Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Alma Peter CSC

July 28, 1909 - March 7, 2008

South Bend Tribune 3/10/2008
NOTRE DAME - Sister M. Alma (Lucille Rose Peter), CSC, 98, was born in Woodstock, IL, to the late August Charles and Mary Nienhaus Peter. She is survived by her sister, Adeline Schmitt, Florida; nieces, Mary Teresa (Jack) Zoia, Minnesota, and Nancy (Byron) Cook, Wisconsin; nephews, David and Peter Richards, California, and Thomas Schmitt, Florida; and many friends. Before entering the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1928, Sister was a student at Saint Mary's School and Saint Mary's High School, Woodstock, IL. After entering the Congregation, Sister Alma attended Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, CA, where she received her BS degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics and German in 1937. She attended Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, and received her MS degree in inorganic chemistry with a minor in organic chemistry in 1950. Saint Mary's College honored Sister Alma with a Honoris Causa degree in 1970 and University of Notre Dame with an L.L.D. in 1972.

A teacher for elementary school, Sister Alma taught in Beverly Hills, CA. She then taught in high schools in California, Illinois and Indiana. She was assigned in 1950 to Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, as a chemistry teacher and Dean of Freshmen. In 1955 she was named Academic Dean for Saint Mary's College and in 1969 named Assistant to the President of the College. Sister Alma was named acting president of Saint Mary's College, 1970-1972. Sister Alma was managing the overseas program for the College, 1972-1974, and spent two years in Rome, Italy, still associated with the program. When she returned to the States, Sister again managed the overseas program for the college. Sister Alma was elected religious superior for Lourdes Convent, Saint Mary's, and retiring in 1987 remained at Lourdes Convent. The next move for Sister was to Saint Mary's Convent, where she was active in the Ministry of Prayer 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. Reception of the Body and Wake on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 9:30 a.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Funeral services: Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 1:30 p.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.