A special "Thank You" goes out to Diane Cousino who put together all of this information on some of our beloved sisters. THANK YOU DIANE, from the Class of '62 and Thank You to Biff Wilhelme for sending it to me....
Sister Annunciata Grix Aug. 16, 1908- July 9, 2008-Katherine Elizabeth Grix was born August 16, 1908 in Detroit and baptized a week later at St. Mary's in what is now called Greektown. She was the youngest of three girls, regal of name and gentile of disposition with a calm born of temperament and developed in depth. Annunciata spent 45 years in education, all within the Archdiocese of Detroit, during the strongest era in Catholic education. At Sacred Heart, Dearborn, she led the school as principal and the convent as superior. Judy Woods(former IHM Sister) captured the experience, "In 1965, Sacred Heart Dearborn was staffed with the most colorful, talented, opinionated, age-diverse variety of women that the IHMs had to offer. Although never very comfortable with conflict, in her very reserved and private way, Mother Annunciata listened to and respected each and every one."
Sister Martina Nusbaum- 1901-1995-Agnes Mary Nusbaum was born in the little town of Temperance, Michigan. Her parents reared eleven children on their farm in Temperance. She entered St. Mary Postulate on December 30, 1920 of the same year she received the habit and the name Sister Martina, presumably after her grandfather and uncle Martin. Sister Martina's love of life spilled over into every aspect of living. Despite her own growing hearing impairment in her later years, her mind and interests remained active and enthusiastic with the world going on about her. Longevity ran in the family and so it was no surprise that Martina lived to celebrate 75 years as an IHM.
Sister Marie Frances Schulte 1895-1972 -Mary Theresa Schulte was born in Detroit on August 26, 1895. Both of her parents were originally from Germany. She attended St. Boniface grade and high schools in Detroit. She entered the community on January 6, 1923, received the habit on August 15, 1923 and made her final profession on August 15, 1928. She went to Sacred Heart Dearborn and remained there until 1959. In 1959 she returned to St. Mary of Redford, her last mission. Sister Marie Francis died in the Infirmary on November 23, 1972 after 49 years as a religious.
Sister Mary Alice Diehl (1918-1983) Janice Mary Diehl was born in the Detroit area. She attended several Catholic grade schools in Northwest Detroit and graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School and Marygrove College with a major in Economics. In 1945 Janice entered St. Mary Convent,. While in the novitiate she completed the requirements for a Michigan teacher's certificate and began teaching at the junior high level. Due to ill health that plagued her the rest of her life she returned to the Motherhouse to recuperate. Somewhat recovered she taught 5 yrs. in Dearborn and another 5yrs. in Westchester, Illinois.
Sister Ellen Mary Green-Ellen Mary, known to her family as Virginia, was born in Jackson, Michigan. She was the eldest of nine children. Having attended both elementary school and high school at St. Mary of Redford, Virginia felt a call to become an IHM Sister. In the summer of 1932, she was one of the 70 young women who came here to the new Motherhouse to enter the Congregation. This was the famous class of 1932. Anyone who had Sister Ellen Mary for a teacher will always remember her. For over 60 years, she was an outstanding teacher of math and science. She was well prepared for this ministry with an undergraduate degree from Marygrove College and a master's degree from the University of Detroit. She went on to receive national grants for further study of math and science, mainly physics and chemistry. Sister Ellen Mary passed away in 2005. Another IHM friend wrote: "Ellen Mary was an awesome, welcoming woman. She always made others feel they were special.
Sister Mary Helen-Sister Mary Helen did not leave us a time capsule and 98 years of learning, teaching, subbing and serving is a great distance to cover with the stroke of a pen. However, I suspect that was the way Mary Helen viewed her life and mission. Mary Helen was born Oct. 6, 1907 in Detroit, Michigan. Mary Helen had one brother. She was admitted to the IHM Postulate on Dec. 8, 1924. In her professional life of 46 yrs., Mary Helen taught in some 17 elementary schools in grades 2-8.
Sister Gabrieline Wagener, June 27, 1914-Sept. 12, 2006-Eleanor Jane Wagener entered the world on June 27, 1914, in Canton, Ohio. After graduation in June of 1932, Eleanor entered the IHM Congregation. At her reception into the novitiate she was given the name of Gabrieline. Her life-long love of Florida began in 1951 when Mother Teresa asked her to become the superior and principal of St. Michael the Archangel, in Miami, Fla. She served there for six years. Gabrieline returned to Michigan for the 1957-1958 school year and taught eight grade students at Sacred Heart, Dearborn being assigned to full-time study at the University of Notre Dame for the next two years. A conference in Miami Beach in 1977 brought Gabrieline to Florida once again. And it was in Florida that she spent her last 20 years before retiring to the Motherhouse in 1998.
Sister M. Luella Farrell-1893-1971-Irene Catherine attened Holy Trinity school in Detroit. She had 3 sisers and 2 brothers. She entered the convent in January of 1911 and was given the name Sister M. Luella. Her final vows were pronounced on Dec. 28, 1916. In 1912 Sister Luella began her teaching career at Most Holy Redeemer in Detroit. She was missioned to 24 different missions teaching grades 3-8, Sacred Heart being one of the 24.
Sister Margaret Cross-Margaret, the oldest of four children was born in Pontiac, MI, June 23, 1916. Margaret attended St. Fred's School in Pontiac for her 12yrs. graduating in 1933. On June 22, 1934 she entered the Postulate, one day before her 18th birthday. On January 2, 1935 Margaret was received into the Novitiate and given the name Sister Mary de Lima. For the next twenty-seven years Margaret taught fourth-eighth grades in Michigan and Florida. She passed away on March 15, 2005.
Sister Marie Basil born Agnes May Molloy in Detroit and was a teacher for many years. She was survived by a sister, Sister Suzanne F. Molloy, Sisters, Servants of athe Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe.
