Sister Mary Michaelyn  

Sister Mary Michaelyn                     ND 4585                    PDF Download

Martha Lucille HEMPFLING

Immaculate Conception Province, Chardon, USA

Date and Place of Birth:            May 5, 1934                 Delphos, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession: August 17, 1954           Toledo, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:         September 9, 2023      Sylvania, Ohio
Date and Place of Funeral:      September 16, 2023    Whitehouse, Ohio

“In the presence of the angels I will sing your praise” (Ps. 138:1).

Sister Mary Michaelyn Hempfling, age 89, died at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania on the morning of September 9, 2023. If a life could be summarized in one word, hers would be “gratitude.” “Thanks a million!” was her favorite expression, and graciousness was her lifestyle.

Born to Michael and Lucille (Youngpeter) Hempfling, Martha Lucille was the oldest child of seven children. She attended St. John School in Delphos, where she was taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame. After eighth grade Martha became an Aspirant with the Sisters at Notre Dame attending Notre Dame Academy in Toledo. At her Investment in 1952 she received the name Sister Mary Michaelyn. She attended Mary Manse College and the University of Toledo obtaining a master’s degree in education.

Loving to teach, Sister taught students in various Catholic elementary schools in the Toledo Diocese for many years usually in the primary grades. She eventually expanded her teaching career in the next eleven years to include intermediate and upper grade children and was even Principal for a while. Expanding her area of ministry, she served children and adults in Florida as teacher or parish volunteer in Jacksonville, Gainesville, and New Smyrna Beach. After retiring from teaching, she accepted the duty of receptionist at Maria Child Care Center in Toledo for four years and ministered for 13 years as director of the religious education programs. Throughout her years of teaching and beyond, Sister was especially gifted at ministering to the elderly and visiting the sick especially at Vancrest Nursing Home in Delphos.

Sister’s beautiful combination of sweetness, concern for others, humor, love for her family made her a friend to everyone she met. Her love of life was evident in her attention to following sports teams, watching animals, and walking outside. Rarely was she found in her room for helping others and being available to serve was a high priority.

Sister Mary Michaelyn inherited a heart disease from both her parents which slowed her down the last years of her life. During a recent brief hospitalization, she suffered a serious heart attack which left her unresponsive and with kidney failure. On September 9, hours after arriving at Ebeid Hospice Care, Sister was united with the God who couldn’t wait any longer to unite His heart with hers. May she rest in peace.