Sr. M. Jeanne De Matel Hayden

– Sister M. Jeanne de Matel Hayden, 95, of Victoria, died December 14, 2013. She was born May 1, 1918, in San Antonio, TX to the late Robert Joseph Hayden and Emma Caroline (Nocker) Hayden. She was a Catholic and a member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.

Sister Jeanne de Matel completed grammar grades at St. Leo’s Elementary School, high school at Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio and graduated in 1936. She entered Blessed Sacrament Convent as a Postulant on August 17, 1936. On June 10, 1937, she received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. On June 11, 1938 she made her first profession of vows. She received her BA degree with a major in English and a minor in Spanish and her M.A. degree from Incarnate Word College with a major in Education and a minor in History.

During the 75 years of her religious profession, Sister Jeanne de Matel taught on the elementary and junior high levels at Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, St. Leo School and Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, Nazareth Academy in Victoria, St. Mary School in Praha, Holy Cross School in Bay City, Assumption School in Ganado, St. Michael School in Weimar, Sacred Heart School in Crosby and Holy Cross School in East Bernard. She also served 15 years as principal in four of the schools.

After retiring from full-time classroom ministry, Sister Jeanne de Matel served the Congregation as an assistant to the Treasurer General. She continued to use her “green thumb” to enhance the beauty of the Chapel and the living quarters of the Sisters at Incarnate Word Convent; she also made rosaries for the missions. She entered into her Apostolate of Prayer and Suffering in 2004.

She was preceded in death by: parents, Robert Joseph Hayden and Emma Caroline (Nocker) Hayden; brother, Vernon Joseph Hayden; brother-in-law, Oscar Clark; sisters-in-law, Hilda Hayden, and Mercedes Hayden.

Survivors: Sisters, Sister M. John Hayden, and Mrs. Lillian Clark, nieces and nephews.

On Tuesday, December 17, Visitation and Scriptural Rosary will be at 3:00 p.m., and a Wake Service with Evening Praise and Sharing of Memories will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the convent.

On Wednesday, December 18, a funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the convent. Burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery No. 3.

Pallbearers will be family and Knights of Columbus.

Memorials may be made to Incarnate Word Convent, Hospice of South Texas, or donor’s choice.

Arrangements are with Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, 361-578-3535.