Sister Donna Henry, 1912-1997
Born June 9, 1912, Lexington, Kentucky
Entered St. Walburg Monastery, August 10, 1934
First Profession August 25, 1934
Died April 30, 1997
Sr. Donna was the youngest of five children. Her father was a policeman in Lexington and Sr. Donna had some interesting tales about those days. She was introduced to the Benedictine Sisters by Fr. Earl Bauer and entered St. Walburg Monastery in 1934
Sr. Donna taught high school from 1943-1953. In 1953 she added library work to her teaching schedule. In 1961 she became the high school librarian at Holy Cross High School. From 1965-70 she was Associate Librarian at Villa Madonna College and returned to being a teacher-librarian at St. Henry High School in 1970. In 1984 she took over the monastery library for six years. In addition, in 1976 she enrolled in an internship program at Jesuit Renewal Center to gain skill in spiritual direction and used her skills to assist members of the community.
Sr. Donna moved to the infirmary as the community prepared for renovation in 1993. The confusion and disorder were difficult for her. She was a serious person, but quick with unexpected puns and verbal wit. She retained her Lexington accent throughout her life. In a poem written in 1947 Sr. Donna said: Death should hold no fear; for should a child fear to go home … Death is a going home. The passage is brief. God takes us by the hand and we are home.