Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Louise Cecile Betz CSC

Nov. 4, 1902 - Nov. 3, 2000

South Bend Tribune 11/5/2000

Sister M. Louise Cecile (Mary Louise Betz), CSC, 97, died on Friday, Nov. 3, in Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Ind.

Sister Louise Cecile was born in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4, 1902, a daughter of Andrew and Frances Grasse Betz. Sister is survived by her nieces and nephews.

Sister Louise Cecile entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1924 and made her first vows in 1927. She began her elementary teaching career in 1924 at Sacred Heart School in Fort Wayne and, in 1927, moved to Saint Patrick's School, South Bend, Ind. She taught music in the elementary schools: Holy Trinity, Norfolk, Va., St. Paul's Academy, New York, N.Y., Sacred Heart Academy, Lancaster, Pa., St. Cecilia's Academy and Blessed Sacrament School, Washington D.C., and returned to St. Paul's, New York. Her music teaching, from 1927 to 1984, spanned 57 years. In 1963-1969, Sister was music supervisor in the Washington, D.C. area. After retirement to Saint Angela's, Kensington, Md., in 1985, Sister taught music part time.

Sister was assigned to Saint Mary's Convent, South Bend, in 1988, and was active in volunteer service and then in the ministry of prayer until her death.

Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, followed by interment at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.