Sister Celine Hendley
Sister Celine Hendley
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Celine Hendley Obituary
Celine Hendley, O.S.B.
Sister Celine Hendley, O.S.B. died on June 14, 2008. Born in Clarendon, Virginia on March 27, 1911, Sister Celine became a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia in 1929. From 1931 until 1984, Sister Celine was a teacher and principal in several schools throughout Virginia, including St. Charles and Linton Hall in the Diocese of Arlington and St. Benedict, Sacred Heart, St. Rose of Lima and Saint Gertrude High School in the Diocese of Richmond. After retiring from teaching, Sister Celine visited the sick and elderly in the parish of St. Timothy's in Chantilly and in the Manassas area.
She had the distinction of being the oldest member of the Benedictine Sisters community for several years.
Sister Celine is survived by her sister, Avis Brown, several nieces and their families, and the 32 members of her Benedictine community.
All services will take place at Saint Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, Virginia. Viewing will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednes-day, June 18 with a Vigil Service being held Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. The funeral will be celebrated on Thursday, June 19 at 11 a.m. with burial in the sisters' cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the scholar-ship fund of Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond, Virginia where Sister Celine taught for many years. (Saint Gertrude High School, 3215 Stuart Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221.)
(contact person: Sister Cecilia Dwyer, O.S.B. 703-368-4848)
This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).
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Mary Theresa (Roberson) Lee
June 24, 2008
Sr. Celine was my french teacher at St. Gertrude and faculty sponsor for our SGHS newspaper. She clearly loved teaching and was very devoted to us. I will cherish my memories of her. My heart goes out to all the Sisters and her family. She will be missed by many.
Elizabeth Ganley
June 21, 2008
Sister Celine was my first grade teacher in 1945 at St. Charles School in Arlington, Va. and we all loved her dearly.
She had such a huge responsibility with two classes of 1st graders...one in the morning and one in the afternoon as there were so many children of personnel coming to the Washington area that there had to be two split day classes.
She was a lovely person.
Elizabeth Ganley
June 21, 2008
Sister Celine was my first grade teacher at St. Charles School in Arlington, VA. in 1945. She was wonderful and I remember her fondly.
I don't know how in the world she did teach us as it was the war years and there were so many children that we had two shifts of classes in order to accommodate all the children of families coming to Washington.
She was a neat lady.
Mayra Stafford
June 19, 2008
Sister Celine will be missed by all whose lives she touched. I have many fond memories of Sister Celine and the French language. All my prayers are with her family and the Benedictine Community.
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Alice Crowder
June 19, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the entire community of sisters at Bristow. I know what a treasure Sr. Celine was with her sharp mind and delightful wit. She will certainly be missed by all.
Michael Graves
June 17, 2008
Sister Celine, also known to me as Aunt Lilian, was my mother's, father's, sister... my great aunt. I only had the chance to get to know her in these last few years. Two summers ago my daughter Emily and I made a good visit to her home in Virginia. I was inspired by her overwhelming desire to be of service to others, especially at her age. My daughter and I will always carry a very special memory of her with us. We will miss Sister Celine very much.
Mary La Fratta St. Gertrude 1979
June 17, 2008
Merci Sister Celine for eveything!
John Brown
June 17, 2008
I have very fond memories of Sister Celine and her wonderful handcrafted gifts we would receive on special occasions. I'm sure her prayers helped me through some difficult times in my life.
I was blessed to have her as an aunt and my thoughts and prayers will always include her throughout the rest of my life.
Richard Ward
June 17, 2008
Sister Celine was my mother, Martha Ward's, aunt. I wanted to take this time to say how very much my children John (9) and Leah Mei (5) loved her - as we did. She was always gracious, funny and especially courageous. I loved her e-mails sent in 72pt font! She will be missed but we know God has her in a much better place!
Richard, Debbie, John and Leah Mei Ward
Jerry Brown
June 17, 2008
We will all miss Sister Celine. My family always looked forward to seeing her when she visited the Outer banks and came by to see my Mom, her surviving sister. She often had other Sisters accompanying her and several of them had taught me at St. Charles in Arlington. Fortunately the Sisters were kind enough not to relate too many stories of my escapades in school. My daughters loved to talk with Sister Celine because she could relate so well with them through all of their different ages. She was always sharp as a tack.
As my Mom said, "We now have another friend in heaven."
Her Nephew
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