Sister of St. Mary of Oregon Evelyn Elizabeth Schwall (Sr. Miriam Joseph) was born November 29, 1927 in Nicolaus, California to Josephine (Hermens) and Albert Schwall. Sr. Evelyn completed her life of joyful service, engaging teaching and faith-filled prayer at Maryville Care Center where she died May 9, 2024.
With her 6 siblings, Sr. Evelyn was raised in St. Boniface Parish (Nicolaus, CA) and graduated from East Nicolaus High School in 1948. She was employed at Bank of America in Sacramento until she entered the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, January 24, 1954. Becoming a SSMO novice, August 15, 1954, she received the name Sr. Miriam Joseph. In the 1970’s she returned to using her baptismal name, Evelyn. Sister’s professional education continued at Marylhurst University (BA, 1968), Gonzaga University, and University of Oregon (MS in Teaching, 1971) with additional classes at Portland State University (finance), Portland Community College (nursing assistant), and Yuba College, Marysville, CA (computer publishing).
Through her 40 years of education ministry, Sr. Evelyn’s strength and passion was science; she served 12 years as a science teacher. During these years, she reconstructed the science lab at Tillamook Catholic High School and worked on the Archdiocese of Portland Catholic Schools Science and Health Curriculum Committee. She worked 4 years as a middle school teacher and 2 years as a principal/vice principal. Sr. Evelyn served in many Oregon Catholic Schools: St. Mary of the Valley High School (Beaverton), St. Boniface High School (Sublimity), Tillamook High School (Tillamook) , Our Lady of Sorrows (Portland), St. Francis of Assisi (Roy), St. Pius X (Portland), St. Mary (Stayton), Sacred Heart (Gervais), St. Matthew (Hillsboro). Her last years in education were teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). From 1990 to 1996, in order to be close enough to provide care for her mother, Sr. Evelyn ministered at St. Joseph Parish, Marysville, CA as Parish Assistant responsible for the parish RCIA and Religious Education programs as well as serving as a team member for the 1993 major parish plant refurbishing project. At the age of 75, Sr. Evelyn resumed her previous (1985-1990) ministry at Maryville Care Center as part of the IT—Computer team. In 2007 she became a resident of Maryville Care Center. In the classroom, in the parish, at Maryville, Sr. Evelyn’s words, actions and presence proclaimed God’s love for all.
One of Sr. Evelyn’s favorite Scripture passages is Christ’s assurance that what is asked for in prayer will be received; she lived this as she prayed faithfully for family, Sisters, friends and their concerns and needs. Sr. Evelyn was a storyteller; events and interactions with people were recreated in her joyful, humorous, other-affirming narratives. A talented, creative knitter, Sr. Evelyn’s love for others was tangible in the articles she knitted for others, especially including the poor, those in need. As a SSMO community member, Sr. Evelyn shared her domestic gifts, but was especially generous in her year of service as nursing assistant in the SSMO Infirmary. Prayer, simplicity, sisterly love were the hallmarks of Sr. Evelyn’s life lived in joyful service of God.
Sr. Evelyn Schwall died on May 9, 2024. She is missed, loved and survived by her many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, her Sisters in Community, and the attentive Maryville caregivers and nursing staff. She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Josephine Schwall and her siblings: Robert, Anna, Lawrence, Harold, Ralph, and Sr. Alberta Schwall, SSMO.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Evelyn Schwall’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Sr. Evelyn Schwall
November 29, 1927—May 9, 2024
Vigil Service—May 16, 2024 at 7 pm—SSMO Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel
Mass of Christian Burial— May 17, 2024 at 4 pm—SSMO Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel
Interment— May 20, 2024 at 9:30 am —SSMO Cemetery
Therefore, I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. Mark 11:24
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