In Memoriam: Sister Mary Alice Schnur, OSB
Sister Mary Alice Schnur, 94, of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, died at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2017, in the monastery’s Hildegard Health Center.
Sister Mary Alice was born October 5, 1922, in Cypress, Indiana, the second of eight children born to George P. and Alice E. (Heuke) Schnur. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1940 and made her profession of monastic vows in 1942. She celebrated 75 years of monastic profession on August 10, 2017.
She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Virginia (Ginny) Schnur, Margaret Schnur, Dottie Schnur Cummins, and a brother-in-law, Dan Thomas; nieces and nephews; and members of her religious community. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Edward, Harold, James, William, and Joseph; and two sisters, Sister Maura Schnur, OSB, and Mickie Schnur Thomas.
Sister Mary Alice taught elementary school at St. Bartholomew School in Columbus, St. Anthony School in Jeffersonville, St. Meinrad Elementary School in St. Meinrad, and at Ferdinand Elementary School in Ferdinand. She served as an art teacher at Academy Immaculate Conception, St. Benedict College, and Ferdinand High School / Forest Park, all in Ferdinand. She also served as a formation director for the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. In 1975, Sister Mary Alice was sent as a missionary to Monasterio Reina de la Paz in Cobán, Guatemala. While in Guatemala, Sister Mary Alice served as director of religious education at San Marcos Parish, worked in prison ministry, served as director of initial formation and as the religious superior for the community. She also opened an art center, worked as an artist, and taught art classes. Sister Mary Alice returned to Ferdinand in 2007 and worked in supportive services at the monastery. She most recently served in the ministry of prayer.
Visitation will be at the monastery on Tuesday, August 22, from 3:00 – 6:45 p.m. EDT and on Wednesday, August 23, from 2:00 – 4:15 p.m. EDT. A wake service will be Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The funeral Mass will be on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. EDT in the monastery church followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.
Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.