Sister Loyola Berry, O.S.B., 1893-1986

Sister Loyola Berry, 91, of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Priory, died Sunday, June 17, at the motherhouse of an apparent heart attack.

Mary Ellen Berry was born May 18, 1893, at Ottawa, Ill.  She professed her vows as Sister Loyola on Aug. 13, 1914.  She had attended St. Xavier Academy in Ottawa and St. Mary Academy in Nauvoo.  She received her B.A. degree from St. Ambrose College, Davenport.  An educator, she had taught in parochial schools in the Peoria diocese and was a member of the staff of Arlington public school for 25 years.  From 1952-1968, she taught at Alleman High School in Rock Island and later tutored Latin-American students attending St. Mary Academy in Nauvoo.

She is survived by several nieces.

She was preceded in death by 11 brothers and a sister.  Her parents were John and Alice Brown Berry.

Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Priory chapel with the Rev. Thomas Fahey officiating.  Burial will be in the Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery near Nauvoo.

The body will lie in state from 4:15 to 9 p.m. today at the Priory where a wake service will be conducted by the Benedictine sisters at 4:15 p.m.  The Lamporte Funeral Home in Navuoo is in charge of arrangements.