Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Rita Estelle Broussard CSC

April 13, 1900 - Jan. 1, 2003

South Bend Tribune 1/2/2003

Sister M. Rita Estelle (Estelle Rita Broussard), CSC, was born April 13, 1900, the seventh child of Joseph Eloi and Mary Belle Bordages Broussard. Sister is survived by her nieces, Katherine Belle Doyle, Annette Stienman, Therese Ruddy, all of Beaumont, Texas, Mary Elizabeth Donovan and Joanne Polk, Houston, Texas, Estelle Schlueter, Pasadena, Calif., Barbara Costello, LaJolla, Calif., Mary Jo Murphy and Loretta Therese Warner, both of Laude, Mo., Elizabeth Bernsen, Boise, Idaho, Mary Belle Cagle, Lake Charles, La., Frances Marie Strachan, Loudonville, N.Y., and Anne Marie Broussard, Montgomery, Texas. Also nephews, Joseph E. Broussard II, Joseph E. Polk, James S. Polk, and Thomas Polk, all of Beaumont, Texas, Louis Broussard, Sr., Burkenville, Texas, David Weir, Loudonville, N.Y., Roland Polk, Alta Loma, Texas, William Roane, Silsbee, Texas, Daniel Dutton, Los Altos, Calif., and Phelps Wood, Pasadena, Calif.

Sister obtained her early education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Anthony), Beaumont, and came to Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., where she pursued her musical studies, graduating in 1921 with a Bachelor of Arts in music. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1921. At the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago, Ill., Sister graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1924, and a Masters in Music in 1926. She became an accomplished pianist and studied with Silvio Scionti the eminent pedagogue and duo-pianist, and Austin Conradi, famed pianist of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Md. He was the most noted teacher in piano. In her 80s, Sister learned and performed all the violin and piano sonatas of Charles Ives. She toured the East Coast areas and Texas with famed violinist Erno Valasek.

Sister Rita Estelle taught music at Saint Mary's College and Academy, Notre Dame, 1923-1930 and at the Academy of Holy Cross, Austin, Texas, 1930-1933. She next taught music at the Academy of Holy Cross, Washington DC, 1933-1949, and was transferred to Dunbarton College of Holy Cross, Washington DC, in 1949. It was at Dunbarton, during her 40 years there, that she founded and was Dean of music department. As a teacher, mentor and friend, she influenced scores of students who have gone to eminent careers. She remained at Dunbarton and taught private music lessons until 1974 when she retired to Saint Angela Hall, Kensington Md. At St. Angela Hall she continued teaching private piano students and volunteered her services to the local community. In 1985 Sister became active in the Ministry of Prayer at St. Angela Hall.

She retired to Saint Mary's Convent in 1999, and kept everyone entertained when she would go to the Lourdes Assembly Hall to practice on her beloved piano. She was active in the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind., 46556.

Reception of the body will be: Friday, Jan. 3, 2003 at 3 p.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind. Wake Service, Friday, Jan. 3, 2003 at 7 p.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind. Funeral Services, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at 10:30 a.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.