Sister Cecelia Vandeberg(CHM)(1918-2019)

VANDEBERG

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/31/2019 at 11:02:40

Sister Cecelia Vandeberg (Mary Cecelia)

June 26, 1918-October 26, 2019

DAVENPORT-Sister Cecelia Vandeberg (Mary Cecelia), CHM, 101, died at Humility of Mary Center, Davenport Iowa on October 26, 2019. A Rosary and Visitation are scheduled for Monday, November 4, 4 p.m. and Vigil Service, 7 p.m. at Humility of Mary Center, Davenport, IA. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, November 5, 11 a.m. at Humility of Mary Center Magnificat Chapel. After cremation, there will be a service and inurnment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Great Falls, MT.

Sister Cecelia was born of Leona Mary Ann Benoit and John Godfrey Vandeberg at Epping, North Dakota, on June 26, 1918. She was baptized and received the name of Vivian. She received Holy Communion at age five and was confirmed at age seven and was given the name Mary Ann which she used henceforth. She had one brother, John Joseph, and one sister, Kathryn Irene, both deceased. She attended the public school in Epping, North Dakota. Mary Ann and her parents moved to Great Falls, Montana, where she attended St. Mary's High School for one year.

She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary and received the name, Cecelia, when she received the religious habit. She resided at Sacred Heart Convent, Great Falls, where she made temporary vows, 1939, and perpetual vows, 1942.

As a religious sister she studied at several music institutes and received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan. She began her music ministry at St. Anne's Cathedral in Great Falls, Montana, where she played the organ, conducted girls' choirs and taught music at St. Mary's High School and grade school. She taught many piano lessons at Sacred Heart Convent, Great Falls.

Sister Cecelia taught music at St. Pius X School, Rock Island, Illinois, at St. Leo School, Lewistown, Montana, and Saints Peter & Paul School in Great Falls, Montana.

She lived with her mother for eight years, caring for her at home and at Missouri River Care and Rehabilitation Center. At the same time, she attended Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Great Falls, Montana where she played the organ and conducted adult choirs. She taught music at Our Lady of Lourdes School and also taught the fifth grade class there.

In 1986 she was hired by the Diocese of Great Falls to bring Holy Communion to the Catholic patients at Benefis East Hospital. She did this for 26 years. On July 2, 2012, she moved into the Humility of Mary Center, Davenport, where she was engaged primarily in a ministry of prayer. Sister continued to visit long term care facilities until shortly before her death.

She is survived by nieces, nephews and sisters and associates of her religious community.

Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.

Online memorials and condolences may be expressed by visiting Sr. Cecelia's obituary at: www.hmdfuneralhome.com

Published in Quad-City Times from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31, 2019