and earned both a B.S. Ed. and a M.S. Ed. She taught elementary school for fifty years, serving in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas. After retiring from the classroom, she was sacristan at St. Scholastica Monastery and also served as Bethany House caretaker.
She is survived by a sister, Sr. Jovita Stengel of St. Scholastic Monastery, many nephews and nieces, and sisters of her religious community.
Sr. Immaculata was a graduate of Avila College in Kansas City, MO, and her long career as an elementary teacher covered three states: Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. After retiring in 1987 she returned to the Monastery
She is survived by three sisters: Rita Milton of Bridgeport, TX, Magdalen Michalik of Munday, TX, and Kay Gallagher of Asheville, NC, and the sisters in her religious community.
Sr. Fidelis Marie made her monastic profession on October 3, 1959 and her ministry was care of the sick. As a nurse, she worked in various hospitals. Her medical career also involved teaching and administration. Following her retirement from nursing she was prolific artistically in both fine china painting and calligraphy.
She is survived by a sister, Mary Ebster of Redding, CA; a brother, Sam Garafalo of North Syracuse, NY, and her sisters in community.
Sr. Beck made her final profession on June 24, 1932 and had an illustrious career in nursing, here in the monastery Infirmary, in a number of our hospitals, and also in Chicago. She particularly enjoyed working with newborns. Her career also included time at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Little Rock in the Pastoral Care Department. After retiring from hospital work, Sr. Emerita served the community as sub-prioress for eight years.
She is survived by three sisters-in-law, Marie, Frances, and Catherine Beck; many nieces and nephews; and her sisters in community.
Sr. Camilla made her religious profession June 24, 1924 and at the time of her death had been in vows longer than any of our other living members.
She spent most of her years as a housekeeper for our teaching sisters on missions. She enjoyed reading and visiting with her community members.
Sr. Camilla is survived by a sister, Margaret Beshoner of Scranton, and the sisters in her religious community.
After making her religious profession, Sr. Bede taught in Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Kansas for 32 years. During this time she taught all levels: primary, junior high, senior high and college. From 1986 to 1993 she worked in the Pastoral Care Department of Saint Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock.
In addition to her fine teaching skills, Sr. Bede was an accomplished poet, and had a keen interest in observing nature.
She is survived by one sister, Sister Christine Eckart of St. Scholastica Monastery; and one brother, Father Placidus Eckart of Subiaco Abbey; numerous nieces and nephews; and her sisters in community.
