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In Memoriam - 2007
Sr. Miriam David Volker Sr. Rose Angela Cunningham Sr. Margaret Dowd
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Sr. Mary Callista McChesney Sr. M. Corinne Omlor Sr. Madeline Sophie Gloss
Sr. Catherine Agnes Holpp Sr. Patricia Beggy Sr. Isabelle Jorden
Sister Miriam David Volker, SC
Sister Miriam David Volker, SC, age 87, died Friday, January 5, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. Born in Calcutta, India, Sister Miriam David entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill on September 8, 1940, from Saint Scholastica Parish in Aspinwall, PA. Preceded in death by parents, Henry J. and Florence E. (Schwarzwaelder) Volker, she is survived by three brothers: Henry J., George V., David J. Volker and numerous nieces and nephews. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Piano from Seton Hill University, a master’s degree in Music Theory from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and a Certificate of Piano, Fontainebleau, France. Sister Miriam David began her ministry as a piano teacher in the Altoona-Johnstown and Pittsburgh dioceses. In 1951, she was missioned as a music instructor, teaching piano and theory, at Seton Hill University where she served until 1985, teaching during the academic year and the summer sessions. She was the chair of the university music department from 1963-1969. Her article, “Another Chance for the Concert Mass” was published in the National Catholic Music Educators Association (1966.) During her tenure as chair of the music department, she co-founded Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and was the recipient of the Tribune Review’s Cultural Award (1975) for her long, intensive efforts to establish the orchestra. She was a member of the Westmoreland Symphony Board of Directors and a member of the Westmoreland Symphony Association. In 1972, Sister Miriam David co-founded the Westmoreland Music Camp for young students, sponsored by the Women’s Committee of the Westmoreland Symphony, in affiliation with Seton Hill University. She was an instructor in music at Point Park College for 12 years. Sister Miriam David was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, International Honorary Music Fraternity. In 1986 until 1998, Sister Miriam David ministered as co-manager of Gilbert Straub Plaza, a high-rise for elderly senior citizens in South Greensburg.. She retired to Caritas Christi in 1999. Of her life as a Sister of Charity, Sister Miriam David reflected, “The congregation has made many spiritual, educational and social opportunities available to me. For all of these, I am grateful.”
Sister Rose Angela Cunningham, SC
Sister Rose Angela Cunningham, SC, age 100, died Tuesday, January 30, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. A native of Waynesburg, PA, Sister Rose Angela entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1925, from Saint Anne Parish in Waynesburg. Preceded in death by her parents, James and Catherine (Costello) Cunningham, three brothers, Joseph, James C., John L., two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth (Philip) Goodman and Sister Miriam Francis, S.C., she is survived by two nephews, William Goodman and James Cunningham and niece, Catherine Cunningham. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Seton Hill University and began her long tenure (1931-1979) as a dedicated teacher and professor of Home Economics. In 1931, no other Catholic college had a Home Economics Department. Pauline Sanders, chair of the department at the time, modeled it after the Pennsylvania State University program. Sister Rose Angela earned a master’s degree in Foods and Nutrition from Columbia University and then pursued graduate studies in Advanced Nutrition at Cornell University. During her years at Seton Hill, Sister Rose Angela was an active member of Kappa Omicron Phi (KOPhi) and the American Home Economics Association. Sister Rose Angela was also a cofounder of the Seton Hill nursery school that eventually became the Seton Hill University Child Development Center. After her retirement in 1979, Sister Rose Angela continued to volunteer her services at Seton Hill and received an Outstanding Volunteer Award in 1992. In 1982, the Seton Hill Home Economics Alumnae established a scholarship in her name “to honor her gentle, courteous and caring manner which served as an inspiration and model for our personal growth as Seton Hill women.” In 2000, the Seton Hill alumnae presented the Distinguished Alumna Award to Sister Rose Angela. Sister Rose Angela’s inspiration as a teacher extended beyond the boundaries of the university. As did many of the sisters and students at Seton Hill, Sister Rose Angela, for most of her years there, generously devoted her Sunday mornings to catechetical instruction of children in parishes remote to Greensburg. Whenever there was a need, Sister Rose Angela was always eager to serve and in 1975, when the Sisters of Charity sponsored a Vietnamese refugee family, Sister assisted by instructing the mother in the fundamentals of western style nutrition and meal preparation. In recent years, Sister Rose Angela assisted in the care of her sister, Sister Miriam Francis, S.C., a retired nurse, who lived to the age of 103. Smiling and sweet-natured, Sister Rose Angela lived her life for others, while exemplifying the motto of the Sisters of Charity, “The Charity of Christ Urges Us!”
Sister Margaret Marie Dowd, SC
Sister Margaret Marie Dowd, SC, age 89, died July 10, 2007, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. A Pittsburgh native, Sister Margaret Marie entered the Congregation on January 1, 1945, from Saint Mary of the Mount Parish, Pittsburgh.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew C. and Margaret L. (Shally) Dowd; six brothers: Joseph V., Richard J., John M., William F., James V., Reverend Regis P. Dowd, ST; three sisters: Sister Anne Dowd, SC (her twin), Catherine Dowd, and Mrs. Mary (R.A.) Gallagher; and two cousins, Sister M. Ricardo Shally, SC, and Sister Joseph Louise Reilly, SC. She is survived by a brother, Robert S. Dowd, and nieces and nephews.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Seton Hill University and taught students in schools of the Dioceses of Greensburg, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Tucson as well as the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington. She also taught in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, as a member of a teacher exchange program between the Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of the Holy Family of New Orleans.
Sister Margaret Marie ministered as a catechetical teacher at Holy Trinity Parish, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and provided auxiliary services at Elizabeth Seton Center’s Adult Day Care program, Brookline. Generous and smiling, Sister Margaret Marie exhibited an interior serenity even during her long-term illness and believed, with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “The affliction of this life is but a moment, while the glory in the life to come will be eternal.”
Sister Mary Callista McChesney, SC
Sister Mary Callista McChesney, SC, age 95, died July 15, 2007, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. A native of Pittsburgh, Sister Mary Callista entered the Congregation on February 2, 1931, from Saint Joseph Parish, Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania.
Preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth (Kotchey) McChesney, two brothers, Joseph and Thomas, and two sisters, Mrs. Anna (John) Atmanchik, and Mrs. Elizabeth (Press) Smolter, she is survived by nieces and nephews.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University and taught at the primary level in schools of the Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Tucson Dioceses in addition to the Archdioceses of Los Angeles and Washington. She taught catechetical classes at Most Holy Trinity Parish, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. From 1979 to 1985, Sister Mary Callista was the coordinator at the Greensburg Central Catholic Faculty House in Greensburg. From 1985 to 1992, she resided at Saint Pius X convent in Mount Pleasant and volunteered with the parish. Multi-talented, creative, witty, and troubled in later life by her lack of mobility, Sister Mary Callista, believed the words of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “Three wheels of the old carriage (her body) are broken down, the fourth very near gone; then, with the wings of a dove will my soul fly and be at rest.”
Sister M. Corinne Omlor, SC
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Sister M. Corinne Omlor, SC, age 101, died September 5, 2007, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. A native of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Sister M. Corrine entered the Congregation on September 8, 1925, from Saint Ann Parish, Waynesburg.
Preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Cora Ann (Noel) Omlor, two brothers, Hubert and Noel Omlor and a sister, Sister M. Harriet Omlor, SC, she is survived by nieces and a nephew.
Sister Corinne earned a bachelor of music degree in violin and piano from Seton Hill University and became an elementary and music teacher in schools of the Dioceses of Greensburg, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and the Archdiocese of Washington. She taught music education during the summer sessions at Seton Hill University during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. She treasured the violin given to her by the deceased musician, Sister M. Cecilia Schwab, SC, whose brother, Charles, was the Pittsburgh industrialist.
Always active and enthusiastic, Sister Corrine credits her parents and upbringing for her vocation to religious life. At the time of her diamond (75 years) jubilee in religious life, she reflected on her life and commented, “As one advances in age, one realizes God’s greatest gift is the gift of love.”
Sister Madeline Sophie Gloss, SC
Sister Madeline Sophie Gloss, SC, age 90, died September 15, 2007, at Mercy Jeannette Hospital, Jeannette. A native of Pittsburgh, Sister Madeline Sophie entered the Congregation on September 8, 1934, from Saint Kieran Parish, Lawrenceville.
Preceded in death by her parents, John and Sophie (Duchnowski) Gloss, and three brothers, John, Charles, and William M. Gloss, and five sisters, Wanda, Josephine, Mary, Anna, and Mrs. Stella (Joseph) Ranker, she is survived by nieces and nephews.
Sister Madeline Sophie earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University and taught primary grades in the Dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh. She was principal of Saint Irenaeus School in Oakmont from 1963 to 1969. From 1988 through 1998, Sister Madeline Sophie tutored students at Elizabeth Seton Elementary School, Carnegi, and received a plaque in recognition of her dedicated ministry. Happy in her life as a Sister of Charity, Sister Madeline Sophie believed with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “To receive the daily Bread and to do His sacred will–that is the fixed point.”
Sister Catherine Agnes Holpp, SC
Sister Catherine Agnes Holpp, SC, age 96, died Sunday, October 21, 2007, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Greensburg. A Pittsburgh native, Sister Catherine Agnes entered the Congregation on March 25, 1928, from Saint Stephen Parish, Hazelwood.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John L. and Ella (Oates) Holpp, and six brothers, John, Albert, Thomas, Clement, Leo, and Lawrence Holpp and a sister, Mrs. Catherine (John) McGrogan. She is survived by her sister, Sister Rose Clare Holpp, SC, and nieces and nephews. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University and taught primary grades in schools of the Greensburg and Pittsburgh dioceses. Sister Catherine Agnes loved young children and lived her religious life in the spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “Let all be in the order of His Providence, neither asking nor refusing.”
Sister Patricia Beggy, SC
Sister Patricia Beggy, SC, (formerly, Sister Maris Stella) age 76, died November 3, 2007, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Greensburg. A native of Pittsburgh, Sister Patricia entered the Congregation on September 8, 1950, from Sacred Heart Parish, Shadyside.
Preceded in death by her parents, John F. and Rose Agnes (McDonnell) Beggy, a brother Richard A., and a sister, Anne Margaret Beggy, she is survived by three brothers, John P. (her twin), Daniel J., and Gerald E. Beggy, and nieces and nephews.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Seton Hill University and a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Arizona. Sister Patricia taught the Greensburg, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Tucson dioceses and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She ministered as a dietician at the former Providence Hospital, Beaver Falls, and at Assumption Hall, the former retirement home for the sisters in Greensburg.
Sister Patricia retired to Caritas Christi in 1999 when the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease became evident. Despite her occasional memory lapses, Sister Patricia continued to minister to the sisters, “helping them get from place to place and running errands for or with them as needed.” A model of simplicity and graciousness, Sister Patricia, at the time of her golden jubilee, reflected on her life as a Sister of Charity. “I love my life and would not have it any other way. It has been a great blessing to me, and I pray daily that all people find as much peace and joy as I do.”
Sister Isabelle Jorden, SC
Sister Isabelle Jorden, SC, (formerly, Sister M. Aloysius) age 87, died November 22, 2007, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity,Greensburg.
Preceded in death by her parents, Thomas J. and Mary (Higginbottom) Jorden; five brothers, Clyde L., Ralph H., Thomas J., Robert M., and Raymond Jorden; and a sister, Violet (Jorden) Michel, Sister Isabelle is survived by nieces and nephews.
A native of Bridgeport, Ohio, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity on July 1, 1943, from Saint Anthony Parish, Bridgeport. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Seton Hill University, a nursing diploma as a registered nurse from Pittsburgh Hospital School of Nursing, and a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from Duquesne University. She began her ministry as a teacher in the Greensburg and Pittsburgh dioceses.
Sister Isabelle then ministered as a nurse for more than 20 years, serving as a nursing supervisor at the former Pittsburgh Hospital (1948-1957) and an instructor in the School of Nursing (1957-1958). She also served as a nursing supervisor at Jeannette District Memorial Hospital (1959-1965), now Mercy Jeannette Hospital, and the former Roselia Foundling Asylum and Maternity Hospital (1967-1969).
In 1969, Sister Isabelle was named assistant dean of students at Seton Hill University and then became the coordinator of health and counseling services there (1970-1971).
In 1981, Sister Isabelle was certified in adult primary care as a nurse practitioner by the University of Pittsburgh. She was then appointed manager and co-manager of Gilbert Straub Plaza (1986-1999), an apartment complex for senior citizens in South Greensburg. Sister Isabelle retired to Caritas Christi in 1999.
Sister Vivien Linkhauer, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Charity, stated, “Sister Isabelle loved being in the healing profession and was a nurse and nurse practitioner par excellence! She was always learning how to do it better and was ever ready to serve others. In retirement, her gentle spirit continued to touch many lives, bringing new life to them.”
In reflecting on her life, Sister Isabelle spoke the words of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “We await Your will in certain hope . . . reaching out for the things ahead, looking steadfastly upward.”
Sister Rose Elizabeth Breen, SC
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Sister Rose Elizabeth Breen, SC, age 95, who died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, on December 8, 2007. Preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth (Heckathorn) Breen, four brothers, George, Gerald, Walter and Donald Breen, a sister, Rosemary Breen, a paternal great-aunt, Sister Mary Basil Breen, SC, she is survived by nieces and nephews. A native of Wilmerding, PA, Sister Rose Elizabeth entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1933, from Saint James Parish, Wilkinsburg, PA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University and a master’s degree in administration from the University of Southwest Louisiana. She taught in schools of the Pittsburgh diocese until she was assigned to the House of Mary, Hill District, Pittsburgh, to teach children of the kindergarten level and minister in social work from 1951-1963. It was during this period that she taught the late Pittsburgh playwright, August Wilson. From 1963 until 1966, Sister Rose Elizabeth taught in Our Lady of Lourdes School, Abbeville, LA, and returned there to teach from 1969-1971. In an exchange teacher program, initiated between the Sisters of Charity and the Holy Family Sisters of New Orleans, she taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Lafayette, LA, from 1967-1968. Her longest tenure as a teacher was at Saint Jane de Chantal School, Bethesda, Maryland, from 1973-1995. It was here that she established a school-based extended day care program and was the recipient of the 1991 University of Maryland Celebrated Teacher Award. After her retirement from the classroom, Sister Rose Elizabeth volunteered at Saint Joseph House of Hospitality in the Hill District, Pittsburgh. Throughout her years of ministry, many students remembered her and showed their appreciation for her teaching and example. A former student wrote a prize-winning essay about Sister Rose Elizabeth, stating, among other things, that “Sister Rose made religion fun bringing alive the stories of the Bible and making its lessons real.” In 2000, Sister Rose Elizabeth was a recipient of the “Manifesting the Kingdom” award from the Diocese of Pittsburgh in recognition of her exceptional service to the Church. Sister Rose Elizabeth’s life story reflected the words of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “To receive the daily Bread and to do His sacred will—that is the fixed point.”