Lillian Mary Sullivan

Lillian Mary was born November 29, 1901 at their home Forttownsend, at St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada, to John and Mary Ellen (McCort) Sullivan, the fourth of five children. She also had a half-brother and a half-sister. After graduation from the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1918, she attended business school. By December that year she had her first job earning what she called the "princely sum" of $6.00 a week! Lillian had been on the winning team in a world-wide shorthand contest, and the level of her competency makes one question that "princely sum."

After 17 years of stenography and bookkeeping experience, Lillian’s desire for "something more" in her life led her to Clyde where she entered the postulancy on March 25, 1935. One of her brothers had been ordained to the priesthood and they shared their spiritual aspirations in life. He was present for the occasion of her first profession of vows on February 6, 1937 when she received the name of Sr. M. Edith, later returning to her baptismal name. Perpetual profession was on February 10, 1942. Because of her many years of experience, sister’s business acumen was apparent as she worked in the C.D. at Clyde and then as bookkeeper for many years. She helped "update" the bookkeeping system by the purchase of an adding machine which would also subtract! This was opposed by some sisters who feared that "the sisters’ brains would suffer by too much dependency on machines." While bookkeeper at Clyde, sometimes she would tell Sr. Josephine who was in charge of the farm, that it was time to sell another bull because money was needed to pay the bills. In September 1954 she became Treasurer General and helped install the first Sensimatic bookkeeping machine.

Sr. Lillian Mary loved music and valued cultural enrichment. As a hobby she liked to knit. Intellectual stimulation was also very important to her and she did much reading before she lost her eyesight. Something else that was less universally known was that she liked to "hug a tree." And until the end of her life she had opportunities to "hug the tree of the cross" and be embraced by the Lord of her life whose suffering she shared. In January 1963 she moved to our Tucson monastery where she did bookkeeping and later worked in the correspondence dept. Her gift for writing was also evident in the chronicles she kept which not only provided thorough information but were seasoned with her unique Irish wit. In December 1987 she moved into the St. Benedict Health Care community in St. Louis. For someone who loved to read and to admire the beauties and colors of nature, the gradual loss of vision was not an easy cross to bear. When she became legally blind she began to study Braille.

On April 1, 1993 Lillian fell and broke her leg. The break was severe and she could not have endured the pain without surgery, although this was a risk for her age and frail condition. The surgery was successful, and she was anxious to return to the monastery saying: "Just take me home, you can heal me." But her health and strength continued to fail. When she became aware that death was imminent, she said that she was ready and not afraid, and expressed gratitude for all that was done for her: "Oh, such good people!" The sisters kept prayerful vigil with her Friday night and throughout the day on Saturday. Sister Lillian Mary had said that after death she would be "joining the dance of the Holy Trinity." She entered into that dance at 8:35 PM Easter Saturday evening. A group of sisters gathered in the room and prayed for our departed sister. The next morning, Sunday after Easter, the Communion song took on a profoundly new meaning, with memories of our sister who had just died: "I am the Word that leads all to freedom; I am the peace the world cannot give. I will call your name, embracing all your pain; stand up now, walk, and live! Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine."

Funeral liturgy was celebrated in our St. Louis monastery chapel at 8:30 AM, Tuesday, April 20, 1993, with burial at Mt. Calvary cemetery at Clyde the following day.³