Obituary of Mary Loyola Schmidt

In Memory of SISTER MARY LOYOLA SCHMIDT OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR (January 21, 1916 - July 15, 2009) Sister Mary Loyola Schmidt of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar went to her eternal reward on July 15, 2009, at Franciscan Courts in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She was 93 years old. She died unexpectedly but peacefully. She was resigned to the Lord's will and repeatedly said that she was ready whenever the Lord called. She suffered from a heart condition which was inoperable. Also both knees were causing her much pain. Sister Mary Loyola was born on January 21, 1916, in Schnufenhofern, Bavaria, Germany to Josepha and Kreszanz (Leisel) Schmidt. She was one of nine children. Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother on April 7, 1936 in Abenberg, Germany. She was invested on August 12, 1937 in Rome and came to the United States in October, 1937 from Rome on the Italian ship Saturnia. When she arrived in Milwaukee, she was assigned to the sewing room. She attended high school classes at the Motherhouse. Four daughers of the Schmidt family joined the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. They were: Sisters Mary Theophana, Mary Romana, Mary Walburgis and Mary Loyola. Sister was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by three sisters: Mrs. Margaret Harfolk and Sister Mary Romana, in Abenberg, Germany; and Sister Mary Walburgis in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Sister Mary Loyola ministered from 1941-1957 as a nurse in Port Washington and Tomahawk, Wisconsin and then in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. She recalled that she was sent to Port Washington to help care for the Sisters who had just arrived from Europe and were suffering from typhoid fever. Her next years, 1957-1968, were spent as a teacher in Milwaukee, Thiensville and Phillips, Wisconsin. She also taught in Sharpsburg, PA. In 1968 she was missioned to Denville, New Jersey, where she served the guests in the dining room, helped in the library and ministered as sacristan for 40 years. She always said that wherever she went, God helped her do the impossible. She would then add that she was always happy doing what she was asked to do. Sister Mary Loyola came to live a SSM Franciscan Courts in November, 2008, hoping to have knee replacement surgery, and to be close to her sister, Sister M. Walburgis. It was a grace for the two of them to have time to reminisce and share. Sister Mary Loyola loved flowers. When in Denville, she tended them in the gardens and especially loved making beautiful floral arrangements for chapel and special occasions. Prayer was essential to Sister M. Loyola. She spent hours in chapel in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, praying for the needs of the Community, especially after she came to Oshkosh. Sister Mary Loyola made First Vows in 1939 and her Perpetual Vows in 1944. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1962, her Golden Jubilee in 1986, her 60th Year Jubilee in 1999 and was planning on celebrating her 70th Jubilee in September of 2009. Sister Mary Loyola will be missed by the Sisters at Franciscan Courts and at St. Francis in Denville. She always took an active part in planned activities. She was eager to join in the fun and games and laughed easily and often. At prayer she used her strong voice in praising God and wanted those around her to do the same. The Homecoming for Sister Mary Loyola was held at SSM Francsican Courts on Monday, July 20, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. The Mass of Christain burial was celebrated on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. and Father Bill Kuhr officiated. Interment followed at the Riverside Cemetery. It was in sadness that we said our good-byes to Sister M. Loyola. A Memorial Mass will be held on Sunday October 4, 2009 at 10:30 AM at St. Francis Chapel 9 Pocono Road Denville, NJ. Donations are being accepted to St. Francis Residential Community 122 Diamond Spring Road Denville, New Jersey 07834.