Sister of St. Joseph Monica Schaeffer (formerly Sister Marie Ursula) died on Oct. 14, 2010, at the motherhouse in Pittsford. She was 95 years old.
Sister Schaeffer entered the congregation in 1932 from her home parish of Holy Rosary in Rochester. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1945 and a bachelor’s degree in English and history in 1961, both from Nazareth College in Pittsford.
She began teaching in 1934 at Immaculate Conception in Rochester and remained in education for more than 50 years. She taught at St. Paul, Oswego; Immaculate Conception, Ithaca; St Joseph’s Villa; St. Rose, Lima; and St. Mary, Elmira. After serving as principal at St. Mary, Elmira, and St. Paul, Oswego, from 1958-70, she returned to the classroom at Holy Rosary for 13 more years. In 1985, she was asked to serve as coordinator at the motherhouse. After six years in that position, she remained at the motherhouse and worked in congregational service until her retirement in 2001.
Sister Schaeffer is survived by her sister, Virginia (Gerard) Cook; her nephews, Mark Cook, Peter Cook, Mathew Cook, Thomas Schaeffer and Gerard Schaeffer; her niece, Ann Moore; many grandnieces and grandnephews; and her sisters in the congregation.
Her funeral liturgy was celebrated on Oct. 21, 2010, in the motherhouse chapel with burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Fund, 150 French Road, Rochester, NY 14618.
