Sister Marian Oldendick, 1910-1999
Born February 1, 1910, Bellevue, Kentucky
Entered St. Walburg Monastery, February 25, 1932
First Profession August 25, 1933
Died January 30, 1999
Sr. Marian was the second youngest of eight children. Three of her sisters died very young. Sr. Marian was a classmate of Sr. Edward Sandheger and both of them excelled at basketball, winning trophies as co-captains of their team. Sr. Edward frequently recounted how she saw Sr. Marian swim the Ohio River from the bank in Bellevue to the Cincinnati side.
Sr. Marian entered St. Walburg Monastery in 1932. Her ministries included teaching and hospital work. She taught from 1933 until 1944 when she went for training as an x-ray and lab technician. From 1948 until 1970 she worked in the hospitals sponsored by the community. From 1970-78 she performed services at Madonna Manor. In 1979 she retired but was active in her volunteer services to the poor.
Sr. Marian was an avid reader and could be found at the copy machine duplicating articles which she thought others should read. In her later years, she was a familiar sight in her wheelchair–visiting chapel, saying her rosary, reading the newspaper and smiling her lovely smile to all who passed by. Her calm and peaceful demeanor was always present even as her physical condition deteriorated.