Joan Rake

RAKE
Sister Joan Michele Rake, CDP, entered eternal life December 19 at the age of 87. Born in Beaumont, Texas to Mary M. Sperier and Edwin Richard Rake on July 2, 1925, she was named Gloria Ann at baptism. As a graduate of Fannett High School, Gloria won a scholarship to Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio. On September 8, 1945, she entered the Congregation of Divine Providence and professed first vows as a Sister June 21, 1947. Finding her 65 years of ministry rewarding, she observed, "Teaching, formation ministry, giving retreats and 24 years of counseling and spiritual direction have allowed me to try to help others experience God's Providential love and care." Earning degrees from Our Lady of the Lake College and Indiana's Notre Dame and Pennsylvania's Duquesne Universities, she taught at St. Genevieve School in Lafayette, Louisiana, and at St. Mary's Parochial and Providence High Schools in San Antonio. She also taught at Duquesne University and in the Corpus Christi Diocesan Diaconate Program. From 1953 through 1965 Sister Joan Michele served in the formation ministry of her Congregation as Directress of Aspirants and later of Novices. In 1980 she moved to Corpus Christi, where she offered retreats, spiritual direction, and pastoral counseling primarily at the Diocesan Center (later Father Magsam Center) for Spiritual Direction. During 2002-03, she ministered at the Delos Mind-Body Institute in that city. She returned to Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center in 2003, where she continued to counsel and offer other community service. Sister Joan Michele is survived by her nieces Madonna and Michelle Rake and by grandnephews Codi and Cori Leger and Tyler Minton. Preceding her in death are her parents; her sister, Mary Melva Rake; and her brothers, Adam Frederick and Edwin Leon Rake. The Rosary will be recited Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 4:30 p.m., and the Wake will be at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be offered Friday, December 21, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. All services will be held in Annunciation Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of Divine Providence, 515 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, TX 78207-4619. Arrangements by: