Sister Mary Emily

Sister Mary Emily        ND 4384         ⇒ PDF Download
(Formerly Sister Mary Cynthia)

Emily Therese YUHAS

Christ the King Province, Chardon, Ohio, USA

Date and Place of Birth:              December 15, 1929     Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession:   August 16, 1949           Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:            September 1, 2013      Health Care Center, Chardon
Date and Place of Funeral:        September 5, 2013  Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial:            September 6, 2013      Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon, OH

Emily was the last of five children born to John and Rose (Naciasta) Yuhas and enjoyed all the privileges of being the baby of the family. At an early age, she experienced the strength found in loving relationships. Both parents were born in Czechoslovakia and settled the family in the Slovak neighborhood of St. Benedict Parish, Cleveland, Ohio.

After completing elementary grades at St. Benedict School, Emily attended Holy Trinity High School, Cleveland, and then transferred to Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland. She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame as a high school senior on February 2, 1947. At investment, she received the name Sister Mary Cynthia, and later returned to her baptismal name, Sister Mary Emily.

In 1949, before completing her college education, Sister Mary Emily began her ministry as an elementary school teacher. This ministry, as teacher and/or principal, spanned the next forty-three years in schools in Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. During these years, Sister received a bachelor’s degree from St. John College, Cleveland, a master’s degree from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and an Advanced Catechetical Diploma from the Notre Dame Institute, Middleburg, Virginia. She loved the children and formed lasting relationships with collaborators. Sister enjoyed the good times and the adventure of traveling, finding God in the wonders of nature all around her.

After retiring from classroom teaching, Sister Mary Emily participated in such outreach ministries as receptionist, tutor, secretary, office assistant and volunteer at Hillcrest Hospital and the Geauga Department on Aging. Her smile offered a welcoming presence and lasting support. A most treasured ministry, fulfilling a dream of being a missionary among the very poor, was to the people of Lancaster, Kentucky, in the Christian Appalachian Project. This time of prayerful service was dear to her heart.

Sister Mary Emily was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, but enjoyed a time of remission before a recurrence in early spring 2013. Sister retained a sense of mission, wishing to assist in community as she was physically able. She was grateful to all who ministered to her and learned to appreciate the presence of someone by her side. Sister lived in hope; even her sufferings deepened and sustained the intimate bond between herself and her Beloved. She longed for Jesus to welcome her home. We rejoice now with Sister Mary Emily as she enjoys new and everlasting life. Alleluia!