DONALDSON, IND. — Sister Wilma Boeving, (Dolores Ruth) PHJC, passed away on March 26 at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, on the eve of the Feast of the Annunciation.
The Feast of the Annunciation is a special feast day for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Luke 1:26-38 tells of Gabriel’s visit with the message that Mary will conceive and give birth to Jesus. Mary replies, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Like Mary, Sister Wilma replied “yes.” She entered the PHJC community as a postulant on Sept. 2, 1946 and professed her first vows on June 25, 1949.
Sister Wilma was born on Dec. 1, 1926 in St. Louis to William and Bertha (Tonnies) Boeving who preceded her in death along with her brothers, Cornelius and Wilbert and her sisters, Bernadine Ronnerman and Sister Bertram Boeving, PHJC.
Sister Wilma studied liberal arts at Ancilla College, Donaldson; received a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition from Mundelein College, Chicago, and her master’s in hospital administration from St. Louis University.
While attending college, Sister Wilma volunteered with the senior girls of Angel Guardian Orphanage in 1950. Her studies prepared her to be dietary director at St. Joseph Hospital Fort Wayne, Ind., and St. Mary Hospital in East St. Louis. After returning to school for her master’s, she became assistant administrator at St. Mary Medical Center in Gary and Hobart, Ind., and vice president at Ancilla Systems Health Service in Des Plaines and Elk Grove. Her career in the health care ministry spanned 32 years and included service on various hospital and diocesan boards.
Sister Wilma also was a member of the Motherhouse Property Study in 1983 which led to the major renovation of the PHJC motherhouse and creation of new ministries. In addition, she served as a pastoral associate at St. John the Baptist Church in Quincy, as development director for the Poor Handmaids, administrator for Hincke/Sense Home in Belleville, and as activity director/human resource/sacristan at Meredith Home in Belleville. Sister Wilma volunteered at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville and Maria Care Center in Red Bud, until she retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2000.
In regard to the many people whose lives she touched, she said, “I believe I was always enriched by those with whom I associated during my lifetime. It takes a lifetime to extend my gratitude. I pray that I did not lose the opportunity to show each person my gratitude to God for their important place in my life.”
A prayer service and visitation was held at the Catherine Kasper Home on March 30. A funeral liturgy was held in the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel on March 31. Burial followed in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Ind.
The Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, Plymouth assisted with arrangements. Memorial contributions in memory of Sister Wilma may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.