SINSINAWA — Sister Bernita Hessling, (Mary Giovanni), died Feb. 22, 2011, at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Feb. 28, 2011, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Bernita made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 5, 1953, and her final profession Aug. 5, 1956. She taught for 21 years; served as director of religious education (DRE) for seven years, and associate director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Okla., for three years. Sister Bernita ministered as pastoral administrator for 11 years; pastoral associate for nine years, four while serving as DRE; and as director of transportation for four years, interim Mound administrator for one year, and volunteer for one year at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. She served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as promoter of peace and justice for one year. She served in Illinois, Colorado, New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska.