Mary William (Willie), ninth child of William Lawrence and Ann Emma Luckett Abell, was born March 30, 1901, at Calvary, Ky. Her faith journey began with baptism on April 10, at Holy Name of Mary Church.
Willie’s formal education began at Calvary Public Elementary School in September 1907 where she completed the eighth grade. She completed her secondary years at the Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
On July 16, 1920, Willie, along with 13 other young ladies, entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph to begin preparation for the life of an Ursuline educator. On March 19, 1921, she was invested in the Ursuline habit and received the name of Sister Mary Otho.
In September 1921, Sister was assigned grades three and four at Holy Cross (Ky.) Elementary where she remained seven years. Other assignments, during the 57 years Sister spent in the classroom, were in Ursuline-staffed schools in Kentucky at Raywick, Peonia, Clementsville, Browns Valley, Lebanon, Stanley, Waverly, and Owensboro (SS Joseph and Paul), and in schools at Nebraska City, Neb., and Glennonville, Mo.
In 1978, Sister retired to Mount Saint Joseph Motherhouse where she kept herself alert and busy with reading and working crossword puzzles. She stayed abreast of world, state and county affairs by reading every available magazine and newspaper and was well versed in Church happenings.
The new century found her completing 99 years of life. She died peacefully on April 26, 2000, in the Motherhouse infirmary with community members at her bedside.
The wake service was held Thursday evening April 27. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Anthony Shonis and Father Bruce Fogle on Friday morning, April 28, 2000. Sister’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery. Her sisters, Sisters Ann Vincentia and Mary Lawrence, preceded her in death. Among her survivors were her Ursuline nieces, Sisters Clarita and Marie Goretti Browning.