Sister Mary Alice was born January 30, 1926 to the late Peter and Otilda (Reinhart) Mathias in Frenchtown, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her five sisters: Arleen Kin, Arvilla Sheeley, Agnes Kieffer, Alma Frisch, and Germaine Smith.
Sister Mary Alice, also known as Sister Mary Mark, received her Master of Arts degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis. She served as an elementary teacher in Custar, Miller City, Carey, and Millersville; as high school teacher at Calvert in Tiffin; St. Mary’s High School in Paducah, Ky.; and at St. Mary’s High School in Bismark, N. D. For several years she was secretary, librarian and a teachers’ aide at St. Bernard’s School in New Washington. Her ministry led her into the area of finance. She served as secretary and bookkeeper for Mareda, Inc. (the housing Management Corporation for the Diocese of Toledo) in Toledo, and then as an assistant to the Congregational Treasurer until the time of her sabbatical in 2002-2003. Following her sabbatical until 2007 Sister Mary Alice served the community as a Minister of Service. She then continued to serve the community as a Minister of Prayer until the time of her death.
Sister Mary Alice was particularly fond of crafts. She created many beautiful pieces of work. Making bows for packages, doing counted cross stitch, and crocheting were some of her favorites. She had a great love for animals and nature. She loved to work in the yard and the garden. The beauty of the areas that she took care of was proof of her “green thumb.” Her favorite pastime was working on crossword puzzles.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, April 9, 2012 at St. Francis Home Chapel, 182 St. Francis Ave. Tiffin and 2-8 p.m., at St. Francis Convent Chapel, 200 St. Francis Ave. with a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. in the convent chapel. Visitation will also be from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 10 in the convent chapel.
The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 10 in St. Francis Convent Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Frank Murd. Burial will be in St. Francis Convent cemetery immediately following the funeral.
Contributions may be made to St. Francis Convent or to St. Francis Home in care of Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 South Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio, 44883, 419-447-3113.