Marie Beatrice, the fourth of nine children of Joseph and Marie Alice Belanger Johnson, was born February 1, 1927 at New Haven, Kentucky. Her faith journey began with baptism at St. Catherine Church, New Haven. In September 1933, she began her formal education at St. Catherine Elementary School, New Haven, and graduated from high school there in 1945.
In September 1945, Beatrice entered her postulancy at Mount Saint Joseph. She received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Agnes Mary on August 14, 1946.
In September 1948, following profession of temporary vows, Sister was assigned to teach second grade at Blessed Mother School, Owensboro, Kentucky. Other assignments during her 41 years in the classroom were in Ursuline-staffed Kentucky schools in Paducah, Bardwell, Stanley, St. Joseph, Louisville, Loretto, St. Charles, and Raywick. She also taught in Plattsmouth and Nebraska City, Nebraska. She usually taught junior high or high school classes.
In 1989, she was assigned as parish minister at Sacred Heart Church, Liberty, Kentucky, followed by a year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Louisville and four years at Good Shepherd Church, Columbia, Kentucky.
In the spring of 1995, she returned to the Motherhouse in pastoral care for the sick sisters and also worked as clerk in the Maple Mount Post Office. She continued in these ministries at the Motherhouse until 1998 when she was diagnosed with bone cancer. She gave up the position of postal clerk but continued with her ministry to the sick for a few months. She was moved to the Infirmary to receive skilled nursing care. Her suffering was intense, her patient resignation an inspiration to all who visited her bedside. Sister died January 16, 2000.
The wake service was held Tuesday evening, January 18. Father Tom Hommrich, former pastor, celebrated the funeral Mass on Wednesday morning, January 19. Sister’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.