Sr. Adele Marie Machala

Sister Adele Marie Machala, 87, died on April 5, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Julia (Kubin) Machala and was born in Crosby, Texas. She attended Crosby Public School in Crosby, Parker Public School in Parker, WA, and Yakima Catholic School in Yakima, WA. She attended Crosby High School and graduated from Nazareth Academy in Victoria. She entered Nazareth Convent and became a Novice of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on August 5, 1956 and made her first profession of vows on August 6, 1957. She received a BA degree with a major in education and a minor in history from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and a Master of Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

During her 68 years as a professed religious, Sister Adele Marie taught at St. Mary School in Nada, Sacred Heart School in La Grange, St. Michael School in Weimar, Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, St. Leo School, St. John School and Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, Immaculate Conception School in Sealy, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Selma, Sacred Heart School in Crosby, Sacred Heart School in Floresville, St. Patrick School in Dallas, St. Joseph High School and Our Lady of Victory School in Victoria; she served as principal at St. John's School in San Antonio. She also ministered in CCD classes in Holy Cross parish in East Bernard and St. Basil Parish in Angleton.

In 1989 she moved to Incarnate Word Convent and began assisting in the Incarnate Word Gift Shop and in a variety of household duties. In 2009 Sister participated in a sabbatical in Ministry to Minsters at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. Sister moved into the Incarnate Word Convent Health Care in 2010 and assisted in being a phone receptionist for as long as she was able. Sister was known for her graciousness, her kindness, her love of prayer and devotions especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Divine Mercy. She found joy in gifting others with religious photos and offering to pray for them and their intentions. She was a gentle soul who loved God, her religious sisters, her family and friends dearly.

Sister Adele Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Victor, Rudy (Margie) and Francis Machala and her sisters Angie (Donald) Burns and Cecilia (Jerome) Hollan. She is survived by her brothers Joe (June) and Clement “Gerry” ((Debbie) Machala.

Rosary and Visitation will be held at Incarnate Word Convent (1101 N.E. Water Street, Victoria, TX, 77901) on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. and a Wake Service with Evening Praise and Sharing of Memories at 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, a Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Incarnate Word Convent with Bishop Brendan Cahill as Presider, Sister Adele Marie’s cousin Reverend David Leibham as homilist, and the Sister’s Chaplain Reverend Albert Yankey as Master of Ceremonies. An 11:30 a.m. reception will be held in the convent dining room followed by 1:30 p.m. burial at Catholic Cemetery #3.

Memorials may be made to Incarnate Word Convent, Victoria, Incarnate Word Convent Health Care, Victoria, or donor’s choice. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.