Sister Alethe Fitzpatrick-1902-1985-Heeding our Lord's call, she entered St. Mary Postulate in Monroe on Dec. 7, 1920. "I had to do my High School here in the community, and then work for my teaching degree, so it took me some time to catch up." She did catch up, even going on to receive her B.S. from Marygrove. Her Reception Day was August 15, when she received the name Sister Alethe. Two years later she made her first vows, and on August 15, 1926, the final vows which she kept faithfully "for the rest of my life."
Sister Therese Torzewski a/k/a Sister Joseph Therese-5-17-02-Prior to her first mission at St. Columban in '62, she had taught at St. Mary Monroe;Holy Redeemer,Detroit'Sacred Heart Dearborn; St. John, Jackson, the Academy and St. Rose, Detroit. In her later years in Saginaw, she continued teaching Yoga, visiting the sick and being a Eucharist minister and helping care for her mother as her family took turns.
Sister Helen Gaffney (Mary Fides) 1906-1989-According to her autobiography Helen Gaffney came from an interesting, happy, Irish-Catholic family of 3 older brothers and herself. After graduating in 1926, Helen attended Detroit Teachers' College (later Wayne University) part time due to the necessity of caring for her ailing mother. As sister May Fides she was sent to Ann Arbor where a new school was in the process of construction. As early as 1931 she became ill and was diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis which she fought off and on for more than twenty years. She recovered sufficiently to carry a full teaching load in various high schools.
Sister Jane Edward (Mary Jane Brown) She was born in Chicago, the only child of a "fully Irish Catholic" mother and a Unitarian lawyer father. Her parents both died very young and her aunts and uncles became her Catholic family. She received her IHM habit on Dec. 30, 1925. Her professional career (her ministry) of teaching high school English and Religion, took her from the Academy in Monroe, through nine parochial high schools (eight in Michigan, on in Ohio) Everywhere she taught she was beloved.
Sister Mary Anthony-Leona Therese Vanoost...She was born in Duluth and moved with her familoy to Detroit in 1917, to Belgium in 1921, and returned to Detroit in 1928. She received her master's degree in education from Marygrove College and taught at a number of schools in Michigan and Illinois.
Sister Caroline Dering-Anna Dering-1880-1962-Sister Caroline entered the Convent in Dec. of 1895. She received the holy habit in July of the following year and pronounced her vow in June of 1898. During the 25 yrs. in which she taught at St. Joseph's, Detroit, she impressed everyone with her efficiency. Sister was equipped to teach English and German.
Sister Matilda (Sarah Philomena Gudenburr) Sister Matilda Gudenburr served her God and the church as an IHM for 72 years. For nearly 50 of those years, she was assigned to teach early primary grades. She did very well, preparing hosts of children to receive the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.
Sister Marie Claire Crowford (Mary Frances Crawford (1914-1970) Mary Florence was born in Detorit, Michigan. Both parents were natives of Detroit. Mary Florence attended St. Gregory High School in Detroit and completed her high school education at St. Mary Academy as a postulant. On July 2, 1930, Sister Marie entered the Congregation and was received into the Novitiate on January 2, 1931 with final commitment the same date in 1936. Sister returned to the Motherhouse in 1969 due to a fatal illness.
Sister Rose Cecilia Kane (1900-1991) Agnes Mary was born in Detorit and her birth had to be a time of rejoicing in the Kane house-hold for only a year before they had lost their only daughter to God. Agnes never had a chance to know her mother since she died when she was only 3yrs. old. On September 8, 1917, she entered St. Mary's Postulate and was received on July 16, 1918 to become known thereafter as Sister Rose Cecilia. Sister Rose Cecillia's teaching ministry spanned 46 yrs. with a total of 18 different missions.
Sister Ann (Miriam Moloney) Miriam was the only daughter born in Jackson, Michigan. Her mother was not a Catholic and delayed her permission for her daughter to be baptized until she was 8 yrs. old and threatened by a serious illness. On July 1st, 1923, much against her mother's will, Miriam entered St. Mary Postulate. She received the name, Sister Ann and made her first vows in Dec. of 1925 and professed in January of 1929. As a Novice she taught music to the young pianists at St. Mary Academy.. In the next 49 yrs. she taught Math, Religion and Home Economics at various IMH high schools.
Sister Paula Wholihan-Sister Justella-Paula was the last of four children born in Detroit, Mich. Her family was very religious and recited the rosary each night in their home. Paula was received into the Novitiate in 1947 and given the name Sister Justella. She was assigned to teach 4th grade at Epiphany School in Detroit. For about the next 12yrs. Paula taught principally in the middle grades in Michigan and Florida.
Sister Martina Nusbaum (Agnes Nusbaum) (1901-1995) Agnes Mary was born in the little town of Temperance, Michigan. Her parents reared 11 children on their farm. Eleven days after she graduated she entered St. Mary Postulate, on Dec. 30th of the same year she received the habit and the name Sister Martina. She taught Science, Math, English, History and Religion. She lived well into her 70's as she contined to tutor part-time at the Hall of the Divine Child.
