Often when anyone reaches the age of 97, everyone is rooting for her to reach the goal of 100. And often the individual herself looks to that same goal.

But Sister Mary Alma had a different goal, actually two goals: to get back to St. Joseph Convent Chapel, and to be with her family again. She was ready and wanted very much to be there and see them again. Whether or not she made that part of her decision on her deathbed, we will not know for sure. But what we do know is that she was ready to go home to her God and family.

Elaine, also known as Elena, was born on October 1, 1927, in Rudyard, Michigan to her parents, Isadore and Alma Mayer. She was the third to be born in a family of 13. First came Orel and then Lilian, who died of diphtheria. Then Elaine was born. He was followed by Lawrence, James, Raymond, and Katherine, who also joined the School Sisters for a while as Sister Isadore. Then came Rolland, Theresa, and Francis, who died at three years old. The last children born were Janet, Paul, and Robert. Rolland, Katherine and Janet are still living.    

In 1945, Elaine was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee as Sister Mary Alma. She began her vibrant teaching ministry in Chicago at St. Martin and St. Mathias Schools. For 32 years she ministered as an educator and a religious education coordinator.

Following that, Sister Mary Alma began her cherished 35 years as sacristan for our great St. Joseph Convent Chapel in Milwaukee. This is when and how the name “Sister Mary Alma” became synonymous with “sacristan” for St. Joseph Convent Chapel. For 35 years, so many of us got to know her as the only sacristan St. Joseph’s Chapel ever had.

During these 35 years, Sister Mary Alma set the standard quite high, so our dear sisters from India have had great examples to follow and are now helping us to meet those same standards. One of Sister Mary Alma’s School Sisters’ classmates described her as always wanting to be with, or close to, the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder she stayed in this ministry so long. God knew this was the perfect place for her to do his work.

As you know, Sister Mary Alma was a quiet, prayerful person, so we all got to know her from observing what she did. We watched her prepare the sanctuary for many different events – each one unique and perfect to match the celebration. We remember how she would go out and hunt for stems of Queen Anne’s Lace to add to the flowerpots she created. And we all felt a shudder as we watched her climb ladders and chairs to get the flowers into the perfect spot! In later years, the maintenance staff would help her gather the pieces, but it was still her job to place them where only she knew they belonged.

As she grew older, this became more difficult for her to do, and likewise for everyone to watch her do. We can only imagine how difficult it was for Sister Mary Alma, and for those in charge of the chapel, to face and accept that it was time for a change. Moving to Sacred Heart was a great challenge for Sister Mary Alma. She desperately tried to find other ways of sharing her gifts through art; but she never lost sight of her goal to return to St. Joseph’s Chapel. Once again, we observed how she stayed close to her God.

Sister Mary Alma, we celebrate with you today because you have finally reached your final goal to be with God and your family in a new way. You have what you have always so wanted and worked for throughout your life. We will miss you.