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Sister Marie Montgomery celebrates her 100th birthday

On Jan. 27, 2023, Ursuline Sister Marie Montgomery celebrated her 100th birthday with a party in the Rainbow Room at Saint Joseph Villa. Sister Marie is the oldest Sister in the community, and has been an Ursuline for 79 years. She was a teacher for most of those years, with a few years in Kentucky and Missouri, but mostly in her beloved New Mexico for 40 years.

Some of her family joined in the festivities, and Bishop William Medley blessed her after Mass. The Sisters were also celebrating the feast of the Ursuline founder, Saint Angela Merici. Here are pictures from the day.

Sister Elaine Burke, right, also celebrated a birthday on Jan. 27, her 92nd. The Sisters sang happy birthday to her as well.
Sister Marie, left, talks with Sister Marie Bosco Wathen, who at 98 years old is the third oldest Sister in the community. Sister Naomi Aull is the second.
Barbara Montgomery, Sister Marie’s sister-in-law, and her nephew Wayne Pickrell welcome Sister Marie with flowers.
Sister Mary Matthias Ward visits with Sister Marie, as Barbara Montgomery and Wayne Pickrell look on. The two Sisters served in Gallup, N.M., together from 2003-07.
Sister Jacinta Powers, left, director of nursing at the Mount, urged people to celebrate Sister Marie’s life by sharing their stories of her.
Sister Nancy Liddy gives Sister Marie a hug. Sister Nancy said later that whenever she asked Sister Marie how she was doing, she replied, “Fit as a fiddle with one string broken.”
Sister Sheila Anne Smith was a student at Sacred Heart School in Farmington, N.M. when Sister Marie taught there in 1956-58. Sister Sheila Anne said getting to clean Sister Marie’s classroom was fun because Sister Marie was so gentle and friendly.
Barbara Ervin, a nurse in Saint Joseph Villa, said Sister Marie used to bring her a cup of coffee every day. Barbara was amazed at Sister Marie’s exercise regimen every morning.
Sister Catherine Kaufman said Sister Marie loved exercise class so much she’d shout, “Whoopee!”
Sister Pat Rhoten led the singing of “You Are My Sunshine,” one of Sister Marie’s favorite songs.
Sister Grace Swift led the singing of Sister Marie’s favorite song, “Springtime in the Rockies.” Sister Francis Louise Johnson joins in the singing at left.
The Sisters gathered in the Rainbow Room sing along with Sister Grace.
Lizzy Millay, left, Sister Marie’s niece, said Sister Marie always remembered feeding the chickens on the Knottsville, Ky., farm where she grew up.
Sister Marie Joseph Coomes talks about how her family and Sister Marie’s family were neighbors in their youth.
The youngest and oldest member of the community, Sister Monica Seaton and Sister Marie.
Sister Ann Patrice Cecil wishes Sister Marie a happy birthday.
Bishop William Medley blesses Sister Marie during the lunch hour. The bishop said Mass because it was the feast of Saint Angela Merici.
Sister Marie said something to invoke a laugh from Bishop William Medley.
Pictures of Sister Marie through her 79 years in community were on display in the Rainbow Room.
Everyone got a piece of Sister Marie's birthday cake.

 

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