Sr. Rachel Best O.S.B

Sr. Rachel Best, OSB (formerly Helen Regina) 86, died peacefully on July 23rd at St. Paul Hermitage where she was a resident. She was born on February 2, 1933 to Charles and Helen Esther Best, in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. After entering Monastery Immaculate Conception, Ferdinand, Indiana in 1952, she made her First Monastic Profession in 1954 and her Perpetual Monastic Profession in 1957. Sister is a founding member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana where she celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2012. She attended New Albany High School and graduated from Academy Immaculate Conception. Sr. Rachel received a BA in Education from St. Benedict College and a Master’s in Education from Catherine Spalding College. She was an Educator, Principal. Director of Religious Education and Director of Spirituality. Sr. Rachel served her Religious Community as Subprioress and Prioress. She was missioned at the following places: St. Joseph, Evansville, Indiana – 1955-1956. [Primary Teacher] St. Anthony, Clarksville, Indiana – 1956-1962 [Primary Teacher] St. Bartholomew, Columbus, Indiana – 1962-1964 [Primary Teacher] St. Columba, Columbus, Indiana – 1964-1977 [Principal/Primary Teacher] Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana – 1977-1979 [Subprioress] Holy Guardian Angel & St. John the Baptist, Dover, Indiana – 1979-1980 [Director of Religious Education] St. Anthony, Clarksville, Indiana – 1980-1982 [Primary Teacher] St. Anthony, Clarksville, Indiana – 1982-1993 [Principal] Our Lady of Grace Monastery – 1993-2001 [Prioress] Sabbatical – 2001-2002 St. Paul Hermitage – 2002-2003 [Pastoral Care] Our Lady of Peace Monastery, Columbia, Missouri – 2003-2004 [Administrator] Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center – 2005-2014 [Director of Spirituality] She retired in 2014. Sister was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Kiren (Bob), Charles (Chalk) and Arthur Best, and her sister, Alginet Banet. She is survived by her Religious Community, her sisters, Rose Lang of Bradenton, Florida, Margaret Huber of Floyds Knobs, Indiana and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at St. Paul Hermitage on Monday, July 29th from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and then at Our Lady of Grace Monastery from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A wake service will be held on Monday at 7:00 PM in the Monastery Chapel. The funeral Mass is at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, July 30th with visitation from 2:00 PM until the funeral. For a full obituary, please visit our website at www.benedictine.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Retired Sisters’ Fund, c/o Sisters of St. Benedict, 1402 Southern Avenue, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107 or online at www.benedictine.com. Little & Sons Funeral Home, Beech Grove, is entrusted with the arrangements.