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S. Vera Heintz OSB, 94, died Wednesday, September 1, 2010 in the Care Center at Sacred Heart Monastery.
A wake was held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 3 and the Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, September 4 at 10:30 a.m. in Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel, Yankton. Burial was in the monastery cemetery
Mary Heintz was born October 24, 1915 to Adam and Susan (Hartman) Heintz on the family farm near Bowdle, SD. She was oldest of eight children. She attended school in Bowdle, Hosmer, Aberdeen and a country school near Bowdle. In 1936, due to the depression, her parents and other siblings moved to Washington State in search of employment.
Mary entered Sacred Heart Monastery on July 14, 1933, was invested as a novice the following year receiving the name, Vera, and made first profession on June 24, 1935. She then began a 59-year ministry in elementary education in Nebraska, Colorado, North and South Dakota, with her most recent mission being at Holy Trinity Grade School in Hartington, NE where she taught and then served as a teacher aide from 1982 – 1994. Following her retirement from teaching she returned to the monastery and assisted with chapel and monastery duties. She celebrated her 75th jubilee of profession on July 30, 2010.
S. Vera was a prayerful, quiet and humble woman who loved teaching and each of the students who came into her life. She missed being close to her biological family after their move to Washington, and looked forward to her vacations spent with them. She also loved reading to sisters in the Care Center who could no longer see.
S. Vera is survived by her Benedictine community; three sisters: Genevieve Cox, Pauline Johnson and Joy Foy of Washington State; one brother, George Heintz of California, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister.
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord,
and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her.
May She Rest in Peace. |
