Mary Pauline was born Aug. 25, 1888, the daughter of Michael and Mary Grausz Scherm of Owensboro, Ky. Mary’s early school days were spent in her home under the supervision of several governesses. After completing the eighth grade, she was sent to Mount Saint Joseph Academy and graduated in June 1908. Mary had a love for history and travel. As a young girl, she traveled in Europe and throughout the United States. She entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph in July 1909, and received the Ursuline habit on July 14, 1909. Mary was given the name Sister Mary Eugenia. She pronounced her vows on December 30, 1912, a member of the first class to make vows after the Mount Saint Joseph Ursulines were granted their autonomy in 1912.
Sister Eugenia prepared for the teaching apostolate. In 1925, she spent one year teaching at St. Bernard Academy in Nebraska City, Neb. She returned to teach in the Academy from 1926 to 1932. She then spent an academic year at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She returned to the Academy as teacher and administrator for 10 years, 1933-1943. She then spent two years at Glennonville, Mo.; five years at Waterflow, N.M., and one year at Holy Cross, Ky. In 1951, Sister Eugenia was assigned to Brescia College in Owensboro where she ministered until 1963. Due to severe loss of hearing and other health-related complications, Sister Eugenia resigned her position at Brescia and returned to Mount Saint Joseph in 1963. She devoted her time to collecting and preserving data for the community archives. She also wrote the biography of Sister Aloysius Willett, Born To Lead, which was published in 1970.
On November 12, 1972, Sister Eugenia suffered a broken hip from a fall and never fully recovered. In addition to deafness, she experienced significant loss of eyesight. Through these trials, she remained cheerful and truly passionate about the community’s life and mission. She peacefully died on June 30, 1973. Msgr. Bernard Powers, chaplain, and four other priests celebrated the funeral Mass. Sister Eugenia’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.