Sr. Mary Josephine Breiner

Sister Mary Josephine Breiner, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, died Jan. 2nd at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis, MO. The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in the chapel on Jan. 8th. She was 89 years of age and 70 years religious life. Sister died of congestive heart failure.

Born in Shield, ND on a Sioux Reservation, her parents named her Marie Cecilia. Her father died when she was 4 years old, leaving his wife and 4 children. It was the time of the Great Depression and life for a widow and 4 children was very difficult. When it was time for high school, sister went to live with her mother?s sister in Marquette, MI. There she attended Bishop Baraga High School where she first met the Sisters of St. Joseph.

In 1943, she traveled to St. Louis to enter the convent. She made final profession in 1949. She received a bachelor in Elementary Education from Avila University.

Sister spent her whole teaching career in Kindergarten, First and Second grades. She taught in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Her first 6 years were at St. Elizabeth?s, and her last years were at Redemptorist/Our Lady of the Angels School, where she taught for 21 years before her health forced her to retire. In retirement she was still very active, volunteering in Kindergarten at Visitation School and helping with all the preparations for our St. Joseph Table and Spaghetti Dinner at St. Joseph Hospital.

In 2009, due to declining health and a serious fall, she went into full retirement at Nazareth Living Center where she lived until her death.

Survivors include a brother, Joseph Breiner of Milwaukee, and many nieces and nephews.

Donations in her memory may be made to: Sisters of St. Joseph, 11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.