Sister Alphonsa died at St. Mary's Hospital, Detroit in 1925. Joanna donohue was born and brought up on a farm near Pontiac, Michigan, being a child of a family of thirteen children, nine of whom were living at the time of her death.
Sister Alphonsa made her vows in 1907. She was sent as a novice to St. Mary's, Mt. Clenens where it was easily ascertained that she had the makings of a successful teacher. She taught successively at Loraine and ann Arbor and in 1910 was sent to St. Vincent's, Detroit. Aserious illness in 1910 left her with a heart weakness which was ever afterwords a source of suffering to her and finally the cause of her death.
Sister was an exact and perfect religious. Her motto seemed to be order and perfection in little things. Everything about her charge was always in perfect condition. When she was suddenly sent to the hospital from St. Vincent's , her Superiot remarked avout the order of her desk, her study drawer and especially of her clothes.
Sister Alphonsa endeared herself to her companions by her sincere and unselfish charity. She was always ready to do something for others and took great pride in doing it with perfection. She was a power in her schoolroom. Her quiet and methodical way of doing things was reflected in her class. She was always cheerful and her patience ever fresh and ready to accept what God had in store for her. When her last sickness came in 1925 she did not fear death, but calmly said to Sister Agnita, "How much we have to thank God for in calling us to His service, in giving us good parents and brothers and sisters. Pray much for them. Thank Mother General for letting you remain with me."
Thi final sunmmons came about eveven p.m., July 6. Her own sister, Sister Agnita, had the privelege of saying the final prayers and holding the blessed candle while her soul passed into the Hands of the Creator.
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