Nun taught at schools throughout the region

10/19/2005

Sister Mary Lambert Wilhelm, 90, of the Sisters of Notre Dame, who taught in Catholic schools in various parts of northwest Ohio for many years, died Sunday in the Health Care Center at the Sisters of Notre Dame Provincial Center on Secor Road.

The sisters did not know the cause of death.

Elementary schools where Sister Mary taught in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s included St. Mary, Leipsic; St. John, Delphos; Immaculate Conception, Bellevue; St. Paul, Norwalk; St. Mary, Sandusky, and St. Joseph, Maumee. In Toledo, she taught at St. Michael, St. James, Sacred Heart, St. Ann, Holy Rosary, St. Louis, and Ladyfield schools and at the Notre Dame Academy.

A native of Peru, Ohio, who graduated from Notre Dame Academy, Sister Mary had a bachelor of science and education degree from DeSales College, Toledo, and a bachelor degree in music from the University of Montreal.

In several of the parishes where she taught, she also was the church organist.

"She was a woman full of faith and lived it to the full as she ministered to young people throughout her teaching career," Sister Mary Patricia Snyder said.

Born Etta Wilhelm, Sister Mary entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1932. She made her first vows in 1934.

After her teaching career, Sister Mary was in community service at Lial Convent near Whitehouse from 1970 to 1996, when she retired to the health care center. In retirement, she enjoyed music and gardening.

Surviving are her brothers, Clifford and James Wilhelm.

Services will be at 5 p.m. today in the chapel at the Sisters of Notre Dame Provincial Center, where visitation will be after 2 p.m. today. Arrangements are by the Abele Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to the Sisters of Notre Dame.