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In Memoriam: Sister Lorraine DeVault

Sister Lorraine DeVault, 92, of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, died at 11:05 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020, at the monastery.

Sister Lorraine was born Rosalie DeVault on August 22, 1928, the fifth of five children of Everett and Helen Cecilia (Patterson) DeVault.  She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1949 and made her profession of monastic vows in 1951.  She celebrated the 65th anniversary of her profession in 2016.

She is survived by nieces and nephews, and members of her religious community. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary Margaret Allen and Elizabeth (Betty) Wessell; and her brothers, Charles and Louis.

Sister Lorraine earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Benedict College and her master’s degree in Education from St. Francis (College) University.  She taught at Christ the King School, Holy Rosary School, and St. Benedict School, all in Evansville; at St. Mary School in Washington; and at St. Matthew School in Mt. Vernon.  She was principal at St. Joseph School in Evansville; at Holy Family School in Jasper; and at St. James School in Haubstadt.  She also worked as an Administrative Secretary for the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand; as Secretary for the Sisters of Charity in Nazareth, KY; in Supportive Services at St. Mary Parish in Mitchell; and as Teacher’s Aide at St. Vincent de Paul School and a volunteer at the Medical Center, both in Bedford.  After returning to the Ferdinand, she served as Chauffeur, on Switchboard, and in Purchasing.  She most recently served in the Ministry of Prayer at Hildegard Health Center in Ferdinand.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation and funeral liturgies will be private for community members and family only on Sunday, October 4, and Monday, October 5.  She will be buried in the monastic cemetery on Monday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.