In Memoriam: Sister Mary Benet Goodrum

Sister Mary Benet Goodrum, 87, of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, died at 3:12 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021, at the monastery.

Sister Mary Benet was born Joan Goodrum on November 19, 1933 in Evansville, Indiana, the eldest of two daughters of Paul and Blanche (Brokaw) Goodrum. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1950 from St. Joseph Parish and made her monastic vows in 1952.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Julia Ann (Goodrum) Meyer. She is survived by her half-sister, Peggy Marie (Goodrum) Stevens; her brother-in-law James Phillip Meyer; her niece Elaine (Meyer) and husband Brad Gray; her nephew David Meyer and wife Laurie; her niece Paula (Meyer) Cheek; and her religious family.

Sister Mary Benet attended St. Benedict College and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Spalding University and a Master’s degree in Library Science from Ball State University.

She taught elementary students at St. Mary School in Washington; St. Philip School in St. Philip; Sacred Heart School in Vincennes; Holy Rosary School in Evansville; North Spencer School Corporation in St. Meinrad; and served as teacher and Librarian for elementary and intermediate students at Barr-Reeve Community Schools in Montgomery, all in Indiana.

At the end of her teaching career, Sister Mary Benet spent four months on sabbatical at the North American College in Rome, Italy, then returned to work in Supportive Services at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand. She most recently served in Prayer Ministry in Hildegard Health Center in Ferdinand.

Visitation will be in Alumnae Center at the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, Monday, July 26 from 2:00 to 6:45 p.m. and Tuesday, July 27 from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. A public vigil will be held in the monastery church on Monday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will held on Tuesday, July 27 at 4:30 p.m. with burial in the monastic cemetery following services. Social distancing and masks will be required for all who are unvaccinated. Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand is in charge of the arrangements.

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