Sister Mary Peters, Osf

Mary Isabel, the elder of two children born to George and Lena Ruth Peters, was born October 13, 1920 in Joplin, MO. Her parents were devout Catholics who instilled in their children a great love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and for the Catholic Church. The efforts of the family to attend Sunday Mass occasioned miles of travel since their residence was in a small town without a Catholic Church. A greater sacrifice of sending their children to St. Francis boarding elementary school to receive a Catholic education and to be prepared for the reception of the Sacraments impressed upon Mary Isabel and George, Jr that the true purpose of life was not happiness in this world but in heaven and that there was no sacrifice too great to achieve that goal. Mary Isabel was aware at a very early age that she was called by Jesus to be His bride as a Sister of St. Francis. She entered the convent at sixteen and kept her heart focused on the face of Christ until her death August 2, 2013 seventy-six years later. Though inclined to the silent contemplative life she received a BA (Mt. St. Scholastica, Atchison), an MA (St. Mary College, Xavier, KS) and a PhD (St. Louis University) and became an outstanding teacher serving in several rural Missouri Catholic schools, St. Francis Academy, Miles College, Birmingham, AL and the Jr College at Coffeyville, KS. Sister served as Novice Mistress, Community Secretary and Councilor. She cared for her parents until their deaths sacrificing for those who had sacrificed so much for her. Her last years were spent in suffering for her family as well as for her community and for the salvation of all souls as she shared the wisdom acquired through prayer, silence and suffering. She is survived by her nephews, Stephen, Michael and Stanley and her sisters in community. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Monday, August 5 with the Rosary at 7 pm at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Sisters of St. Francis Convent, 2100 N. Noland Road, Independence, MO 64050. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am Tuesday, August 6 at Our Lady of Angels Chapel. Interment will be at 2 pm August 6, Mount Calvary Cemetery, Nevada, MO. In lieu of flowers the Order requests memorial contributions to Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist, 2100 N. Noland Rd., Independence, MO 64050.