News and Events: Sister Mary Hils

Sister Mary Hils was one of those sisters who worked in the background all her life.  She was one of the sisters who joined Mother Ellen in founding the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.  She never wanted to stand out or be in the limelight.  She only wanted to do God's will.

She was born in Newport, Ky. She entered religious life as a Sister of Charity of Nazareth in 1927 at the age of 18.  After completing her novitiate, she was assigned to work in various convents as a housekeeper.  In the early 1930's she was in charge of the Dormitory in the Orphanages run by the community at that time.

She joined Mother Ellen in forming the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in 1973.  She wrote "I knew that God was asking or telling me to do this in His own way. Since I had never to my knowledge refused Him anything down through all the years so now I had to do not my will but yours. No matter what. " 

Sister was known for her outspoken ways.  There was rarely a doubt as to what sister thought about any situation.  She would make sure her opinions were heard.  She was also very talented at embroidery.  She was able to take a small picture and, using graph paper, enlarge it by hand. She would then make a beautiful cross stitch picture from her pattern. 

When her health failed, she retired at Taylor Manor.  She spent her time praying, reading and working on her cross stitch patterns.  From her earliest days, even when she was in good health, Sister expressed the desire to die on a first Saturday in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  God heard her pray.  She passed away on June 2, 2001.  It was the first Saturday in June.