Liquori Sullivan Obituary

Sister Liguori Sullivan, OSB, foundress and first Prioress of Benet Hill Monastery, died on August 3 at Benet Hill Monastery at the age of 93. Born in Spring Fork, Missouri to Michael Sullivan and Mary Ellen (O'Brien) Sullivan, Sister Liguori was preceded in death by her sisters, Sister Norine, OSB and Edna Carlson, and is survived by her sister Anne Sullivan. Sister Liguori, baptized Josephine Alberta, entered Mt. St. Scholastica Convent, Atchison, KS, June 1933 and made final monastic profession January 1, 1938. She received her BS in Biology at Mt. St. Scholastica College Atchison, KS and her MS in Education from Kansas State University. Sister Liguori did further postgraduate work at Creighton University and Kansas State Teachers College. During her many years of service, Sister Liguori was teacher and administrator, in both Catholic high schools and colleges, in Kansas and Colorado. In response to Archbishop Urban Vehr's invitation to "establish a first rate high school for girls," Mother Celeste Hemmen missioned Sister Liguori to establish a new Benedictine foundation and organize Benet Hill Academy for girls on August 15, 1963. Sister served as the first Prioress from 1965 - 1975. In 1977 Sister Liguori responded to the educational needs of Catholics in Pueblo, and organized a private independent Catholic School, John Neumann K -9, serving as Superintendent for the next three years. In her later years, Sister established and directed the Adult Literacy Opportunity Program involving several sisters and other professional teachers who prepared women and men to make their GED and Citizenship goals a reality. Her love of Benedictine Monastic Life, belief in the importance of education, need to 'make this world a better place', and spontaneity in Irish wit and intimacy with Christ live on in her legacy to the Benet Hill Community. Sister Liguori's vigil will be held on Wednesday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m. and her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Peace Chapel at Benet Hill Monastery, 2555 Chelton Road. Memorials may be made to Benet Hill Monastery for the new ministry center since; education was Sister Liguori's passion in life.