Sister Martha Feder, 1924-2018
| Born February 4, 1924 in Latonia, Kentucky Entered St. Walburg Monastery August 15, 1942 Received habit, June 29, 1943 First Profession, June 30, 1944 Died July 14, 2018
|
 |
Sr. Martha Feder, OSB was born on February 4, 1924 and named Loretta Margaret. She was the third of five children born to Alphous Franklin and Margaret C. Jennings Feder. Her four siblings, two boys and two girls, have predeceased her.
Sr. Martha grew up in Latonia, KY and attended Holy Cross for all twelve grades. She entered St. Walburg Monastery following high school graduation on August 15, 1942. She professed perpetual vows on July 1, 1947 and was sent out to teach at St. James in Brooksville, KY about six weeks later. Throughout her active life Sr. Martha gave twenty five years as a elementary school teacher and as principal of Villa Madonna Academy Elementary. She served the community as Director of postulants, novices and scholastics for six years. For seventeen years Martha served as the Associate Director of the Worship Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Her work in the Worship Office took her to many, if not all, parishes in the Archdiocese, working with catechists and liturgy directors. She also worked on or wrote several publications that were used in the Archdiocese and sold both nationally and internationally.
Sr. Martha completed her A.B. from Villa Madonna College (now Thomas More College), her M. Ed. from Xavier University and a further M.A. in theology and liturgy from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. To further her education, Martha earned additional graduate credits from eight different colleges and universities. Martha was an avid life-long learner, attending workshops and conferences to keep herself current in her fields of work and interest. Following her retirement she kept herself busy managing our monastic library. From 2013 until 2018 Sr. Martha served on the monastery council. In her spare time she loved to play cards and crochet.
In 2016 Sr. Martha moved to the Infirmary. Although mentally alert, her body was slowing down. Over the past couple months Sr. Martha was keenly aware that death was not too far off. She died peacefully very early on the morning of July 14. Sr. Martha is survived by nieces and the Benedictine community.
The vigil service will be held on the evening of Sunday, July 22, 2018. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 23, 2018. She will be interred in St. Walburg Monastery Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Rd., Villa Hills, KY 41017