Sister Mary Hilaria Phipps

Sister Mary Hilaria Phipps, 87, died Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2013, at Ross Hall, Mother House, Leavenworth, KS.  She served as a Sister of Charity for 69 years.

Roberta Ann Phipps was born on Sept. 3, 1926, in St. Louis, MO, one of four children of Raymond Brian and Mary Frechin Phipps. She attended Redemptorist Grade School and Loretto Academy, Kansas City, MO. She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Sept. 1, 1944, and, as Sister Mary Hilaria, made her profession of vows on March 10, 1946.

For over half a century, Sister Mary Hilaria taught in elementary and secondary schools across the West and Midwest. Her assignments included 20 years overall at Sacred Heart in Falls City and 14 years at Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, SD. She worked in student support services at Donnelly College in Kansas City, KS, from 1995 until she retired to the Mother House in 2007. Sister Mary Hilaria was a creative and enthusiastic teacher of math and journalism who inspired countless students over the years.

She received a BS in Education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, and a MS in Science Education and Math from Creighton University in Omaha.

Survivors include her sister, Linda Phipps, Orlando, FL, friends and her SCL Community.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Ross Chapel of the Sisters of Charity Mother House in Leavenworth. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.  

Honoring Sister Mary Hilaria’s request, her body has been donated to the University of Kansas Medical Center for scientific study. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.