Submitted by: Dan Rich
Aug. 1, 1907 - March 4, 2004
Sister Bernadette Marie, CSC, (Eleanor Teresa Downey), 96, was born in Saint Joseph, Mo., to the late Michael J. Downey and Eleanor Welch. Her sister, Sister M. John Berchmans, CSC, preceded her. Sister is survived by nieces, Margaret Mary Moore of Shawnee Mission, Kan., Katherine Potter of Overland Park, Kan., Mary Reed of Blue Springs, Mo., Mary Kay Thompson of Tucson, Ariz., and nephews, Charles J. Dovalosky of Newton Fall, Ohio, and G. W. Downey of Independence, MO. Her many friends will miss her.
Sister Bernadette Marie gained her early education in Saint Joseph. She attended Gard's Business School, and was a stenographer until she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, June 1933. She made her first profession in 1936, and her final profession in 1939. She again attended Gard's Business University, St. Joseph and Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind.
Because of her training and experience as a stenographer, Sister worked in the Dean of Studies office and was director of duplicating services 1936-1942.
She became secretary to the President of Saint Mary's College, Sister Madeleva, and continued that office for 4 more College Presidents, until 1972. Sister remained at Saint Mary's College as archivist until 1985 when she retired to Saint Mary's Convent and was a visitor to the infirmary.
She was active in the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
Reception of the Body and Wake service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Funeral Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.