RICHMOND HEIGHT, Mo. — Sr. Mary Eloise Haberstock died Thursday, March 12, 2009, at St. Mary of the Angels Convent after more than 77 years as a sister. A funeral Mass was celebrated for her at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at St. Mary of the Angels Convent, Richmond Heights, Mo. She was buried in Resurrection Cemetery.
Born Laurinda Maria Haberstock on February 1, 1912, in Hermann, Mo., she joined the Sisters of St. Mary on December 1, 1931, and professed her final vows on June 29, 1937. In 1987 the Sisters of St. Mary reunited with the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville, Mo., to become the Franciscan Sisters of Mary.
Sister Mary Eloise achieved her B.S. (1948) and M.S. (1952) degrees in medical technology from Saint Louis University. She served as supervisor of medical technology at SSM hospitals in Jefferson City, Mo.; Blue Island, Ill.; St. Louis; Kansas City, Mo.; and Madison, Wis.
While in Madison she helped establish a clinic for migrant workers. She staffed a mobile unit providing prenatal care in St. Louis. She also cared for migrant workers at Su Clinica Familiar in Harlingen, Texas.
After retiring, she volunteered in St. Mary’s Hospital’s surgical hospitality suite and at election polling places. She also created oil paintings, ceramics, and greeting cards. She moved to St. Mary of the Angels Convent in 1993.