The daughter of Zack and Magdalen Bruner Montgomery, Mary Agnes was born May 12, 1884, in St. Lawrence, Ky. On April 21, 1907, she entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph and received the Ursuline habit one month later on May 31, 1907. Mary Agnes was given the name Sister Mary Paul.
Sister Mary Paul’s entire mission life was spent at Mount Saint Joseph. Over the 57 years she held many varied positions. Mainly, she served as Infirmarian for the Academy and the Motherhouse and regularly presided at study hall for many years. Later, she was in charge of cleaning the Guest House and welcoming and caring for the needs of visitors. She was also in charge of the private dining room where the chaplain and visiting priests were served.
After a long life of quiet simplicity and generous service, Sister Mary Paul retired from these duties in 1961. She spent many hours before the Tabernacle, tended small flower gardens, and remained interested in the comfort of guests. Several months after retiring, she became ill and was confined to the infirmary. She died on September 10, 1964. Msgr. Albert Thompson, chaplain, celebrated the funeral Mass. Sister Mary Paul’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.