St. Scholastica Monastery - Obituaries

Obituaries - In Loving Memory

Sister Mary Charles McGough

Sister Mary Charles (Mary Helen) McGough, OSB, 82, of St. Scholastica Monastery, died on Sunday, September 2, 2007, at the Monastery. She entered the Duluth Benedictine Community on September 8, 1943, and made her first monastic profession on January 6, 1946. On August 15, 1970, Sister Mary Charles celebrated her Silver Jubilee and in 1995 her Golden Jubilee. She was in her 61th year of monastic profession.

Sister Mary Charles (Molly) was born to Justin Hugh McGough and Ruth (Brownell) on April 18, 1925, in Cloquet. She received her high school education at Duluth Cathedral High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts from The College of St. Scholastica, a Masters in Education from the University of Minnesota, and a Master’s of Fine Arts from Notre Dame University.

Sister Mary Charles began her teaching career in 1949 as second grade teacher at St. Bridget’s School, Minneapolis. The following year she taught Art and Religion at Stanbrook Hall, Duluth. She taught in the Elementary Education Program at The College of St. Scholastica (1951-1954) and then grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 at St. Anthony’s School in Duluth (1954 to 1959). From 1959 to 1967 she headed the Art Department at The College of St. Scholastica.

During the summers, Sister Mary Charles taught catechism classes at several sites, including Cass Lake and the Nett Lake Reservation. She was well known for beginning the summer “Barn Program” in 1968 when the carriage house on the McCabe property became an art studio. There she taught children various creative activities: writing, science, dance, song, musical instruments, and art. This program continued for 18 years. The Barn became Sister’s home for many years and was a place where visitors were always greeted by the resident dog. Sister Mary Charles loved animals, and there was always a dog and a cat to keep her company.

Sister Mary Charles was gifted in many art mediums: wood cuts, wood carvings, ceramics, sculptures, and watercolors, to name a few. She also designed the cover of the Sisters Today magazine for more than 30 years. Her works can be found today throughout the world—in people’s homes, in houses of worship, and even outdoors. She was not afraid to commit to huge projects such as the wall at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in Duluth, the logo on the outside of St. Mary’s Medical Center, the Peace Doors at The College of St. Scholastica, and a wall sculpture at the Benedictine Health Center in Duluth. Sister was commissioned to do many creative or artistic projects for various organizations and for churches of many religious denominations. Indeed, her work was quite ecumenical as she established relationships with and provided art for Temple Israel and for Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Catholic churches, to name a few.

Sister Mary Charles began studies in iconography in 1990. Her subsequent work with icons was commissioned by individuals and parishes nationwide. Her commissioned pieces included “Mother of Compassion” at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, “Our Lady of Glastonbury” at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Massachusetts, and “St. Bernard of Clairvaux,” at the church named for him in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sister Mary Charles was especially honored to have created “Our Lady of Compassion” icon for the Diocesan AIDS Ministry Office in Worchester, Massachusetts, where each AIDS patient receives a copy of that image. As Sister Mary Charles’ need for larger studio space grew, she created Subiaco Studio, located in the old St. Anthony School.

Sister Mary Charles had a passion for people as well as art. That was evident during her teaching and throughout the years of children’s summer programs at the Barn. Sister said her greatest joy was teaching, or as she would say, “in helping others discover the creative spark within themselves.” She always made sure there would be sufficient scholarships to provide for young people who wanted to attend but could not afford the fee. Sister’s Irish wit and humor were evident in her relationships with others and during the many watercolor and iconography workshops she taught. She instilled in others a sense of the power of art: “I know that art has the power to teach, to heal, to comfort, to challenge, to entertain, and to help people pray,” she said.

Sister Mary Charles was a long-time member of Pax Christi, an international peace organization, and could always be counted on to be a part of a peace rally or to write a letter to the editor when she saw some injustice that needed attention. She was dedicated to the work of the Damiano Center, to the Loaves and Fishes Community, to CHUM, and to any other organization that cared for poor or marginalized people. She was more than generous with her time and talent to support the just treatment of all people.

Sister Mary Charles was preceded in death by her father Justin McGough, her mother Ruth (Brownell), and her beloved friend, Bishop Paul Anderson, and her apprentice, Gary Erickson.

In addition to the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery she is survived by two brothers, John Hugh McGough, and Charles Brownell McGough, and by one sister, Patricia Ruth O’Brien, many nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Click here to read Father Gabriel Baltes' homily.

Sister Barbara Ann Tushar

Sister Barbara Ann (Antoinette) Tushar, OSB, 85, St. Scholastica Monastery, died on Monday, August 27, 2007, in Benet Hall at the Monastery. She entered the Duluth Benedictine Community in 1939 and professed monastic vows in 1941. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee on August 15, 1966, and her Golden Jubilee on July 28, 1991. She was in the 66th year of her monastic profession.

Sister Barbara Ann was born on September 27, 1921, in Elcor (Gilbert), MN. She received her high school education at Villa St. Scholastica, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The College St. Scholastica, and received certification for elementary education from the State of Minnesota. In 1941 Sister Barbara Ann began teaching primary grades in Duluth at St. Clement, St. Lawrence, and St. John schools. She taught primary grades in Grand Rapids at St. Joseph School; Grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Cincinnati at Our Mother of Sorrows School; and Grade 2 at St. Timothy in Chicago and at St. Leo in Hibbing. She served as house parent at St. James Children’s Home, Duluth, and was teacher and prefect at St. Gertrude’s School in Washington, D.C.

Sister Barbara Ann was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Gertrude (Yerasha), four brothers, John, Paul, William, and Frank; three sisters, Mary Pirjevec, Gertrude Zakrajsek, and Sister Sylvia Tushar, OSB. Besides the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, she is survived by one sister, Dolores Schweiger of Gilbert; a sister-in-law, Julie Tushar; and many nephews and nieces.

A wake service was held on Thursday, August 30, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, St. Scholastica Monastery, with visitation until 10:45 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel. Father David Tushar presided. Interment was in Gethsemane Cemetery. Memorials to St. Scholastica Monastery are preferred. Arrangements were by Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home.

Sister Matthew Laurich

Sister Matthew Laurich, OSB, 96, of St. Scholastica Monastery, died on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at the Monastery. She entered the Duluth Benedictine Community on August 31, 1932, and professed monastic vows in 1934. She was in her 73rd year of monastic profession.

Sister Matthew was born on May 30, 1911, in Hibbing, Minnesota, where she attended McGolrick Institute and Hibbing High School. She lived in Hibbing until her entry into religious life.

Her many years as a cook and housekeeper took Sister Matthew to a number of convents. She served at Holy Name Convent, Wayzata; St. Bridget’s Convent, Minneapolis; St. Peter’s, Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, St. James, and Cathedral High School Convents, all in Duluth; St. Benedict’s and St. Leo’s Convents, Hibbing; St. Joseph’s Convent, Cloquet; and St. Timothy’s Convent, Chicago, Illinois. Sister Matthew also worked in food service at St. Scholastica Monastery for a total of twenty-one years. In 1995 Sister Matthew retired and returned to the Monastery.

Sister Matthew’s parents Matthew and Helen (Dolinar) Laurich, her five brothers, Matt, Ludwig, Joe, Frank, and Henry, and three sisters, Frances Turk, Pauline Solmonson, and Ann Debelak preceded her in death. In addition to the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, Sister Matthew is survived by her sisters, Helen Parich of Hibbing and Jennie Perpich of Hibbing, many nieces and nephews, and special relatives and friends.

A wake service was held on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, St. Scholastica Monastery, with visitation following until 10:45 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m. with Father Kevin Gordon presiding. Burial was in Gethsemane Cemetery. Arrangements were by Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home. Memorials to St. Scholastica Monastery are preferred.

Sister Mary David Gruden

Sister Mary David Gruden, OSB, 85, of St. Scholastica Monastery, died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at the Monastery. She entered the Duluth Benedictine Community on September 1, 1940, and professed monastic vows in 1942. She was in her 65th year of monastic profession.

Sister Mary David was born December 25, 1921, in Gilbert, Minnesota, and received her high school education at Stanbrook Hall, Duluth. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from The College of St. Scholastica and a Masters in Hospital Administration from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1943 Sister Mary David taught at Our Lady of Sacred Heart in Cloquet, Minnesota. Beginning in 1944 she became a student in nurses’ training at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota. Later, she served in Minnesota at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd; Miners’ Hospital, Crosby; Hibbing General Hospital, Hibbing; as well as at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. In 1968 she returned to Duluth where she was the administrative assistant in the Education Office and also worked in the Business Office at The College of St. Scholastica. Later she worked in the Monastery’s Business Office and tutored mathematics students in the Enrichment Center at St. Scholastica Monastery. Her most recent assignment was as bookkeeper for the Monastery Books and Gifts shop.

Sister Mary David shared her many talents with the community of St. Scholastica Monastery. Those who worked with her attest to the fact that while, as a nurse, she was efficient, she never lost her compassionate touch. Others found her an excellent hospital administrator. Her side interests were wide and varied. In her early years she was very athletic and an excellent ballplayer. She also became an accomplished musician and could play any musical instrument, having special talent for the violin. Sister Mary David also had a beautiful alto voice. She was always an avid reader, loved word games and working in the garden. Her abilities even extended to mechanical things, so she was often called on to “fix” things. During her last serious illness, she retained an affinity for fried chicken wings and potica, and she never lost her sense of humor or her gift for comforting others.

Sister Mary David was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Frances (Shepel), her brother Frank and her twin sister, Anne Marie Schmitt. She is survived by a nephew, cousins, and the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery.

Sister Eugenia Daly

Sister Eugenia (Ruth Etta) Daly, OSB, 85, of St. Scholastica Monastery, died on Thursday, December 14, 2006, at St. Mary's Medical Center. She entered the Duluth Benedictines February 10,1945, and professed monastic vows on January 7, 1947. She was in her 59th year of monastic profession.

Sister Eugenia was born on October 5, 1921, in Crosby, Minnesota, and attended Crosby-Ironton High School. She earned a B.S. degree in nursing from The College of St. Scholastica. Beginning in 1947, Sister Eugenia was a head nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth. She was head nurse and night supervisor at Hibbing General Hospital. She served as school nurse for The College of St. Scholastica during 1971-1972 and then returned to St. Mary's Hospital in 1972. She continued working there until 1991. After retiring from the hospital, Sister Eugenia worked for two years in the Education Department of the Duluth Federal Prison Camp, two years in the Duluth Detoxification Center, one year in Home Health in Duluth, and one year at St. Ann's Residence. Sister Eugenia retired to St. Scholastica Monastery in 1997 and served there in Hospitality at the Monastery's Information Desk and as assistant in the Transportation Office. Sister Eugenia was a member of the Minnesota Nurses Association.

Sister Eugenia was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Stella Mae (Harter) Daly, her brother Miles, and her sister Agnes. Besides the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, she is survived by Michael McKay and James McKay, grandnephews, cousins, and many dear friends.