Mary LaStant, BVM (Adorina)
Mary LaStant, BVM died Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. The Natural Burial Rite of Committal is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. in the Marian Hall Chapel. A prayer service will be held on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at 11 a.m., followed by a Memorial Mass at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
She was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on Aug. 10, 1926, to Earnest and Margaret Melloy LaStant. She entered the BVM congregation Sept. 8, 1944, from St. Raphael Cathedral, Dubuque. She professed first vows on March 19, 1947, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1952.
Mary was an elementary school teacher in Dubuque; Chicago; Sacramento and Glendale, Calif.; Kauai, Hawaii; and Chattanooga, Tenn. She also served in food service in Berwyn, Ill.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother John and a sister Rita. She is survived by a niece, nephews, and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with whom she shared life for 71 years.
Sister Mary LaStant, BVM (Adorine)
Memorial Mass Welcome
Marian Hall, Nov. 9, 2015
Good afternoon and welcome to the celebration of life of our Sister Mary LaStant.
Mary Lillian LaStant was born on Aug. 10, 1926, the eldest child of Ernest LaStant and Margaret Melloy of Dubuque, Iowa. She was later joined by siblings John and Rita, both of whom died in 1993. Mary graduated from St. Raphael ES and attended one semester at Visitation Academy before going to work at the Dubuque Packing Co.
On her application for admission, Mary wrote that by becoming a Sister “I’m sure I’ll be helping and doing something for God . . . Life is so short I would like to make the best of it.” She entered the congregation on Sept. 8, 1944, received the name Adorine upon her reception on March 19, 1945, professed her first vows on March 19, 1947, and lived 71 years as a BVM.
Mary briefly worked as an assistant cook at St. Joseph Academy in Des Moines, Iowa, before teaching mostly kindergarten and fifth grade for 40 years. She was missioned at St. Dominic, Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Ferdinand in Chicago, Ill.; All Hallows in Sacramento, Calif.; Holy Cross in Kauai, Hawaii; St. Patrick and St. Anthony in Dubuque; Incarnation in Glendale, Calif.; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Mary was a creative teacher who used innovative games and strategies to capture the attention of her kindergarten students and nurture an enthusiasm for learning. With her older students, she worked diligently to help those who struggled and masterfully handled those with behavioral challenges. Mary was practical, organized and a hard worker; classroom routines and expectations were well-defined.
Still, she looked for opportunities to help her underprivileged students, providing classroom items for those who could not afford them and simple snacks for those who needed a boost. She freely offered encouragement to both students and teachers, just one of the qualities that made her an excellent mentor for beginning teachers. After retiring from teaching, she returned to her love of cooking to the delight of the sisters at St. Odilo convent in Berwyn, Ill.
Mary loved her years in Hawaii and often spoke of them. While there, she formed a close friendship with Charlotte Ann Esch. When Charlotte Ann moved to Wright Hall, she discovered a welcome note and a Chicago Transit Authority map waiting for her, courtesy of Mary. The two of them would travel the CTA on Saturdays to see the sights of the big city. Mary also enjoyed moving back to Mount Carmel as it afforded her the opportunity to be close to her family and to reconnect with her former students from St. Patrick and St. Anthony.
For 13 years Mary volunteered as a companion for the sisters here at Mount Carmel. Because of her helpfulness and kindness, she was well respected and a favorite among both the drivers and the sisters. “I like working with our drivers,” Mary commented. “They have become my good friends.”
She was also very thoughtful. On Saturdays, she would ride the bus to the mall to shop. After enjoying lunch at Bishop’s restaurant, she would return in the afternoon with bags of items for various sisters. And when she needed a driver to take her and a friend out for dinner, she always treated the driver to a meal.
Despite experiencing some difficult moments in her life, Mary tried to maintain an upbeat spirit. She will always be remembered for her good sense of humor and for pulling a joke out of her pocket at the dinner table and saying, “Have you heard the one about . . . ?” Mary enjoyed people. She was a forthright and authentic person who made others feel comfortable. Her flexibility and adaptability also made her a good person with whom to live.
“Life is so short I would like to make the best of it.” Those were wise words from an 18-year-old. Once, in a conversation about life, Mary shared that trying to make her BVM sisters happy, to uplift them and bring them joy was the most important thing in her life. She truly lived that belief. To paraphrase Proverbs, Mary was a valiant woman. She brought forth good, and not evil, all the days of her life . . . She enjoyed the success of her dealings . . . She was clothed with strength and dignity and she laughed at the days to come . . . And as we continue this celebration of Mary’s life, we, her family and friends, rise up and praise her.