A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Louise Happich, D.C., was celebrated December 14, 2019, at the Seton Residence Chapel in Evansville, IN; burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery, Evansville. Sister Mary Louise died December 11, 2019, at Seton Residence, Evansville. Sister was 91 years of age and 70 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Sister Mary Louise (baptized Mary Louise) was born June 16, 1928, in New Orleans, and was one of four children of Edward W. and Catherine (Klarr) Happich. Sister graduated from St. Stephen High School in New Orleans in 1945, and entered the Daughters of Charity in St. Louis, MO, in July of 1949. After her initial formation and while pursuing her B.A. degree from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis. Sister Mary Louise began her service in education ministry in 1951 at Cathedral School in Natchez, MS. From there she continued as an elementary school principal in Montebello and Los Angeles, CA, where she earned her M.A. in Education from Loyola University (Sister also served as Local Community Superior during this time, 1961-1968). She then returned to St. Louis to serve at St. Catherine Labouré School (where she served as Local Community Superior, 1968-1972). For the next 10 years, Sister taught in schools in Arabi and New Orleans, LA, and then in Dallas, TX. Sister also served as docent at the Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg, MD, after which she became a member of the Parish Ministry Team in Sallisaw, OK. Returning to St. Louis, Sister served in various ministries with Catholic Health Outreach, Catholic Community Services, and Marillac Provincialate until she came to Seton Residence to serve in the Ministry of Prayer.
Sister Mary Louise was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Eddie and Joseph Happich and her sister Rita Dodd. She is survived by beloved nieces and nephews, her Sisters in Community and many friends.