Sister Mary Kathlyn Balser, SSND
(Born Mary Agnes Balser)
First Profession 1942
Motherhouse
St. Louis, Missouri
Beloved sister of Sister Dorothy Ann Balser, SSND.
Sister Mary Kathlyn Balser, 88, SSND, of St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, died Jan. 24, 2009. Morning prayer and visitation will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Theresa Church in Chatawa. Eucharistic celebration will follow at 11. The Rev. Edward Balser will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the Chatawa Cemetery. Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home of McComb is in charge of arrangements.
Sister Kathlyn, the first daughter and second of 10 children of George Henry and Irma Mae Lyons Balser, was born Mary Agnes Balser in McComb on Dec. 29, 1920.
She attended St. Alphonsus School in McComb for eight years and was a graduate of St. Mary of the Pines.
Sister Kathlyn began her studies to become a School Sister of Notre Dame in St. Louis in 1938. She pronounced her vows as a member of this congregation in 1942.
Sister was assigned as a teacher of kindergarten and primary grades at parishes in Missouri, Iowa and Texas. In 1953, she received a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. In 1954, she returned to teach art at St. Mary of the Pines. In 1961, Sister Kathlyn earned a master's degree in fine arts from Notre Dame University. Sister Kathlyn then returned to teaching kindergarten and first grade in schools in Texas and Louisiana.
After caring for her ailing father, Sister returned to live and work at St. Mary of the Pines. Her considerable artistic talent was shared with many throughout her life.
Sister Kathlyn was preceded in death by her parents and two of her siblings, George Balser, Jr. and Kathleen Faye Balser.
She is survived by two sisters, Sister Dorothy Ann Balser, SSND, of Chatawa and Beverly Balser Gent of McComb; and five brothers, John Balser of McComb, Richard Balser of Magnolia, Fred Balser of Lafayette, La., the Rev. Edward Balser of Madison and Austin Balser of St. Gabriel, La. Pallbearers are from the Charles R. Brill Council of the Knights of Columbus.
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Dallas Province
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
Sister Mary Kathlyn Balser, SSND
(Born Mary Agnes Balser)
First Profession 1942
Motherhouse
St. Louis, Missouri
Beloved sister of Sister Dorothy Ann Balser, SSND.
Sister Mary Kathlyn Balser, 88, SSND, of St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, died Jan. 24, 2009. Morning prayer and visitation will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Theresa Church in Chatawa. Eucharistic celebration will follow at 11. The Rev. Edward Balser will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the Chatawa Cemetery. Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home of McComb is in charge of arrangements.
Sister Kathlyn, the first daughter and second of 10 children of George Henry and Irma Mae Lyons Balser, was born Mary Agnes Balser in McComb on Dec. 29, 1920.
She attended St. Alphonsus School in McComb for eight years and was a graduate of St. Mary of the Pines.
Sister Kathlyn began her studies to become a School Sister of Notre Dame in St. Louis in 1938. She pronounced her vows as a member of this congregation in 1942.
Sister was assigned as a teacher of kindergarten and primary grades at parishes in Missouri, Iowa and Texas. In 1953, she received a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. In 1954, she returned to teach art at St. Mary of the Pines. In 1961, Sister Kathlyn earned a master's degree in fine arts from Notre Dame University. Sister Kathlyn then returned to teaching kindergarten and first grade in schools in Texas and Louisiana.
After caring for her ailing father, Sister returned to live and work at St. Mary of the Pines. Her considerable artistic talent was shared with many throughout her life.
Sister Kathlyn was preceded in death by her parents and two of her siblings, George Balser, Jr. and Kathleen Faye Balser.
She is survived by two sisters, Sister Dorothy Ann Balser, SSND, of Chatawa and Beverly Balser Gent of McComb; and five brothers, John Balser of McComb, Richard Balser of Magnolia, Fred Balser of Lafayette, La., the Rev. Edward Balser of Madison and Austin Balser of St. Gabriel, La. Pallbearers are from the Charles R. Brill Council of the Knights of Columbus.
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Dallas Province
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
