Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Sister Marie Imelda Neville CSC

April 28, 1919 - Nov. 17, 2007

 

South Bend Tribune 11/19/2007
SOUTH BEND - Sister Marie Imelda (Mary Margaret Neville) CSC was born in Anamosa, IA, and was adopted, as an infant, and lovingly raised by Francis J. and Jennie Neville, both of whom are deceased. Sister is survived by cousins, William G. Donnelly and Julie Donnelly, both of Iowa. She is preceded by her cousin, Mary (Orval) Fleckenstein, IA. Sister's education was in public schools in Anamosa, and she taught school for six years. She received her BA degree from Iowa State Teachers College and an MA in mathematics from the University of Michigan.

 

Sister was interested in becoming a religious, contacted Holy Cross and entered in 1954. She began a span of 42 years teaching in senior high schools with an emphasis on mathematics. Sister received an MS degree in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN. She had the foresight to begin before-school classes in computer programming and taught computer science courses. When she was at Saint Joseph's High School, South Bend, she managed the computer lab. As a former student said in his book sendmail for Linux, "I would like to thank Sister Marie Imelda, CSC, who, back in the late 70s, thought that this microcomputer craze might just catch on, and fought and struggled to teach a bunch of goofy high school kids how to program. Thanks Sister." Sister also accompanied students on field trips, primarily in the States. She branched out with a group to Rome, Paris and Canada. Sister retired to Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, IN, in 2002, and 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, IN 46556. Reception of the Body and Wake service will be Monday, November 19, 2007, at 4 p.m., in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. The funeral service will be Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Kaniewski Funeral Home handled arrangements.