Sister Barnabus/Sister Elizabeth Marie Baumgardner Passed away

Sister Betty BAUMGARDNER

BAUMGARDNER Sister Betty, RSM Born: 2/16/1920 Died: 12/29/2010 Sister Betty Baumgardner, RSM, returned to God, Wednesday, December 29, 2010 after suffering a long illness at St. Bernardine Home in Fremont, OH. Sister Betty Baumgardner, formerly Sister Mary Barnabus, RSM, was born February 16, 1920 in Tiffin, OH to Gertrude C. (Ehrenfried) and Carl William Baumgardner. A graduate of Calvert High School, Tiffin, OH and Tiffin University Business School, she received her Baccalaureate Degree in Education from Mary Manse College in Toledo, OH and a Masters Degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC. Sister Betty entered the Sisters of Mercy in Cincinnati, OH on February 2, 1945 and professed her final vows in Cincinnati, OH on August 16, 1950. Sister taught in the elementary schools 11 years. The schools were: St. Ann’s in Fremont, OH, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Catherine’s in Toledo, OH. In 1959 she assumed the management and teaching of “Business Education” at McAuley High School in Toledo, OH. In 1983 Sr. Betty became a member of the pastoral care department at St. Rita Medical Center in Lima, OH until 1992 when she retired at St. Bernardine Home in Fremont, OH. Sr. Betty was an accomplished educator, especially in the business area. Many of her students are still her friends. She loved music had a beautiful alto voice and directed the Chancel choirs at the elementary schools at which she taught. She was an avid golfer and had her golf clubs in use until she was too ill to do so. Sister Betty was a kind generous Sister of Mercy, who offered her love to all in need. Sister Betty is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, especially, Thomas Crates, James Crates, Martha Thorne, Kathleen Minor, Angie Forest, Susan Shay, David Hamilton, Dr. Jan Baumgardner, Martin Baumgardner, and Mary Hamilton Klingensmith. Preceding her in death were her parents, her brother, John Baumgardner, and her sisters, Mary Crates and Martha Hamilton. She will continue to be fondly remembered by her Sisters in the Mercy Community Visitation and Funeral Mass will be at St. Bernardine Home in Fremont, OH on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 6 p.m. in the Chapel at St. Bernardine Home. Burial will be on Wednesday, January 5, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Pines Cemetery.

Published in Toledo Blade on January 1, 2011