Sister Mary Virginia, 92, died on September 13, 2024. She was born on January 16, 1932 in Edna, Texas to the late Elmer and Annie Hollas Sheblak and was the eldest of five children, one girl and four boys. She completed grammar school at Haynes School near Edna and was a graduate of Nazareth Academy High School in Victoria.
Sister became a postulant of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Victoria in 1947, entered the novitiate in 1948, and professed her first vows as a Sister on June 7, 1949. Sister celebrated her 75th anniversary of vows on June 7, 2024.
Sister Mary Virginia received a Bachelor’s Degree with a Major in Music and Minor in Education from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, a Master’s in Music Education from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, and Certification in Liturgy from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
During her 75 years as a professed Sister, Sister Mary Virginia taught on the elementary, junior high and high school levels in the following schools: St. Michael School in Weimar, Sacred Heart School in Floresville, Immaculate Conception School in Sealy, St. Ludmila Academy in Shiner, Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, Blessed Sacrament Parish School in San Antonio, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Houston. She also ministered at St. Joseph High School in Victoria teaching and as a registrar. In some schools she also served as band director and bus driver when needed. Sister also served twelve years as Secretary General for the Victoria Sisters’ congregation.
Sister used her talents as she responded to the needs of those around her, whether in the kitchen, the dining room, the laundry, the chapel, the sewing room, etc. In her last years when she resided in the Incarnate Word Convent Health Care, her prayerfulness, welcoming smile, beautiful singing voice, and gentle spirit delighted those around her and those who visited her.
Sister Mary Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Charles Sheblak and Robert (Bobby) Sheblak and her sister-in-law Theresa Sheblak. Sister is survived by her brothers Theodore (Ted and Claudia), Eugene (Gene), and sisters-in-law Mary Sheblak, and Jenny Sheblak, and many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and many friends.
Rosary and Visitation will be held at Incarnate Word Convent (1101 N.E. Water Street, Victoria, TX 77901) on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. and a Wake Service with Evening Praise and Sharing of Memories will be held at 6:30 p.m. On Friday, September 20, 2024 a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Incarnate Word Convent. Burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery #3. Pallbearers are David Sheblak, James Sheblak, Edward Sheblak, John Sheblak, Josh Janecek and Clay Hornstein.
Memorials may be made to Incarnate Word Convent, Victoria, Hospice of South Texas, or donor’s choice. Share memories and condolence with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.
