Sister Mary Felicitas Supple, SNJM

Elizabeth Mary Supple

February 1, 1916–August 19, 2011 (Los Gatos, CA)

Elizabeth Mary Supple was born on February 1, 1916, in South Pasadena, California, to Catherine Donovan and William J. Supple. She was the eldest of four children. Her two sisters died in their youth. Her brother Billy, with whom Elizabeth was very close, suffered from a terminal illness and died shortly after Elizabeth left her home to enter the Community.

Elizabeth attended Holy Family Elementary School in South Pasadena and Saint Andrew High School in Pasadena, California, where she met the Sisters of the Holy Names.

Elizabeth Mary entered the Novitiate of the Holy Names in Oakland on July 26, 1935, and professed her first vows on August 5, 1937, when she received the name of Sister Mary Felicitas.

Sister Felicitas shared that her first introduction to God was when she was three years old and she saw in her grandmother’s bedroom a picture of the Good Shepherd with a lamb in his arms. She treasured that image of God throughout her life. She spoke often about her relationship with Jesus.

In 1937 Sister Felicitas began her teaching career at Saint Augustine School in Oakland. Following two years there, she was assigned to teach in various elementary schools: Saint Clement in Ocean Park, Saint Monica in San Francisco, Academy of the Holy Names in Pomona, Saint Stephen in Monterey Park, Saint Monica in Venice, Saint Elizabeth in Altadena, Saint Gerard Majella in Los Angeles, Ramona Convent in Alhambra and Saint Francis de Sales in Oakland. She also served as principal of Holy Spirit School in Fremont and Saint Mark School in Venice.

Looking back over the years, Sister Felicitas said that her most valuable teaching experience occurred toward the end of her career at the Oakland Cathedral School, where students were predominately Afro-American. Bishop Cummins described this experience as “the revival with Holy Names leadership of what began to be called ‘the inner city’”. Here Sister Felicitas witnessed miracles, as young people who came from situations of poverty and violence, were able to gradually respond to teachers who invited them to the challenge of realizing their full potential as human beings. “What a joy”, she said, “to see these youngsters grow, with many of them going on to college and universities and then into lives of service to others.”

In between and during her teaching years, Sister Felicitas attended college classes, obtaining a BA with a major in Education and minor in Spanish from Holy Names College. In 1963 she earned a MA in Special Education from San Francisco State University.

Following her 36 years as teacher and/or administrator in elementary education, Sister Felicitas received training in Personality and Human Relations (PRH) from Sister Maureen MacAlduff of the Manitoba Province. She became an animator and worked with senior citizens in this program. This opportunity changed her life and the lives of those with whom she worked. The years she spent in this ministry were very enriching and rewarding, and the experience greatly influenced her own spirituality.

From 1974 to 1985, Sister adventured into other challenging ministries. At the Agnews State Hospital, she was assistant to the chaplain, Father Tom Byrne, S.J., brother of Sister Antonia Marie and Sister Margheretta Marie. Sister Felicitas said that her work with the developmentally disabled “touched most deeply the compassion within me”. She was filled with admiration for these individuals, their simplicity and honesty and the courageous way they worked even with their handicaps. Sister Felicitas was inspired by Father Byrne’s dedication to all the people with whom he came in contact.

Sister also ministered at the San Jose County Prison where she worked with the women prisoners, providing counseling, encouragement and shared prayer.

For the next three years (1985-88), Sister Felicitas served as Director of Villa Maria del Mar Retreat House in Santa Cruz. She referred to these three years as meaningful and enlightening and the happiest of her community years. It was a joy to witness the transformation of the visitors who were positively affected by the peace and beauty of Santa Cruz and the encouragement and hospitality provided by the Sisters and staff.

In September of 1988, Sister Felicitas traveled to Albany in the New York Province, where she spent a year of renewal and provided support services at the provincial office. When asked about her experience in New York, Sister Felicitas said, “I am most impressed with the variety of works Sisters are involved with in this province and their warmth in receiving me. I enjoy being able to meet and know so many new Sisters of the Community. I feel much more aware of our charism because of the similarities of our two provinces. It is a privilege for me to be here and be so much a part of your lives.” During this year Sister took many side trips and enjoyed seeing the sights in other states.

Following the journey to New York, Sister retired to Los Gatos. “Feliss” as she was lovingly called, had a nickname for everyone…and that was either “kid” or “honey”! During her years in Los Gatos, she enjoyed her room and arranged the furniture in order to view the beauty of the grounds outside her 3rd floor window. She loved things of beauty and elegant simplicity, including arranging flowers, especially her favorite sunflowers. While she treasured quiet peace, she also treasured her many friends and would invite them to join her for celebrations, dinner and wonderful conversation. She loved to reminisce about the happy times of her ministries and about her many friendships. She made new friends everyplace she visited and kept up correspondence with them. Among the items found after her death were
shoeboxes filled with letters dating back to the 1950’s. Feliss had the letters sorted by year, neatly wrapped and tied in stacks.

One of her long time friends was Bishop John Cummins who was a student in the eighth grade when Sister taught at St. Augustine School in Oakland. Through all her years, Sister kept in touch with Bishop and his family. A few weeks before Sister’s death, Bishop came down from Oakland and the two had a wonderful visit. As Bishop John expressed in his homily, “I found her with a gift larger than resignation. It was more than acceptance. Perhaps serenity would identify the mood as she was looking to the last of her days in that ‘room with a view’”. Two other close friends were Angie Furtado and Lorraine Green. Sister Felicitas befriended Angie who worked as a cook at Holy Spirit Parish in Fremont. In later years, Angie lived with the Sisters in Los Gatos until her death. Lorraine lives in Oregon, but made frequent trips to visit Sister and was present for her funeral.

Sister Felicitas had a “get up and go” philosophy. She loved trips…short or long…and always managed to have a side trip planned either to see a special site or visit friends. Her sister companions soon learned to be prepared for these extra adventures.

While at Los Gatos, Sister Felicitas celebrated her Diamond Jubilee on April 26, 1997, and her Jubilee of Grace (70 years) on June 10, 2007.

Sister Dorothy Nolan described Sister Felicitas in the Relections at the Mass of Resurrection as…”one beautiful and unique person who was among us and with us and who added to the light of our Community and to the Reign of God in our world.”

As Sister began to decline she was provided Hospice Care. She went home peacefully to God at 1:50 a.m. on August 19, 2011 in the Care Center at Los Gatos. Sister celebrated 95 years of life and 74 years of her religious profession.

The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on August 24, 2011 at 7:15 p.m. in Convent of the Holy Names Chapel. Most Reverend John Cummins was celebrant and homilist. Bishop’s homily was a beautiful tribute to his long-time friend. “Poised and mature” were the words he used to describe Sister’s life as a teacher, administrator and community member. At the entrance Sister Jean Cather sprinkled Sister Felicitas’ cremains with holy water. Sister Mary O’Brien proclaimed the first reading (Zephaniah 3:17-20) and Sister Joan Doyle offered the General Intercessions. Sister Dorothy Nolan gave Reflections on the Life of Sister Mary Felicitas and Sister Mary Becker gave the Final Commendation. How appropriate that the sending forth song was “When the Saints Go Marching In”! It is easy to visualize Feliss singing and dancing her way into the heavenly abode to take her place among the saints.

Following Mass, a reception was held in the Convent dining room.

Sister Mary Felicitas was buried at 10:15 a.m. on August 25, 2011, at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Hayward, California. Sister Marguerite Kirk presided.