Mother Ottilla Hoeveler, O.S.B., 1844-1915

Mother Ottilla Hoeveler

Mother Ottilia Hoeveler, O.S.B., founder of St. Mary’s Convent in Nauvoo, poet, authoress and philanthropist, and one of the best known attaches of the sisterhood of the Catholic Church in this country, passed away at the convent at 8 o’clock last Friday evening, aged 70 years, 11 months and 2 days.  She had been ill for several months, and during the past week continually grew worse until death relieved her of her sufferings.  

Mary Amelia Hoeveler was born in Pittsburg, Pa., May 21, 1844; she entered – Benedictine convent at St. Mary’s, Elk County, Pa., Oct. 28th, 1863, and received the habit, on Dec. 8, 1863  She missioned to Newark, N.J., Nebraska City, Neb., and Chicago, Ill., where she remained until the convent was destroyed in the great fire of 1871, when she was appointed directress of the academy at Johnstown, Pa.  The Chicago community having been reassembled in 1873 and wishing to adopt the rule of the English Benedictine, Mother Ottilia was sent with Sister Frances to England to visit the different communities of the order in that country.  In 1874 application had been made to the Chicago convent for sisters to open a school in Nauvoo.  Mother Ottilia accepted the mission and with the exception of one year – 1875-1876 – she resided here continuously.  On Sept. 29, 1879, requested by the Most Rev. J. L. Spalding, then bishop of Peoria, Mother Ottilia accepted the superiorship of the new independent community.

Mother Ottilia’s whole life was devoted to her religion and the church, and her piety was worthy of imitation.

She was the author of various works, one of them, which was only recently completed, being a book of poems entitled, “The Happy Girls of St. Mary’s”.  The book contained pictures of former pupils and was appreciated by each and every one of them.  The writing of this book, in her humble way, meant to perpetuate the scholastic influences to them to whom it was dedicated.

Throughout her life her aim was to educate and better the conditions of the growing women and young ladies of her sex.  She was loved by her associate teachers, and was known and beloved by every resident in the vicinity of Nauvoo, and by the hundreds of young women who received training and education in the school, founded and conducted under her direction.  Her beautiful character predominated over the school at all times and her memory will cling to the institution and will be honored in our city and vicinity for all time.

She was a woman of keen perception and sound judgment, and had an open and warm heart in which flowed the blood of human kindness and sympathy.  While her work was at times difficult and trying, she did this for many years without complaint.

Her sudden and untimely death is mourned by everyone in this community, irrespective of church affiliations, and her memory will linger long enshrined in the hearts of those who knew and loved her best.  Expressions of deep sorrow and regret could be heard everywhere over her passing away and it is with profound sorrow that we are compelled to chronicle her death.  She was a devoted and true Christian; she loved our people, she loved the hills and the big river and it seems almost beyond belief that she shall never greet us again.

More could be said in memory of the deceased, but her whole life was an open book, whose pages will last in the memory of them who knew her many years.

Mother Ottilia is survived by a sister, Mrs. Edw. Hutmacher of this city, and a brother Joseph of Saint Louis, Mo.

The funeral took place yesterday morning at 9 o’clock from SS. Peter and Paul’s church, and was largely attended.

Celebrant at mass of requiem – Rt. Rev. E. M. Dunne, D. D., bishop of Peoria.

Deacon – Rev. Father Hilary, O.S.B., of Burlington, Iowa

Sub-Deacon – Rev. Father Galligan of Burlington.

Master of ceremonies – Rev. Father Schauer of Warsaw, Ill.

Rt. Rev. Vincent Huber, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Bedes, Peru, Ill., delivered the panegyric and gave the last absolution.

Present in the sanctuary were Revs. Fathers Hundt of Burlington and O’Brien of Carthage, Ill.

Revs. Fathers Kern, Hoffman and Zaiser of Ft. Madison were prevented from attending by the opening of the Santa Fe bridge draw, delaying their crossing.

Mrs. J. Furlong of Keokuk, assisted the local choir as soloist, and Miss Culver of Keokuk presided at the organ.

The pallbearers were L. V. Datin, Jas. Farren, L. C. Schaefer, George Hemmy, Allie Faulkner, and Phineas J. Kimball.

The floral tributes were many, and very handsome, and out-of-town guests too numerous to mention.