Walburga received her elementary education in a one-room rural schoolhouse in Carthagena, Ohio. She had the same teacher all eight years with eighty plus children. She took one year of high school. Her mother took ill so at the age of sixteen, she became the right hand of the home and helped on the farm. Things were scarce because of the Depression but there was plenty of work and food. She milked eight cows twice a day plus helping with the other animals on the farm: chickens, geese, horses, pigs and little calves. After three years her mother was able to take over the house and her parents suggested she go out and get a job. Walburga went to Cincinnati in 1937 and experienced the big flood of the Ohio River. She worked for an Episcopalian widow as her housekeeper and cook. She had two sons in Harvard University. This lady was a big blessing in Walburga’s life in many ways for she was free until 9 A.M. Walburga walked ¾ mile to early Mass daily. The lady introduced Walburga to opera, ballet, classical music and she traveled with the family in the summertime. The lady entertained every two weeks with a dinner party and told her what and how she wanted it. The big surprise for Walburga was on her birthday when she received new dresses.

At the age of twenty-four, in 1941, Walburga entered the Dominican Sisters of the Sick Poor at the convent on 21oth Street and Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx, N.Y.C. In April, 1942, Walburga received the name in religion of Sister Mary Assumpta. After making temporary vows and final vows in 1946. During these dates, Mother Reginald sent Sister Assumpta to Mt. St. Ursula to complete high school in one year and three months. In September, 1946, Sr. Assumpta entered St. Catherine Nursing School in Brooklyn. She graduated in 1949 and did nursing to the sick poor in the Bronx area.

In 1950, the Dominican Sisters of the Sick Poor obtained Mariandale in Ossining, N.Y. Sister Assumpta drove a car before entering so Reverend Mother had sister to get a driver’s license. Sister did all the driving and was at Mariandale for the opening and spent five months preparing for it.

In September of 1950, Sister Assumpta was sent to Dayton, Ohio to do nursing and meet with the youth group of Dominicanettes. Back to the Bronx three months then assigned to Columbus, Ohio for five years. From here in 1956 to the Bronx, N.Y.C. After several months being assistant superior and nursing case manager in the Bronx, she was sent as superior to the Dayton convent – 1956 to 1962. While in Dayton, Sister went to night school at University of Dayton and obtained her B.S in Nursing. Highway U.S. 75 was coming through Dayton and we had to move so a new convent was built and moved into in 1961. After Sister’s term of six years, she was assigned to Manhattan, 84th Street Convent in the fall of 1962.

At the 84th Street Convent Sister was Bursar, coordinator plus doing some home nursing. Toward the end of the 60’s the community centralized bookkeeping and finances. When all was completed Sister Assumpta went to work at Gouvenier Health Services in Lower Manhattan. She served the poor, mostly new immigrants and did health education. Beth Israel Medical Center took care of my education at Long Island University for my Master of Science in Community Health.

Sister resigned in 1979 and made application for Pastoral Training at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana. Sister Assumpta became a certified Chaplain in 1981 with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Sister took a position at Clermont County Hospital and set up the pastoral department. A few years later, the hospital was taken over by the Mercy Sisters. Sister was Pastoral Director for ten years 0- retired and started a ministry to the homebound in St. Bernadette Parish in Amelia, Ohio. Sister was involved with lecturing, Eucharistic ministry and out reach in the parish – to hospitals and nursing homes.

When looking back over my years , I was grateful to the sick and poor – they taught me so much about living and being grateful. I could tell you many stories * - some made you feel sad others make you laugh. The ministry was a grace-laden experience and strengthened my religious vocation.

I wrote this in 2001 at the age of 84 – because one never knows when the Master will call me home.

“ I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if she dies will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

I made my Liturgy of the Resurrection program, planned the readings and songs and let’s celebrate!

Sister Assumpta died on January 8, 2008 in Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. At the time of her death, Sister was living at the Maria Joseph Health Care Center in Dayton, Ohio.

There was a viewing and Liturgy at Maria Joseph on January 9, 2008. Many friends, residents, staff and family members attended the service.

On January 10, 2008 family and friends gathered at St. Aloysius Church in Carthagena, Ohio for Sister’s funeral Liturgy and burial in the Church Cemetery. Her final resting place is less than a mile north of the family farm ( no longer owned by the family) where Sister Assumpta was born. Sister Assumpta was the last of her siblings to die. She leaves one sister-in-law and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family to continue to remember her life and the gift she was to them.

* Sister Assumpta recorded some of these stories. A CD is available for those who might want to listen to her sad and happy memories.

Monica McGloin, OP