~Teacher~St. Francis Xavier Academy
Sister Mary Elise Todd, RSM
Sister Mary Elise Todd, RSM, died Sunday, June 8, 2008, at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis, MO. She was born August 8, 1922, in Webb, MS, graduated from St. Francis Xavier Academy in Vicksburg and entered the Sisters of mercy in St. Louis in 1940.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edythe Hamilton Todd and Charles Lovell Todd; aunt, Sister Elizabeth Todd, RMS; brother, Sam Todd; and two sisters, Charlene Todd Yoste and Edythe Kestenbaum.
She is survived by nephews, Harry Yoste, Jr., Charles T. Yoste, Robert Yoste, Peter Kestenbaum and Kenneth Kestenbaum; and several great-nephews and great-nieces, as well as numerous cousins.
She received her bachelor of science from Loyola University in New Orleans and received her master's from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and Mississippi State University in Starkville. She taught for 50 years in the Mercy schools in Mississippi, spending 25 years teaching math and science at St. Joseph High School in Jackson. She also taught in Vicksburg, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Biloxi and Greenville. After retiring from the Catholic School system, she was involved in tutoring adults in math and literacy. She tutored Vietnamese and high school drop outs from the detention center in Jackson. She is remembered as a very dedicated teacher.
The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated today, June 13, 2008, at 10:a.m. at St. Peter the Apostolic Cathedral in Jackson. The celebrant was one of her colleagues, The Rev. Al Camp, assisted by her former student, Deacon David Warriner of the New Orleans Archdiocese. A wake service was held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008, and an hour before Mass today. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. today with Monsignor Patrick Farrell of St. Paul Catholic Church officiating.
Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Pallbearers are Harry Yoste, Jr., Charles T. Yoste, Robert Yoste, Peter Kestenbaum, Kenneth Kestenbaum and Troy Todd Kestenbaum. Honorary Pallbearer is Samuel H. Todd, II.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph High School Chapel Fund, P. O. Box 2027, School Chapel Fund, P. O. Box 2027, Madison, MS 39130-2027 or the the Sisters of Mercy Ministry Fund, 2039 N. Geyer Road, St. Louis, MO 63131.
1 comment:
Sister Mary Elise was one of my favorite teachers. She was kind and understanding. She taught me History and I made good grades in her class. I was able to leave early in my Senior class to go to work as a part-time typist (first job) at the Strand Theatre.
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