Category: 2012

Sister Richard Walter, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, entered into eternal life on March 1, 2012 at the age of 96. She was born on November 25, 1915 in Conway, Arkansas, to John and Josephine Walter. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1934 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1937. During her career she was a cook and housekeeper in Immaculate Heart Church, Marche; St. Joseph School, Paris; and Bishop Albert Fletcher’s residence, Little Rock, where she served for eight years. In 1957 she returned to manage the monastery kitchen, a position she served in until her retirement in 1994. Sister Richard’s dinners were known for their beautiful presentation. The sisters who enjoyed her cooking will always remember her southern fried chicken.

An accomplished gardener, Sister Richard planted rows of azaleas outside the monastery kitchen.

She is survived by six sisters, Margaret Parks, Frances McCaig, Mary Stephens, Hilda Hoyt, Martha Lock and Josephine Wood; two brothers, Johnnie and Fred; numerous nieces and nephews; and the members of her monastic community. Preceding her in death were her parents and four brothers, Diederich, Pete, Ed, and Martin.

Vespers for the dead were prayed on March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Monastery Chapel. The funeral Mass was held March 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Monastery Chapel with the Rev. David McKillin, OSB presiding, followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Richard Walter’s Memory
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Sister Herbert Huber, OSB, 91, died July 18, 2012. She was born October 24, 1920 in Oesbach, Baden, Germany, moving to the United States with her parents, George and Sophie Huber, as a toddler. She entered St. Scholastica Convent on September 2, 1935 and made her religious profession in 1939. She was an elementary school teacher for 53 years who , after retirement, served as a tutor and monastery chauffeur. She held a Bachelor’s degree in German from Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison, Ks. and a Master’s degree in German from Stanford University.

She is survived by two sisters, Sister Rosarita Huber, OSB of St. Scholastica Monastery and Therese Hoelzeman of Morillton; two brothers, Herbert Huber of Subiaco and Stanley Huber of Chicago, Ill.; numerous nieces and nephews and her religious community.

Sister Herbert was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Sister Marie Huber, OSB.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Philip; and two sisters, Alice Stinchcomb and Genevieve Wood. She is survived by several nephews and nieces and her monastic community.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Herbert Huber’s Memory
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Sister Virginia Ann (Ginger) deGravelle, OSB, 72, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, in St. Scholastica Monastery.  Virginia Ann deGravelle was born November 10, 1939, in Lafayette, La. to George and Marie Billeaud deGravelle.  She attended University of Louisiana—Layafette, majoring in Accounting and Business.  She worked as an accountant and as director of volunteers for a hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana until she was 50.  Sister Ginger entered St. Scholastica Monastery in September, 1993. She worked in the monastery business office, served as treasurer for six years, took care of the medical bills for the sisters and was on the Governing Board of St. Anthony/St. Vincent Morrilton Medical Center for two years.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sister Ginger is survived by one sister, Nancy Zembower and her husband, Gayle; one brother, George deGravelle and his wife Debbie; one niece; two nephews; and her religious family.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated on March 24 with Reverend David McKillin, OSB, presiding, followed by interment in the monastery cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Philip; and two sisters, Alice Stinchcomb and Genevieve Wood. She is survived by several nephews and nieces and her monastic community.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Ginger deGravelle’s Memory
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Sister DeChantal Hyland, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, entered into eternal life on February 15, 2012 at the age of 105. Sister de Chantal was born in Nazareth, Tx. on October 7, 1906 to Joseph and Frances McCormick Hyland. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1923 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1925. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Marymount College, Salina, KS in 1939 and her Master’s degree in English from the University of Texas in 1947.

Sister DeChantal taught for 56 years in both public and Catholic schools in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas, including St. Ignatius, Scranton; St. Boniface, Fort Smith; St. Edward, Little Rock; Holy Rosary, Stuttgart; St. Joseph, Paris; and Immaculate Conception, Moberly, Mo. She also taught 20 years in the Nazareth, Tx. public school system. She was principal at St. Theresa, Little Rock from 1971-76 and St. Joseph, Paris from 1976-1979.

After her retirement she continued to teach part-time in the Resource Room at St. Boniface School, and continued to tutor students privately until she was 95 years old.

She continued to take an active interest in her community and the world until a few months before her death, reading the newspaper, especially the sports pages, after prayer, Mass, and breakfast each morning. She was an avid fan of the Razorbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals.

She is survived by two sisters, Sister Frances Ann Braddock, OSB of the monastery and Joyce Tingle of Arlington, Tx; one brother, Brother Gerald Hyland, SM of St. Louis, Mo. Sister DeChantal was preceded in death by her parents, seven sisters, Amy Kuster, Sister Roberta Hyland, OSB, Joan Homan, Catherine Hyland, Ruth Hyland, Maureen Schwaller and Rita Johnson; and four brothers, Pat, Bert, Father Fred and Gary.

Vespers for the dead were prayed on February 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the monastery chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. DeChantal Hyland’s Memory
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