- December 5, 2018 Sister Stories
By Sister Jane Behlmann, Archivist
Sister Mary Adelaide Stanton died at Our House of Retreat, Nazareth Convent, Lemay, Missouri, on the fourteenth day of November, nineteen hundred forty, in the sixty-sixth year of her age and the forty-fifth of her religious life.
In the death of dear Sister Adelaide, the community lost a devoted, enthusiastic worker, one who willingly undertook any task assigned her by obedience. The greater part of her religious life was spent in the field of music. Whether she served as local superior, class teacher, director of the choir at an orphanage, or instructed children in the rural vacation schools, it mattered not. She gladly spent herself for those assigned to her care.
It was while engaged in this last mentioned work that Sister suddenly collapsed, never again to resume work. When told that she was a victim of cancer, she said, “Is not that wonderful? Now I will go Home to God.” She was taken to Nazareth where she edified all by her characteristic cheerfulness, even gaiety at times. On the day of Sister’s death, as her Superior was going to Holy Hour, she asked Sister if she wanted to go with her but Sister answered, “I am going to a better place.” Before Holy Hour was over, our good Sister Adelaide was with God.
Again and again she expressed her gratitude for the privilege of spending her last days at Nazareth, and especially for the privilege of being laid to rest among our sainted pioneer Sisters. [From the Necrology Book]
Sister Mary Adelaide Stanton, Joanna Teresa, was born on April 8, 1875, in St. Louis to Hannah Meahan and John Stanton. She entered at Carondelet on June 21, 1895, received the habit on March 19, 1896, and professed vows on March 19, 1898. Her final vows were taken on August 15, 1903. Sister was a music teacher at St. Patrick, Denver, Colorado; St. Patrick, Sedalia, Missouri; Nazareth Academy, Muskogee, Oklahoma; St. Viator, Chicago; and Holy Angels, Indianapolis. After that she became superior at the motherhouse in Carondelet, then in Mobile at St. Patrick and St. Joseph. She taught music at Our Lady of the Presentation in Overland, Missouri, and St. Columban in Chillicothe, Missouri, after which she taught music at St. Joseph Home for the Friendless in Chicago, then St. Peter in Oconto, Wisconsin. She retired to Nazareth in 1940. Her remains are buried in Row 1, Grave 14 at Resurrection Cemetery.