+Sister Christelle Conway, O.S.B.
September 14, 1931 - June 21, 2010

Sister Christelle Conway, OSB, 78, a Benedictine Sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kans., died Monday, June 21, 2010, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Friday, June 25, at 7 p.m in the monastery chapel and the Mass of Resurrection will be offered there Saturday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m.

Born to Francis Michael and Clara Elizabeth Boschert Conway September 14, 1931, Sister Christelle grew up in a family of eight children in Chillicothe, Mo. There she attended St. Columban's School and St. Joseph Academy. After graduation she entered the Benedictine Sisters in June, 1949, and made monastic profession Jan. 1, 1951. At Mount St. Scholastica College, she earned the Bachelor's degree in education with a minor in mathematics. Sister Christelle taught in Panama, Iowa; in Corning, Wamego, and Horton, Kans.; in Omaha, Nebr.; and in Clyde and Kansas City, Mo. (Guardian Angels). For over 35 years she taught math either at Bishop LeBlond High School, St. Joseph, Mo; or at Mount St. Scholastica Academy, Atchison. As dean of students at both high schools and assistant to the principal, she was known for her sense of humor and sense of justice. Sister Christelle was preceded in death by her parents; by her brothers John, Lawrence, Mike, and James Patrick; and by her sister Mary Elizabeth (Connie) Smith. She is survived by her sisters Mary Louise Haynes, Chillicothe, Mo.; and Caroline Jeffries, Kansas City, Mo.; by nieces and nephews, cousins, and by her monastic family.

Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica.

Let us remember her gratefully in our prayers.


S. Christelle's memorial card

"Sing a new song to the Lord
Who has done marvelous deeds.”
Psalm 98:1

Sister Christelle Conway was the daughter of Francis Michael and Clara Elizabeth Boschert Conway and grew up in Chillicothe, Mo. Just after graduating from St. Joseph Academy there, she entered the Mount community in 1949, and made monastic profession in 1951. At Mount St. Scholastica College she earned the Bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in mathematics. She liked math, liked to see it at work, and taught it that way. She had a great love of her family, for her Irish heritage and its music, and for her monastic vocation. A faithful, witty, and compassionate friend, she was always willing to help. She spent over 35 years either at Bishop LeBlond High School in St. Joseph, Mo., or at Mount St. Scholastica Academy where she taught, was dean of students and assistant to the principal. Sister Christelle is known by her friends in community as someone who was never bored; she had the art of making things happen in community life and in the schools she served. Each year she organized an all-city Mass in St. Joseph, an event that was an example of her inclusiveness and sense of justice. A former student, now in professional life, characterized Sister Christelle by saying, “She was a teacher you wanted to please.” Let us remember her in grateful prayer.

Reflection for the Vigil Service for Sister Christelle by Sister Constance Krstolic.