Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Sylvia Maurer CSC

April 13, 1922 - Nov. 4, 2002

South Bend Tribune 11/7/2002

Sister M. Sylvia, CSC, (Marjorie Maurer), 80, was born in Saint Cloud, Minn., on April 13, 1922, to the late Leo and Edna Boos Maurer. She is survived by her sister, Yvette (Dean) Bushnell, Hendersonville, N.C.; her brothers, Col. Howard Maurer, Dowell, Md., and Keith Maurer, St. Cloud; and by a niece, Maureen Jovanovich, St. Cloud. Before entering the Congregation, Sister Sylvia was legal secretary and court reporter for the Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1948 and made vows in 1951. She began her teaching career, 1951-1959, in grade school in South Bend, Ind., and then moved on to high school in Anderson, Ind., Flint, Mich., and Woodstock, Ill. She was asked to be a member of the administration of the Novitiate at Saint Mary's from 1959-1969. Sister Sylvia had taken courses at Saint Cloud Business College and the University of Maryland Extension, Washington, D.C, before entering the Congregation. She continued her education at Saint Mary's College, receiving a BA degree in English and Education, 1959. Later she continued at Saint Mary's College, receiving an MA degree in 1965 and her Ph.D. in Sacred Doctrine in 1967. Sister traveled to Rome, Italy, for further graduate studies. Between 1970 and 1975, Sister was active in adult education and acted as an internal resource team member.

She taught in secondary education at St. Patrick's Academy, Washington, D.C., and in 1977 was accepted to the faculty of Saint Mary's College, Winona, Minn., as full professor in the Department of Theology. She served as faculty secretary for two years and as chairman of the department for three years. During her tenure she published many articles and reviews in numerous religious-based publications. She resigned her position in 1990, returning to Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind.

Sister Sylvia remained active at Mary's Solitude, a retreat facility on the campus of Saint Mary's, giving spiritual direction and retreats to those who came to Mary's Solitude. She retired in late 2002, and was active in the Ministry of Prayer at Saint Mary's Convent 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. Wake services will be at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame.