Sister Roberta Ochs, O.S.B., died on Saturday, August 22, 2015 following a short illness.
She was born on December 17, 1933 in Lucinda, a daughter of of Albert A. and Elizabeth Schmader Ochs. She was baptized, confirmed and educated, in both elementary and high school, at St. Joseph Parish in Lucinda.
Baptized Elsie Ann, Sr. Roberta grew up among six siblings, four sisters and two brothers. She entered religious life in June, 1952 after graduating from high school. She made her first vows in July of 1954, and her final vows in July of 1957. After entering the monastery, Sr. Roberta pursued her studies to become a teacher. After receiving her B.S. in secondary education from Villanova University in 1961, and a Master’s Degree from Duquesne University in 1976, Sr. Roberta taught in both grade school and high school. Her greatest love was teaching music and directing choirs. Through the years her students gifted their parents, fellow parishioners, and the local towns’ people with lively and enjoyable concerts that filled all hearts with joy and happiness.
Sharing her excellent writing, secretarial, and organized skills with and for others, Sr. Roberta served the International Secretariat of the World Apostolate of Fatima in Portugal for seventeen years, hosting groups from around the world as they journeyed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
Elsie is survived by three sisters, Grace White of St. Louis, MO, Ruth (Joseph) Trunk of West Palm Beach, FL and Dorothy Clesi of Oil City, a brother, Thomas (Barbara) Ochs of Jamestown, PA and by a brother-in-law, Joseph Manfrey of Oil City. She is also aunt to eleven nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her stepmother, she was preceded in death by a brother during WWII, Robert Ochs, and a sister, Mildred Manfey.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Sr. Roberta Ochs, O.S.B., will be celebrated at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at St. Marys Church, Church Street, St. Marys, PA with Fr. Daniel Wolfel, O.S.B. and Fr. Alfred Patterson, O.S.B., concelebrants.
Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Monastery Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Wednesday morning from 10:30-11:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Retirement Fund of the Benedictine Sisters of Elk County, c/o St. Joseph Monastery, 303 Church St., St. Marys, PA 15857.
Lynch-Green Funeral Home, 151 N. Michael St., St. Marys, PA 15857 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.LynchGreenFuneralHome.com.
