Rena Catherine was born in Rhodelia, in Meade County, Ky., on February 2, 1926, the third and last child of Junius Marcellus and Sarah Eudora (Sallie) Vessels Greenwell. Rena Catherine joined her two sisters, Mary Anita and Dorothy Marie. She received the sacraments of Baptism on February 21, 1926, and Confirmation June 14, 1937 in St. Theresa Church in Rhodelia. The three girls had great love and respect for their parents who were somewhat strict yet showered them with great care and affection.
Family Prayer was a very important part of each day. When Rena started to school she became very close to Anita and Dorothy in that she sat between them as Daisy transported them to St. Theresa School. Since Mr. Greenwell was not at the school in the afternoon to help the three of them in mounting Daisy, they led her to a fence near by, climbed it and were astride their beloved horse who immediately took them safely home. Rena and her two sisters took piano lessons. When she was in the eighth grade, Rena played the organ for her sister Anita’s wedding. Frequently Rena or one of her sisters would play waltzes on the piano while Dad and Mom danced all over the living room floor.
Rena attended High School at Flaherty as Anita and Dorothy had done and boarded in the convent. Though the high school was a public school, the staff was largely Ursuline Sisters, only a few lay teachers. The convent was on the second floor of the grade school, classrooms on first floor. Father Fred Gettelfinger, pastor, arranged to have a dormitory on the third floor above the convent for a dozen Catholic girls from the Rhodelia-Payneville area. The kitchen, dining room and laundry for Sisters and boarders were in the basement. The boarders did their own laundry and prepared their own meals. The Sisters were generous in sharing food with them. After high school, Rena attended Mount Saint Joseph Junior College and entered the Ursuline community after three semesters. She became a postulant on February 2, 1946; received the veil and the name Sister Marita August 14, 1946; made temporary profession August 15, 1948 and made final profession, August 15, 1951.
After completing her novitiate in 1948, Sister began her teaching career at St. Martin in Rome, Ky., always teaching music, sometimes as classroom teacher as well. Other schools where she ministered in Kentucly include St. Edward, Jeffersontown; St. James, Louisville; Blessed Mother, Owensboro; St. Catherine Grade and High School, New Haven; St. Martin Grade and High School, Flaherty; St. Thomas More, Paducah; Mount Saint Joseph Academy; and Immaculate, Owensboro. She also taught at Seven Holy Founders, Affton, Mo. In 1970, she went to Brescia College, Owensboro, and taught piano in the Music Department for one year. In 1971, she taught music for classroom teachers in the Education Department and was assistant director of the Contemporary Woman Program. She became Director of the Contemporary Woman Program in 1972 and held that position until 2005. During this time she was Co-director of the Associate Program from 1996-2002. In 1997, she took a sabbatical at Manna House of Prayer, Concordia Kansas.
Sister’s higher education includes: Associate degree in 1946 from Mount Saint Joseph College; master’s degree in education from Western Kentucky University 1979; master’s in teaching from Webster Groves College, 1965. Certificates and awards include: National Piano Foundation 1965; Master Teacher, Progressive Series Piano 1954; Alpha Chi membership 1976; Woman of Achievement by Kentucky Federation of Business/Professional Women; Ministry Formation Appreciation-Brescia, 1997.
One of Sister Marita’s adult students paints a realistic picture of her with these words. “Sister Marita greeted everyone with unconditional love and absolute belief in the beauty of their mind, body and spirit. She provided classes that enriched and changed women’s lives and instilled an understanding of their place and their power in shaping their families, communities and the world. Her gentle spirit belied the strength she offered those who came to her in dark moments of their lives. Her resolute strength modeled the gentleness with which she believed women could co-create a gentler, loving world, while lifting and empowering each of us to a higher purpose and better life.”
Sister Marita, age 85, died in Saint Joseph Villa on June 21, 2011, after a long illness in her 65th year as an Ursuline Sister. Following the Mass of Resurrection with the celebrant Rev. Ray Clark, Sister Marita’s remains were carried in solemn procession to Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery for burial.