Sr. Mary John Hayden

Sister M. John Hayden, 99, of Victoria, died June 30, 2015. She was born May 30, 1916, in San Antonio, TX to the late Robert Joseph Hayden and Emma Caroline Nocker Hayden. She was a member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.

Sister John completed grammar school at St. Leo School and graduated from Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio in 1934. She began her postulancy at Blessed Sacrament Convent in San Antonio on June 18, 1934, received the habit on February 22, 1935 and pronounced first vows on February 23, 1936. She received a BA degree from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio with a major in English and a minor in Spanish.

During her 79 years as a professed member of the congregation, Sister John taught at Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio and ministered as teacher and principal at Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville and Immaculate Conception School in Sealy. When she retired from full-time active teaching in 1986, she assisted in the IWC Gift Shop and helped as supervisor of household duties at the convent. She enjoyed reading, traveling, sewing and gardening. She entered into her Apostolate of Prayer and Suffering in 2004. She joyfully celebrated her 99th birthday with some of her former pupils at a party at Incarnate Word Convent.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Vernon Joseph Hayden and sisters, Sister Jeanne de Matel, IWBS, and Lillian Clark.

Survivors include her nieces and nephews.

Visitation and Scriptural Rosary will be held 3:00 pm, Thursday, July 2, 2015 and a Wake Service with Evening Praise and Sharing of Memories will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Incarnate Word Convent. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 am, Friday, July 3, 2015 at the convent. Burial will be at Catholic Cemetery No. 3.

Pallbearers will be David Smolik, Arlyn Kloesel, Ervin Grafe, Dennis Matula, Glenn Pagel, and Andrew Swoboda.

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.