A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Augusta Von Drehle, D.C., was celebrated Feb. 22, 2014, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Emmitsburg.
Sister Mary Augusta died Feb. 14, 2014, at 94 years of age. In 2013, she celebrated 74 years of vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born March 13, 1919, in Washington, D.C., Sister Mary Augusta was one of four children born to Anne Cecilia (Sandkuhler) and Clarence Bernard Von Drehle.
Sister Mary Augusta joined the Daughters of Charity June 16, 1939, in Emmitsburg. She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg and a master’s degree from Boston College with a major in English. She held certifications in English, journalism, tutoring, ESL teaching, and adult literacy.
Her missions as an elementary school teacher were at St. Dominic School in Baltimore, Md.; Cathedral Elementary in Syracuse, N.Y.; St. Joseph School in Martinsburg, W.V.; Immaculate Conception School in Cambridge, Mass.; St. Mary School in Troy, N.Y.; Sacred Heart School in Norfolk, Va.; Queen of Peace School in Washington, D.C.; and Catherine Labouré School in Harrisburg, Penn. She taught English and music in the following secondary schools: Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md.; Cathedral Academy in Syracuse; Cardinal McCloskey High School in Albany, N.Y.; Holy Cross High School in Lynchburg, Va.; and Seton High School in Baltimore. Following her years in the classroom, she served as an educational director of public relations for Daughter of Charity Schools and as a librarian in Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg. In 1994, she became a docent at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her next ministry was tutoring with the Literacy Council of Frederick County, Md. In 2012, she began serving in the Ministry of Prayer at Villa St. Michael, a ministry she held until her death.
Sister Mary Augusta was preceded in death by her parents and her three brothers. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Shirley Von Drehle; several nieces and nephews; and her sisters in community.