Sister Mary Lucy Kramer, OSB

Sister Mary Lucy Kramer, OSB, 92, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kan., died Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Thursday, February 5, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Friday, February 6, at 10:30 a.m. 

Sister Mary Lucy was born on Nov. 9, 1933, in Atchison, the oldest of four children. She grew up in a rural area near Atchison known as Good Intent, Kansas, and graduated from Lillis High School in Kansas City, Missouri. After attending Mount St. Scholastica College, she entered the Benedictine community in 1953 and made her lifetime profession in 1958. She taught in elementary schools in Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas for 20 years before training for the profession that she would enjoy for the rest of her life. She earned a master’s degree in the teaching of English as a second language and began teaching in the ESL program at Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kan., where she remained for more than 30 years. Also holding a certificate in vocal music from the UMKC Conservatory, she was a gifted soloist and choir member at her Kansas City parish and at the monastery. 

Sister Mary Lucy was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Florence (Dooley) Kramer, her brother Francis James, her sisters Dorothy Ann Thornton and Kay Culey. She is survived by nieces, nephews and her monastic family. Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica or made online at the Mount’s website.

*Watch the Mass of Resurrection

Reflection for the Vigil of Mary Lucy Kramer, OSB

by Sister Barbara Conroy

Blessed are all of us that we had Mary Lucy be a part of our lives, for she has given to each of us a spirit of love and compassion. Mary Lucy was truly a beatitude woman. A woman filled with compassion, humility, peacemaking, and an inner beauty.  

Mary Lucy’s inner beauty shone forth through her beautiful smile and words of love. I remember meeting Mary Lucy when she taught at Donnelly College. She was concerned about each student and staff member. She had a special tug on her heart for those who needed a little extra care. She wanted everybody to succeed and be the best person that they could be. Blessed are the staff and students at Donnelly College, for they had Mary Lucy be a part of their lives.

Mary Lucy also shared her inner beauty in a musical way by blowing her French horn in the Lillis High School Band with her classmate Sister Mary Grace Malaney and singing with the parish and monastery choirs. For she who sings, prays twice was her motto. Blessed are all those who were graced to hear Mary Lucy’s music.

Mary Lucy seemed to be the peacemaker in her family. Her gentle spirit was one of invitation for a good visit, one filled with the sharing of many memories. In her last year, she had a digital photo frame in her room that rotated many pictures of her family. Every time the pictures flashed by, she was proud to tell all of us who they were and how important each of them was to her. Blessed are her family members, both living and deceased, who were touched by Mary Lucy’s spirit.

Mary Lucy was a faithful Benedictine. In 1953, she entered Mount St Scholastica, not far from her family home. She was not only faithful to the sisters to whom she professed stability, but she was also faithful in teaching the young for 50 years. She was a very patient woman. Mary Lucy put 100% into everything that she did. Blessed is the Benedictine community in Atchison who were touched by Mary Lucy’s spirit. 

Mary Lucy’s favorite song was “Eye Has Not Seen.” “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love Him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.” As Mary Lucy declined physically and mentally, she always had her smile, her kind words, and her gratitude. The Dooley Center staff loved Mary Lucy and were so excited when she felt good enough to join us for gatherings. Mary Lucy will be missed in many ways. Blessed are the Dooley Center Staff who patiently take care of us as we decline, for they had the chance to meet Mary Lucy.

Rejoice and be glad, Mary Lucy, because great is your reward in heaven.