One of nine children of Francis and Anna Jarboe Coomes of Rome, Ky., Mary Thelma was born Oct. 20, 1907. Later the family moved to Knottsville where the children attended St. William School. Mary Thelma finished high school at Mount Saint Joseph Academy. In January 1928, she entered the novitiate. She received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Mary Edith on August 15, 1928.
Sister Mary Edith was prepared for the teaching apostolate and was first missioned to St. Mary Magdalene School in Sorgho, Ky., for a year. The next year found her at St. James School in Louisville where she remained teaching for 19 years. Assignments at other elementary schools in Kentucky included: St. Anthony, Peonia; St. Margaret Mary, Louisville; St. Charles, Lebanon; St. Leonard, Louisville; and St. Martin, Rome; plus at Seven Holy Founders in Affton, Mo. Her last assignment was at St. William in Knottsville, where she served as librarian.
Due to failing health, Sister Mary Edith returned to Mount Saint Joseph in 1981. As her health allowed, she quietly busied herself working in the craft room, helping in the library at St. Alphonsus School, taking care of the older Sisters’ laundry, and assisting with housework. She delighted in having extra time for prayer and enjoying the peace and beauty of the campus. Sister Mary Edith died of congestive heart failure on October 15, 1992 — five days before her 85th birthday. On October 17, Father Anthony Shonis, chaplain, offered the funeral Mass. Sister Mary Edith’s remains rest in the convent cemetery.