Sister Martina Arnold, 1923-2012
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Born November 12, 1923, Covington, Kentucky Entered St. Walburg Monastery, December 27, 1942 Received habit, June 29, 1943 First Profession, June 30, 1944 Died December 20, 2012 |
Sister Martina Arnold, OSB was born to Joseph W. and Mary Christina (Schwartz) Arnold in Covington, KY on November 12, 1923 and named Loraine Florence at her baptism. Loraine was the second youngest of 15 children, four boys and eleven girls, all of whom are deceased. Loraine attended St. John School for eight years then moved to St. Benedict Commercial where she met the Benedictine Sisters. On December 27, 1942 Loraine became a postulant at St. Walburg Monastery. Loraine received the name Sr. Martina when she became a novice on June 29, 1943. She made first and perpetual profession in 1944 and 1947; silver, golden and diamond jubilees occurred in 1969, 1994 and 2004.
As was the experience of many in the community, Sr. Martina worked toward her BA on Saturdays and during the summer, graduating in 1954 from Villa Madonna College and from Catholic University in 1956 with a Master of Social Service.
From 1945 until 1983 Sr. Martina taught every grade except first with a few years as housemother at St. John Orphanage and in administration at Madonna Manor. After 1983 she served at Thomas More College as periodicals librarian and in the Development Office in various capacities until retirement in 1999.
At the monastery Sr. Martina stayed busy at the computer generating lists for liturgy—what pages to use or what Mass readings fall on what days, plus making signup sheets for euchre and pinochle tournaments. She handled liturgical subscriptions for the sisters and distributed booklets each month. Here and there she collected donations for VMA trips to Guatemala.
Sr. Martina moved to the infirmary in 2008. An electric scooter helped her get around. In late November of this year she fell, breaking her femur. Rehab seemed to go well until a serious infection developed which resulted in hospitalization. She died peacefully in St. Elizabeth Hospice on December 20, 2012. Sr. Martina is survived by the community and many devoted nieces and nephews.