Sister Mildred Marie Keefe, CSC
(August 19, 1924 - November 12, 2010)
Please, join in prayer of thanksgiving for this Sister of the Holy Cross who died on November 12, 2010 in Saint Mary's Convent.
Word has been received of the unexpected death of Sister Mildred Marie (Keefe) who died on Friday, November 12, 2010, in Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Sister Mildred Marie was a quiet and unassuming religious whose outward demeanor belied her brilliance and versatile skills. She went about her numerous and varied ministries in a gracious and humble manner that never drew attention to herself or her accomplishments. Because of her deeply religious spirit she extended a beautiful Christ-like attitude; she had time for everyone and was never brusque or impatient. However, her decision-making process of weighing all the pros and cons before ever reaching a conclusion occasionally caused her less deliberating or analytical acquaintances to become anxious or even impatient.
The litany of her ministries is long and varied. Sister spent over 30 years in the elementary schools of the Midwest, sometimes as teacher, sometimes as principal and sometimes as both. In each of these roles she always strived for excellence.
During the next 25-plus years she embarked on her new areas of ministry in health care with the same generous spirit that typified her life. This included working in a pediatrics play program, pastoral care, CPE/chaplaincy, adult day care and home visitations, administration in a convalescant care facility and finally spiritual care for the hospitalized. For all of these various ministries she seriously pursued programs to become certified. Sister Mildred Marie was aptly suited to health care ministry because of her keen ability to understand the needs of the immediate situation. Her empathy made it possible for her to find just the right words to offer comfort and counsel. She was a gifted and compassionate religious.
Family was very important to Sister Mildred Marie. Her dad spent the last year of his life in the Little Company of Mary Nursing Home in San Pierre, Indiana, and her devotion to him is evident as she writes, “San Pierre was 35 miles straight south of Michigan City (where she was principal) and I was able to visit him often…. On the Saturday before he died … we were able to spend a few hours talking about the past and my reading his 70th birthday cards and his talking about the person as I read the signature. He went into a coma that evening and died the following Tuesday, April 30.” This same devotion extended to all family members and she took every opportunity she could to travel to Tipton, Illinois, to visit with her sister Pat. She was consoled in her last days by the presence of her other sister, Catherine, her two nieces, and family members who were with her in spirit. She also had the prayerful support of the members of her Holy Cross family. Sister Mildred Marie now rests in peace.