ST. LOUIS — Sister J. Emilia Villarreal, OSU, died peacefully on Aug. 23 at Sunset Care Center in Union, Mo. Her life journey included that of a mother and a member of the Ursuline Sisters. Her ministry as an Ursuline brought her to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois in the 1990s.

The daughter of Juan Asencion and Genevieve Silvas Villarreal, she was born on Dec. 31, 1938, in Fort Davis, Texas. She is survived by her son, Henry (Sherri) Rios of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, and her daughter, Deborah (James) Pendleton of Ft. Worth, Texas; grandchildren Kaitland, Marisa, Tobey, Danita and William. She also is survived by her sisters Betty Rosas of Corpus Christi, Texas; Lilly Trevino of Gregory, Texas; and sisters-in law Lupita and Carmen. Her brothers Juan Jr. and Benjamin preceded her in death.

Sister Emilia received her bachelor’s degree from Incarnate Word University in San Antonio, an associate’s degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, and clinical pastoral education training in San Antonio. She professed her religious vows in 1995. In addition to Springfield, her ministry experiences took her to Corpus Christi, Laredo and Dallas, Texas; Caracas, Venezuela; Lima, Peru, and Billings, Mont. She most enjoyed her work as a hospice chaplain with a specialty in working with AIDS patients.

In Springfield, she served as a hospice home health chaplain for St. John’s Hospital from 1996 to 1999 and a chaplain at St. John’s Hospital from 2006 to 2007.

A memorial Mass was held Sept. 3, in the chapel at Ursuline Academy in Dallas, and another was to be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, in the chapel at Ursuline Academy of St. Louis.

Sister Emilia donated her body to St. Louis University.

Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, 353 S. Sappington, Kirkwood, MO, 63122.