Sister Valeria Schmidt, 1918-1999
Born November 18, 1918, Latonia, Kentucky
Entered St. Walburg Monastery, December 27, 1938
First Profession June 29, 1940
Died September 8, 1999
Sr. Valeria was the youngest of seventeen children, five of whom died in infancy and all of whom preceded her in death. When she was fifteen, her mother died suddenly. Not long after she began working at McAlpin’s Tea Room and later at the Clopay Shade Company. She spoke frequently of her years there and of the deep and lasting friendships she formed.
At the age of twenty she entered St. Walburg Monastery. Sr. Valeria spent the major portion of her ministry from 1940 until 1974 teaching in many different schools. She mostly taught in the primary grades.
From 1975 until 1987 Sr. Valeria served in the Pastoral Ministry Department at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. She prepared for this by completing course work in Clinical Pastoral Education. From the time of her retirement in 1987 until her death she served the Benedictine community through work and prayer.
Sr. Valeria fought a long and valiant fight against the cancer that afflicted her. She took surgery, radiation, chemotherapy all in stride. She loved socializing with the community and with her many devoted relatives and friends. She was never short on words.