Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister Mary Duane Benvegnu CSC

Aug. 29, 1917 - March 28, 2004

South Bend Tribune 3/30/2004

Sister Mary Duane (Violette Lucia Benvegnu) CSC, 86, was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah, to the late John Benvegnu and Lucia Scussel Benvegnu. Sister is survived by her sister, Mary Richeda of Katy, Texas; sister-in-law, Lillian P. Benvegnu of Murray, Utah; nephews, Ray Richeda, Carl J. (Shari) Benvegnu, John Benvegnu and Tony (Eileen) Benvegnu, all of Texas; and cousins, Celestina Scussel of Italy and Joseph Benvegnu of Utah.

Sister Mary Duane received her early education at schools in Utah. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1937, made her first profession in 1940 and final profession in 1943. Sister trained as a teacher and taught in elementary schools until 1947, and then moved into secondary education in California. She received her bachelor of arts degree, major in Spanish from Saint Mary of the Wasatch, Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1945. Sister continued teaching in secondary schools in the west, and in 1964 was chosen for a Fulbright Scholarship to Spain. She received her master in arts degree with a major in Spanish. She continued in secondary education and in 1977 became the CCD Coordinator at Saint Anne's Parish, Pharr, Texas, was in parish ministry at Saint Anthony's Parish, Harlingen, Texas, 1978, and 1981 in the Diocesan Office of Social Services, Centro Pastoral, Fresno, Calif. In 1990, Sister was tutoring in San Joaquin Memorial High School, Fresno, Calif. She retired to St. Catherine by the Sea, Ventura, Calif., in 1995 and in 1999 returned to Saint Mary's Convent, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind., where she was active in the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Reception of the Body and wake service will be at 4 p.m. today, March 30, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.