Sr. Amelia Banet, OSB

Sr. Amelia Banet, OSB, 81 (formerly Mary Jane) died peacefully on October 17, 2010. Sr. Amelia was born to the late Irvin and Mildred (Libs) Banet on November 2, 1928 in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. Sr. Amelia entered the Benedictine community at Monastery Immaculate Conception, Ferdinand, Indiana, in 1945 and made her monastic profession in 1947. Sr. Amelia was a founding member of the community at Our Lady of Grace Monastery. She graduated from Academy Immaculate Conception and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Benedict College both in Ferdinand, Indiana. Sister received her Master’s Degree in Education from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sr. Amelia was in active ministry for 61 years. She began her career as an educator at Christ the King School in Evansville, Indiana. She also taught at St. Paul, Tell City; St. Michael, Cannelton, St. Pius X, Indianapolis; and St. Anthony, Clarksville all in Indiana. After leaving the classroom, Sr. Amelia worked as the assistant to the bookkeeper at St. Paul Hermitage and was the Sacristan at the Monastery. Sr. Amelia is survived by her sister, Anna Lee Skaggs (Kenny)of New Albany, Indiana; step-sister Sharon Gettelfinger (Kenneth) of Portland, Oregon and step-brother Larry Zahn (Joyce) of Floyds Knobs, Indiana. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a wake service at 7:00 PM. The funeral will be Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 4:00 PM with visitation beginning at 2:00 PM until the funeral. All services will take place in the Our Lady of Grace Monastery chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Retired Sister’s Fund, c/o Our Lady of Grace Monastery, 1402 Southern Avenue, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107.