RUMA — Sister Mary Benedict Hayden, ASC, died Feb. 15 at the Ruma Center after having suffered a stroke Feb. 13. She was 88 years old and had been an Adorer for 71 years.
Sister M. Benedict was born in East St. Louis on May 17, 1924, and baptized Mary Marcella, one of the seven children of Arthur and Mary Ann (Moore) Hayden. A child of Depression years, Sister M. Benedict grew up as the oldest girl of a family of three brothers and three sisters. Sister M. Benedict attended St. Teresa Academy in East St. Louis for two years and finished high school in Ruma entering the Adorers in 1940. She made first vows on July 1, 1942 and final profession on July 1, 1947.
A long-time teacher, she managed to teach all the grades except the fourth during her years of ministry in the classroom. She received her education during the summers, earning a bachelor's degree from St. Louis University and a master's in education from St. Mary's College in Leavenworth, Kansas. While she taught in many places in the southern Illinois/southeastern Missouri area, the children of Clinton County in Illinois benefited from her many years in Bartelso, Albers, New Baden and Beckemeyer. She also taught in Taylorville, Fairmont City and Damiansville. After years in the classroom, she became a director of the Parish School of Religion, serving in that capacity in Bartelso, Sandoval, and Beckemeyer in the Belleville diocese. She moved to the Ruma Center in 2006 to begin living mission in later life.
Sister M. Benedict's parents, brother Harvey, and sisters Ruth Halterman and A. Irene Smith preceded her in death. Her siblings Richard and Robert Hayden and Dorothy Morris; many nieces and nephews; friends; and sisters in community survive her.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 18 at the Ruma Center, with Father Clyde Grogan and Father Tom Shaughnessy, OFM, presiding. Sister Janet McCann, ASC, gave reflections. Burial followed in the community cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the ASC Retirement Fund, 4233 Sulphur Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109 or made on-line at www.adorers.org by clicking on the "Donate" button in the upper right corner.