Dates and Community of Death: 1859–Present

Date and Location of Death:
September 1, 2008–Present

Sister Mary Rosalia Schroering, age 89, May 7, 2013
Sister Mary Rosalia Schroering died at Mercy Sacred Heart Village in Louisville, Kentucky, following a brief illness and a major stroke. She was a Sister of Mercy for 71 years.

Over the course of 35 years, she served in elementary and secondary schools in Cincinnati, Springfield and Columbus, Ohio, and in Louisville, Kentucky, including Mercy Academy and Assumption High School. After a brief stint in parish ministry, she directed business services at Sacred Heart Home in Louisville and at Marcum & Wallace Hospital in Irvine, Kentucky. Her other ministries and volunteer service included Project AIMM, Sister Visitor Center, Shively Area Ministries, Day Spring Baxter Avenue, and assisting new refugee families sponsored by Catholic Charities.

To Sister Rosalia, her life as a Sister of Mercy meant constant gratitude for the graces she received. “Without prayer, my life would be nothing. There would be no purpose. The whole meaning of trust in my life has been to respond to God’s call to be a Religious Sister of Mercy and my whole desire is that the life of Christ be deepened within me.”

Sister Mary Ann Fuerst, age 85, April 12, 2013
Sister Mary Ann Fuerst died peacefully at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio. She had been in declining health since suffering a stroke several months earlier. Sister Mary Ann was a Sister of Mercy for 68 years.

She spent her early ministry teaching elementary school and then serving as librarian at McAuley High School and Our Lady of Cincinnati College.

She was dedicated to people who are economically poor, especially the elderly, and was co-founder and former director of the HOME program that ministered to the low income elderly in the Evanston and Walnut Hills sections of Cincinnati. In 2000, she was named one of Cincinnati’s 10 Women of the Year.

Sister Mary Ann had a down-to-earth spirituality. She loved people, and those who knew her will never forget the endearing twinkle in her eyes.

Sister Cecilia Casas, age 79, April 3, 2013
Sister Cecilia Casas died peacefully at Mercy Health Center Convent in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A Sister of Mercy for 57 years, she was 79 years old.

Her ministries included religious educator, elementary teacher, vocation coordinator, mentor of Mercy Association, and parish social ministry. A native of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, she ministered not only in her home state but in Kansas, Louisiana and Missouri.

Sister Cecilia was social, prayerful, spiritual, and celebrated life. She will be remembered for her kind and charitable nature.

Sister Rosalie May, age 85, March 28, 2013
Sister Rosalie May died peacefully after a long illness at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 67 years.

For more than 20 years, Sister Rosalie ministered to the sisters at McAuley Convent until she suffered a severe stroke three years ago.

She taught elementary school from 1950–1964 and served as the executive housekeeper at the Generalate in Bethesda, Maryland. After that, she moved to Grandview Avenue in Cincinnati where she spent 20 years in various levels of administration.

Sister Rosalie was an avid baseball fan and loyal to the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals. She loved to attend the games, as well as batting practice.

Even after she lost the ability to speak, she found a way to let others know she was pleased to see them and grateful for any comfort they shared with her. In doing so, she shared the lesson that actions speak louder than words.

Sister Mary Doloretta Scarabin, age 100, February 8, 2013
Sister Mary Doloretta Scarabin died at Convent of Mercy in Mobile, Alabama. She turned 100 years old in November and was a Sister of Mercy for 83 years.

Sister Doloretta’s ministry in education began at St. Joseph’s School in Mobile, Alabama, in 1933. She also taught in schools in Florida, Maryland and Georgia. In addition to teaching, Sister Doloretta studied library science at the University of South Alabama and served as a librarian in Alabama and Florida. For many years, she volunteered at the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Sister Doloretta is survived by two sisters and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Sister Clara Blankemeyer, age 81, January 12, 2013
Sister Clara Blankemeyer died shortly after entering hospice at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 63 years.

Sister Clara ministered in elementary education for 17 years throughout the Cincinnati Archdiocese and taught social studies and served as the media specialist at McAuley High School for 16 years. She changed ministries in 1987, serving as manager for subsidized housing for the elderly for 15 years.

Sister Clara enjoyed history and politics and was committed to social justice. She loved sports, especially baseball, and the Reds were her favorite team.

Sister Mary Clarita Roettker, age 93, January 4, 2013
Sister Mary Clarita Roettker died peacefully following a gradual decline at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 75 years.

For much of her ministry, she served as a teacher and a principal at elementary schools in the Cincinnati Archdiocese. She also taught theology at McAuley High School for more than a quarter of a century.

Sister Mary Clarita served as the sacristain at McAuley Convent for 40 years and also handled the duties of receptionist and coordinated transportation. She was a woman of deep spirituality and a simple way of life.

Sister Mary Clotilda Toelle, age 100, January 4, 2013
Sister Mary Clotilda Toelle died peacefully at Mercy Health Center Convent in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

She was a joyful Sister of Mercy for 82 years and celebrated her 100th birthday in June with enthusiasm when her long life attracted the attention of local media.

She was a devoted teacher and principal at Catholic schools in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas, and a number of her former students and their parents followed her until the day of her death.

Sister Mary Brigid Buttimer, age 83, December 14, 2012
Sister Mary Brigid Buttimer died peacefully at Mercy Convent in Savannah, Georgia. She was a Sister of Mercy for 65 years.

She devoted much of her ministry to education and served as a teacher and an administrator in Catholic schools in Baltimore and Potomac, Maryland, as well as in Columbus, Augusta, Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia. She also served as a parish pastoral associate in Savannah and in pastoral care in several hospitals.

Sister Brigid was known for her good humor, quick wit and happy demeanor and charmed her students into good behavior. An extended obituary is attached to today’s enews.

Sister Mary Michel Boulus, age 84, December 9, 2012
Sister Mary Michel Boulus died peacefully at Marian Center in Belmont, North Carolina, after a period of declining health.

A Sister of Mercy for 63 years, Sister Michel was 86 years old. Although she ministered in administration for many years, she said she would most like to be remembered as a math teacher, to which she devoted 14 years.

Sister Michel served as treasurer of the former North Carolina Regional Community for 15 years and as president of Sacred Heart College in Belmont from 1975–1987. When the college closed, she became director of food services in Belmont, a position she held until recently.

Sister Michel was honored twice by the government of Lebanon, the homeland of her parents. Most recently in 2011, she received the Presidential Honor from the president of Lebanon for establishing a scholarship program in the 1970s that enabled Lebanese students to study at Sacred Heart College.

Sister Mary Anita Sheerin, age 82, November 15, 2012
Sister Mary Anita Sheerin died peacefully at Marian Center in Belmont, North Carolina, from stomach cancer.

She was a Sister of Mercy for 62 years. Sister Anita devoted much of her ministry to elementary education and served as a teacher and a principal in schools in North Carolina, New York and Florida. Most recently, she served in pastoral ministry in Asheville, North Carolina, where she also was a leader of Mercy Association.

Sister Anita was known for her love of people and her ability to make everyone feel loved and cared for. She is quoted as saying, “My main goal is to give everything I’ve got every day.”

Sister Louis Mary Battle, age 79, November 9, 2012
Sister Louis Mary Battle died at the hospice at Stella Maris in Timonium, Maryland, following a brief illness.

A Sister of Mercy for 60 years, Sister Louis Mary was 79 years old.

She devoted her ministry to health care as a nurse and an administrator and her passion was caring for the elderly. She was head nurse in geriatrics at Stella Maris in 1958 and returned there in 1968 as director of nursing and resident activities. A year later, she was named administrator and had the vision necessary to convert the retirement home into a multi-level continuum of care for sick, elderly and dying people of all economic means, races and religions.

Sister Louis Mary is credited with leading the development of many of the programs at Stella Maris, including the St. Elizabeth Hall independent living units, the hospice program, the construction of the Knott Wing, rehabilitation services and the first steps in planning Mercy Ridge Retirement Community.

On October 14, 1964, Sister Louis Mary, while ministering at St. Joseph Infirmary in Atlanta, Georgia, escorted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to receive the Nobel Peace Prize while he was being treated as a patient.

To read more about Sister Louis Mary in The Baltimore Sun, click here.

Sister Mary Clarissa Crowe, age 92, November 6, 2012
Sister Mary Clarissa Crowe died in Cincinnati, Ohio, after a long illness.

A Sister of Mercy for 74 years, Sister Mary Clarissa was 92 years old and a resident of McAuley Convent.

She ministered in elementary education, music education and was an elementary school principal for most of her ministry in Cincinnati. Sister Mary Clarissa received a bachelor’s in music education from the Conservatory of Music and a master’s in elementary administration from Xavier, both in Cincinnati.

She loved to read and tell stories, and played piano for many community functions. Those who knew her well describe her as fully engaged in life and as a spiritual model to many.

Sister Mary Perpetua Overbeck, age 89, October 22, 2012
Sister Mary Perpetua Overbeck died at Mt. Airy Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 67 years and a resident of McAuley Convent.

Born Eva Jean Overbeck in Cincinnati, she devoted much of her ministry to education and served as assistant principal and principal of Mother of Mercy High School and McAuley High School.

Those who knew her well describe her as the essence of hospitality and a perfect lady with a good sense of humor. She was wise, well spoken and kind, with an amazing ability to remember everyone’s name.

Sister Mary Michaela Clasby, age 72, October 6, 2012
Sister Mary Michaela Clasby died peacefully at St. Catherine Convent in Louisville, Kentucky, following a long illness.

A Sister of Mercy for 54 years, Sister Mary Michaela was 72 years old. A member of the first graduating class of Assumption High School in Louisville in 1958, she was the school’s oldest living graduate. She went on to serve as assistant principal there and later as executive secretary. After her retirement in 2001, she continued to volunteer there.

Although Sister Mary Michaela was an introvert, she never met a stranger and never forgot a name or face. It was not unusual that former students and parents would approach her to thank her for all she had done for their families.

Sister Mary Alda Balthrop, age 97, October 2, 2012
Sister Mary Alda Balthrop died at Convent of Mercy in Mobile, Alabama, after a long period of declining health. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by sisters and staff.

Sister Alda was 97 years old and a Sister of Mercy for 78 years. She was a native of Mobile and her Funeral Mass was held at St. Mary’s Church, her home parish when she was a child.

Sister Alda served as a teacher and administrator, mostly in high schools, in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. She was a perfect “Southern lady” and was quiet, gentle and humble. She was appreciative of any kindness.

Sister Mary Julita Lienhard, age 91, August 5, 2012
Sister Mary Julita Lienhard died peacefully at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis, Missouri. She was surrounded by sisters who were praying with her.

Sister Julita celebrated her 75th Jubilee as a Sister of Mercy in June.

A gentle, joyous woman, Sister Julita devoted much of her ministry to teaching and to nursing and served as a nursing administrator in Kansas and Missouri. She loved life and shared it graciously with the sisters, her family and her friends.

Sister Helen Christensen, age 85, August 2, 2012
Sister Helen Christensen died at The Villa in Baltimore, Maryland. She was a Sister of Mercy for 66 years.

Sister Helen was an excellent math teacher at both the high school and college levels. Always available to help her students, she advocated for many of them to receive post-graduate scholarships and kept up with them throughout the years.

Sister Helen was friendly and hardworking and a dedicated Notre Dame fan. She was known as a loyal friend and a wonderful Sister of Mercy.

Sister Mary Magdala Thompson, age 89, July 14, 2012
Sister Mary Magdala Thompson died peacefully at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama.

A Sister of Mercy for 65 years, she was a teacher, college administrator, author and presenter of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and family therapist.

Sister Magdala received her bachelor’s in English Literature from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, a master’s in counseling from Loyola College in Maryland and a Ph.D. in administration from Michigan State University.

She was a warm and caring person who will be missed by many.

Sister Mary Bertille Lindemann, age 84, July 3, 2012
Sister Mary Bertille Lindemann died peacefully after a gentle diminishment at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis, Missouri. She was surrounded by family and members of her Mercy community.She was a Sister of Mercy for 69 years.

For much of her ministry, she served as a teacher and principal in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, and she dearly loved teaching.

Sister Bertille was known for her delightful wit, her beautiful smile, her directness and her honesty. She remained faithfully involved in community living.

Sister Mary Alma Madigan, age 100, June 25, 2012
Sister Mary Alma Madigan died peacefully at McAuley Convent, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A Sister of Mercy for 81 years, she ministered as an elementary teacher and principal in Piqua, Cleveland and Springfield, Ohio. She loved teaching and never believed she had to discipline students.

When asked “How are you?” she always responded “I can’t complain.” Sister Mary Alma was known for her kindness and patience and was perceptive, community-minded, and always anxious to be well informed about Community and family.

Sister Mary Alma reminded those around here that she was a “farm girl” and loved to tell stories about her childhood and early years in the Community.

Sister Margaret Ann Schellenberger, age 80, June 17, 2012
Sister Margaret Ann Schellenberger died at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 62 years.

An elementary educator for 45 years, Sister Margaret Ann also served as director of the North Fairmont Community Center for seniors in Cincinnati for more than 10 years. She was well known because many parishioners were either her students or parents of former students.

As she was throughout her life, Sister Margaret Ann was quiet, patient, accepting and grateful during her final illness.

Sister Ethel Herdeman, age 84, June 12, 2012
Sister Ethel Herdeman died at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio, after an extended illness. She was a Sister of Mercy for 63 years.

She was a nurse and former hospital administrator. Sister Ethel received her bachelor's in nursing from Our Lady of Cincinnati in 1954 and her master's in hospital administration from St. Louis University in 1962.

Sister Mary Clarita Gibson, age 84, June 9, 2012
Sister Mary Clarita Gibson died unexpectedly at The Villa in Baltimore, Maryland. She was in her 63rd year as a Sister of Mercy.

During her years as a sister, Sister Clarita ministered primarily in Maryland, working with children, other sisters and as supervisor of lay employees in Mercy organizations.

A devoted gardener, she spent many of her years at The Villa working on the grounds, where she planted a variety of flowers. She often talked to them while she tended them. “People tell me I’m crazy, but I think it helps,” she told The Catholic Review in 2000. “[Gardening] allows me to be close to God ...

“It’s fitting that Sister Clarita’s ashes were buried in the gardens in which she spent so many happy hours.

Sister Mary Terence Fitzgerald, age 95, May 25, 2012
Sister Mary Terence Fitzgerald died peacefully early in the morning at Catherine McAuley Convent in Barling, Arkansas. Our sisters prayed and sang with her most of the previous night. She was a Sister of Mercy for 68 years.

Sister Mary Terence devoted much of her ministry to nursing in Guyana, South America, and Fort Scott and Fredonia, Kansas.

She received her certificate in nursing from Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Mary College in Xavier, Kansas.

Sister Mary Alexis Heil, age 92, May 19, 2012
Sister Mary Alexis Heil died peacefully following an extended illness at McAuley Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a Sister of Mercy for 71 years.

A graduate of Mother of Mercy High School in Cincinnati, Sister Mary ministered as an elementary and secondary school teacher for a number of years.

In 1966, she moved to Jamaica, where she taught and was later headmistress at Alpha Commercial College. When she returned to the States, she remained torn between Jamaica and Cincinnati—two places she loved—and would spend a part of each year in one.

From 1955-1962, Sister Mary was director of novices in Cincinnati and was deeply loved by them. She kept her relationships with them until the end of her life, attending their Jubilees and going out to lunch with them.

Sister Mary Majella Winters, age 89, May 17, 2012
Sister Mary Majella Winters died at Mercy Health Center Convent in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, following a short illness. She was a Sister of Mercy for 73 years.

For several days prior to her death, Sister Majella was surrounded by sisters, co-workers and chaplains who cared for her lovingly and offered prayers, support, blessings and anointings.

Born in New Orleans, she spent much of her ministry as a teacher in the town of her birth and in St. Louis, Missouri. Many former students remember her generosity and loving service.

Sister Majella was prayerful, dedicated and lighthearted and enjoyed her religious community, reading, sports and current events.

Sister Marian Strohmeyer, age 84, April 17, 2012
Sister Marian Strohmeyer died in McAllen, Texas, surrounded by sisters, family and friends.

A Sister of Mercy for 67 years, Sister Marian’s ministerial life was devoted primarily to healthcare. She was obstetrics and nursing supervisor at Mercy hospitals in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma and in 1962 she was appointed hospital administrator at Mercy Hospital in Brownsville, Texas.

She established the Su Clinica Familiar, a healthcare center for low-income people, in Harlingen, Texas.

Sister Marian received a certificate in nursing from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and a bachelor’s in nursing education from St. Mary’s College in Xavier, Kansas.

Sister Mary Ricarda McGuire, age 98, April 11, 2012
Sister Mary Ricarda McGuire died at Catherine McAuley Convent in Barling, Arkansas, surrounded by her community who were praying and singing.

In her 80th years as a Sister of Mercy, she devoted almost 50 years ministering in education as a teacher and librarian in Arkansas. Sister Mary Ricarda also spent one year as an audio-visual specialist at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock.

She received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in library science from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas. She also did post-graduate work in audio-visual methods.

Sister Mary Ricarda was kind, caring and compassionate and often expressed herself in poetry. She loved music and going for rides in a car.

Sister Mary Kieran Davis, age 86, April 9, 2012
Sister Mary Kieran Davis died peacefully at Stella Maris in Baltimore, Maryland. She was in her 69th year as a Sister of Mercy.

Sister Mary Kieran’s early ministerial life was devoted to education. She began teaching in elementary schools and later at the secondary level in Baltimore, Maryland, Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, and Mobile, Alabama. “I was always happy teaching,” said Sister Mary Kieran.

Health issues interrupted her devotion to education in the late 1970s and she began serving as a bookkeeper at Mercy Convent in Savannah and as sacristan at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Sister Joan Maura Reily, age 92, April 7, 2012
Sister Joan Maura Reily died at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by Sisters of Mercy who were praying and singing.

A Sister of Mercy for 73 years, she devoted more than 40 years as a staff nurse and a supervisor during her years of service in hospitals in Missouri and Kansas. Sister Joan Maura received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing education.

She was a compassionate and gentle person who enjoyed knitting, art, reading, and listening to music.

Sister Mary Louise Hentzen, age 96, March 23, 2012
Sister Mary Louise Hentzen died peacefully following a gentle diminishment at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis, Missouri.

A Sister of Mercy for 78 years, Sister Louise was 96 years old. She spent much of her ministry in the business office and providing a sister presence in hospitals in Kansas and Arkansas.

Sister Louise was witty and enjoyed being with people. Among her hobbies were drawing and coloring. Her interest in life remained strong, even as her life became more limiting.

Sister Mary Alma Schlagheck, age 95, March 14, 2012
Sister Mary Alma Schlagheck died peacefully following an extended illness at St. Bernardine Home in Fremont, Ohio.

A Sister of Mercy for 80 years, she entered at age 15 in Toledo.

Sister Mary Alma ministered as a teacher in elementary schools in Ohio and as a principal. In 1958, she moved to McAuley High School in Toledo and served as director of home economics until the school closed 30 years later. Then she and her blood sister, Sister Rosemary Schlagheck moved to Our Lady of the Pines in Fremont to minister as members of the retreat team.

Sister Mary Alma radiated the presence of God and was prayerful, gentle, kind and generous. She loved music and played the piano and organ and loved to sing at Mass. She will be greatly missed.