Helena Carolina Haninger of Lakeway, fondly known by friends and family as simply Carolyn or Sister Carolyn, passed from this life on December 15, 2018 to be with the Lord, her parents and all of her siblings.
Carolyn was born on July 21, 1923 to Katherine Emia Wingerter and George Haninger. She was raised in El Paso, Texas along with her brother, George Andrew, also known to everyone in the family as perfect George, and her sisters, Harriett Marie, Katherine Willamina and Elizabeth “Betsy” Ann. Carolyn quickly developed a passion and love for serving God, and was a devout Catholic. Carolyn, as president of the senior class at Loretto Academy, lead the procession of 400 catholic high school students at the formal dedication of the monument on Sierra de Cristo Rey. The cross and statue of Christ at the top, giving the mountain its name, was dedicated on October 17, 1940. She graduated from Loretto Academy in El Paso on May 29, 1941. Thereafter, she entered the convent run by the Sisters of Loretto. On September 16, 1951, Carolyn pronounced her vows of perpetual poverty, chastity, and obedience, and became a member of the religious order. As one of the Sisters of Loretto, Carolyn chose the name Sister Andrew Marie.
She taught the sciences in a number of catholic high schools, biology being her favorite subject. Once, while teaching at St. Mary’s High School in Colorado, Sister Carolyn’s name was drawn and she won a piano, which she then donated to the school, she always referred to that as her luckiest day. On August 4, 1959, she received a Master of Science degree from The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. She absolutely loved Notre Dame and was avid sports fan, and would be so proud of her Fighting Irish today. Sister Carolyn spent significant time in Colorado, fell in love with the Rocky Mountains and unsurprisingly, the Denver Broncos. She enjoyed teaching wherever she was assigned, and of course keeping basketball statistics for the coaches.
Sister Carolyn’s first love in life was always Jesus, although she had many other passions. Among her favorite activities were exploring the beach, spending time with family, fossil hunting, watching football and putting impossible jigsaw puzzles together. Of course, each visit with Sister Carolyn came with the mandatory tour of her stuffed animal collection, composed of mostly monkeys. Her 95 years on this earth were fruitful, but she always kept focused on an everlasting life in heaven.
Sister Carolyn was always so proud to tell anyone about her 25 nieces and nephews, they were the light of her life. Harriett and Charles Wagner’s children are Sandy, Roger, Charlene and Craig; George and Kay Haninger’s children are Drew, Ellen Marie, Eddie, Chris, Doug, Greg and Janet; Katherine and Victor Koenig’s children are Carol Ann, Paul, Kathy, Willie, David, Theresa and Mary Alice; Betsy and Charlie Graham’s children are Charlie, Carolyn, Peggy, Jane, Gerry, John and Buddy. We were blessed to have Sister Carolyn as our Aunt.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Samuel L. Hose at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at The Church of the Resurrection of the Lord - Emmaus Catholic Parish. The church is located at 1718 Lohmans Crossing in Lakeway, Texas. Interment will follow after the Mass at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks. The funeral home and memorial park is located at 6300 W. William Cannon Drive in Austin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rancho 3M, a Christian orphanage and school located on 18 acres in the desert valley of Guadalupe in Mexico. Since 1969, Rancho 3M has been caring for at-risk and orphaned children from the city of Juarez. The director of the Rancho 3M, Dean Adamek, is Sister Carolyn’s grandnephew. Dean Adamek is also the grandson of Harriett Wagner, Sister Carolyn’s sister. The address of Rancho 3M is Mexico Multiple Missions, P.O. Box 3660, Fabens, Texas 79838. Their website can be found at https://www.rancho3m.com.
v.1.1.4