Sr. Lois Petersen, Osu

Sister Lois Petersen (formerly Sister Marie Colette) loved her life and service as a vowed religious and cherished her large family — including her sister Joan, also an Ursuline – and her many friends. Throughout her 68 years as an Ursuline, Sister Lois served as a teacher, administrator, avid gardener, and minister of prayer. The woman of boundless energy and creativity died May 11 at Regina Health Center in Richfield where she had been a resident since August 2013. She was 87.

Lois Marie Petersen was born December 13, 1928, in Cleveland, one of eight children born to Harold and Coletta (Coleman) Petersen. The Beaumont School graduate entered the Ursuline Sisters from St. Gregory the Great Parish in 1947 and professed final vows in 1953. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the old St. John College.

Younger sister, Joan, followed her to the community four years later. The two were sisters and best friends, constant supports to each other in good and challenging times.

Sister Lois began her ministry career as an elementary school teacher at Holy Cross School (Euclid), and continued shaping minds and characters with tenures at Immaculate Conception (Willoughby) and Immaculate Conception (Cleveland). She assumed principal duties at Christ the King School (East Cleveland) and then at St. Robert Bellarmine School (Euclid). Following year-long teaching assignments at St. Clare School (Lyndhurst) and St. John Bosco School (Parma Heights), she resumed administrative duties as principal at St. Joseph School (Collinwood) and St. Ann School (Cleveland Heights).

Even after retiring from classroom education, Sister Lois maintained a strong commitment to education. She served as librarian at Urban Community School and Beaumont School, and later was a founder and director of the Ursuline Institute of Learning, the congregation’s tutoring ministry. For the past several years, as her health declined, Sister Lois continued to minister in prayer and service within the community.

Her passion for gardening was evident wherever she served. A lasting legacy is the beautiful courtyard garden in the former Saint Angela Center, which today is tended by a corps of volunteers who continue the work in tribute to Sister Lois.

While service gave meaning to Sister Lois’ life, relationships animated her spirit. She maintained connection with friends of long-standing and rarely missed an opportunity to gather with family, especially her four sisters. Sister Lois lived in deep gratitude for the treasures she found in her family and friends, and in being an Ursuline. She was a faith-filled religious, a dedicated educator and leader, and a loving sister, aunt and friend.

In addition to Sister Joan, Sister Lois is survived by sisters Mary Lou Lawless (James), Faye Hollis (John, deceased), and Rene Mooney (Larry), and more than 100 nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Brothers Richard, James and William preceded her in death.

Donations in her name may be made to the Ursuline Sisters.

Funeral Arrangements for Sister Lois Petersen

Wake: 3:00 PM, Monday, May 16

Funeral Mass: 7:00 PM Monday

Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity (Motherhouse)

Burial Service: 9:30 AM Tuesday, May 17

Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity (Motherhouse)

Interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon.

ARRANGEMENTS BY DEJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID