Sister Mary Laurette

SISTER MARY LAURETTE               ND  4541                      PDF Download

Patricia Albina KRAMER

Immaculate Conception Province, USA

Date and Place of Birth:             December 16, 1930  Garfield Heights, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession: August 16, 1954         Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:           October 14, 2020      Health Care Center, Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial:           October 26, 2020      Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio

“My God and my all…”

Patricia was the youngest of the three children born to Ned and Laura (Schmidt) Kramer. She grew up in Garfield Heights, a small city close to Cleveland, where the children attended SS. Peter and Paul Elementary School. Patricia’s family was a blessing and a source of great joy during her childhood days of leisure, work and play. After eighth grade, Patricia chose to attend Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland. It was here that she met the Sisters of Notre Dame and began to realize that God was calling her to His service. After graduation in 1948, she worked as a dental assistant for two years and then began elementary education classes at St. John College in Cleveland. Convinced of her call to religious life, Patricia entered the Sisters of Notre Dame on February 2, 1952 and at investment received the name Sister Mary Laurette.

Sister continued her education at St. John College, taking courses on Saturdays and during summers, while teaching the intermediate grades. She received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1959. Her strong desire to be of service to God’s people prompted her to volunteer for the Notre Dame mission in India. Sister Mary Laurette arrived in Jamalpur, India, on December 16, 1960—her thirtieth birthday! She radiated a vibrant enthusiasm and zest for living, for getting involved in ministry and for sharing her gifts. Sister brought her American culture, her educational expertise and the beauty of her Notre Dame heritage. As she adjusted to life in India, she came to appreciate the people, their deep spirituality and rich traditions. Her great respect for the people and the culture of India led her to immerse herself in this culture and make it her own. Sister related, “These were years of personal, spiritual and emotional growth. They helped me discover a depth and a breadth I never realized existed in me.”, Sister Mary Laurette came back to the United States for the years 1977 and 1978, completing her studies to earn a master’s degree in education from Cleveland State University.

Sister was classroom teacher and administrator at Notre Dame Academy in Patna. She served as counselor, director of teacher education, co-ordinator of Sisters’ education, presented seminars and short courses and, most especially, was mentor and friend to countless Sisters and colleagues. As co-founder of the prestigious Campus School of the Agricultural University, Pantnagar, she laid a solid foundation for its future growth and success. Sister Mary Laurette ministered for 30 years in India with sensitivity and compassion. She was both encouraging and challenging, empowering her students, collaborators and Sisters.

After returning to the United States in 1991, Sister continued her evangelization and work with the poor as director of religious education, first in Virginia and then in three inner-city parishes in Akron, Ohio. She tutored adults, volunteered at the Chardon Senior Center and served her sisters in the provincial center community. Wherever she was, she spread the gospel with dedication, honesty, vitality and passion. In the past few years, Sister experienced a slow but steady physical decline, but her delightful humor and presence to others never waned. Sister Mary Laurette fell in love with the people God gave her to serve. May she remember us as she celebrates fullness of life in God!