Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/7/2001

Sister Marie Bush

June 1, 1936 - Jan. 6, 2001

Sister Marie Bush (Pamela Louise Bush), 64, was born on June 1, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, daughter of Daniel F. Bush and Mary Louise Leg Bush. She died on Saturday, Jan. 6, in Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Ind.

She is survived by her brother, Craig Bush of Longwood, Fla.; sisters, Judith Clark of Lake Mary, Fla., and Elaine (Bill) Fencl of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; her father's wife, Edith Bush of Columbus, Ohio; and by several nieces and nephews.

Sister Marie Bush entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1954, made her first vows in 1957, and final vows in 1960. She taught in elementary schools: Our Lady Help of Christians, Abington, Pa., 1957-1958; Saint Paul the Apostle, Richardson, Texas, 1958-1963; Saint Paul the Apostle, New York City, NY, 1963-1968; and Saint Peter's School, Washington, D.C., teacher and principal, 1968-1973. She returned to South Bend, Ind., to parish ministry at Saint Mary of the Assumption Church working in a program called Project Understanding at Notre Dame, 1973-1975.

Sister requested and was assigned to foreign ministry work in Bangladesh. There she taught at Holy Cross High School, Dacca, as needed, in grades 1 through 10, 1975-1984, and was head mistress of the school, 1984-1988. She came back to the United States on medical leave in 1988. Because of health concerns, Sister remained in the state and worked in the Development Office of Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame. She was on the novitiate staff of the Sisters of the Holy Cross when it was located in Chicago, Ill., 1989-1990. In 1990 Sister Marie became a health care intern at Saint John's Medical Center, Anderson, Ind. Since 1991, Sister Marie has been the cognitive rehabilitation specialist at Saint John's Medical Center, Anderson. She remained serving her beloved Saint John's Medical Center and was commissioned vice president of mission in 1997. Sister was named a member of Mount Carmel board of directors. She remained in Anderson until her physical condition demanded that she return to Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, for more specialized care. Sister Marie died on Jan. 6, 2001.

Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, followed by interment at Our Lady 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.