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Sr. Mary Laurence Budde Obituary
BUDDE
Sr. Mary Laurence, SND, age 84, passed July 30, 2013, Park Hills. Sister Mary Laurence was born May 17, 1929 in Covington, KY. Ruth was the third of seven children born to Lawrence and Anna Budde. The family lived in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky and Ruth attended St. Thomas Elementary School. After the eighth grade, she went to Notre Dame Academy in Covington. There she became acquainted with the Sisters of Notre Dame and entered the convent in her senior year. She professed her vows August 10, 1949. Sister Mary Laurence received her B.A. from Villa Madonna College in 1953, an M.S. in 1955, and her Ph.D. in 1958 from the Catholic University of America. That year she began teaching at VMC/Thomas More College in the Biology Department where she was engaged for over 40 years. Sister was the recipient of several national science foundation grants. She received numerous awards including the A.D. Albright Award and the Sears-Roebuck "Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award." In 1981 she was appointed Dean of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs, serving in that position until 1985. She retired in 1997 and was named Professor Emerita in Biology that same year. Sister Mary Laurence's ministry was teaching, and as an educator she touched many lives. Many professionals in the area, as well as throughout the nation, will know Sister Mary Laurence as an outstanding professor of Biology at Thomas More College. Another of Sister Mary Laurence's accomplishments was the establishment of a biology station on the Ohio River for monitoring water content and for research. In October 2011 the College named the outdoor classroom at the Biology Field Station in her honor. Sister was chosen as one of the "Women Making a Difference" (2004) by Notre Dame Academy. She has also been actively involved in her religious community and has served in leadership positions at various times. Preceding her in death were her brother Herbert (Huck) and her sister, Betsy DuVal. She is survived by her brother, Paul, and sisters Jeanne Staubach and Rita Mae Fagin. The Memorial Service will be held Friday Morning, August 2, 2013, with Wake Service at 10:00 am and Mass at 11:00 am at The Provincial House Chapel, St. Joseph Heights. Middendorf Funeral Home, Ft. Wright are handling the arrangements. Memorials are requested to The Sisters of Notre Dame, 1601 Dixie Highway, Park Hills, KY 41011-2701
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Memories and Condolences
for Sr. Mary Laurence Budde
October 24, 2013
Thank you Sister Laurence for sending me one my way. Its amazing to think of all the others whom you sent on their way to be doctors and scientists. Gods work for certain.
Diana and Jason Bley
August 5, 2013
Sister Laurence was a mentor and a friend. She spent holidays with my family, she was part of our wedding ceremony, held Bible study with us and was a great influence. We loved her and will miss her.
Michael Townley
August 2, 2013
Sister Laurence Budde was a true Thomas More Rebel. She had a beautiful heart, and a loving independent open mind. As a student at Thomas More College, I remember that she would always be willing to listen to the students. She was one who could laugh at herself and one who could share laughs with faculty and students while still being serious about education.
What was extremely interesting was her ability to actually listen and care. This lady was a true spiritual caring Leader at Thomas More College. She was a great Dean of Faculty, great teacher, and was simply open to all the changes during the late 1970's and 1980's. I can still see her walking down the halls at Thomas More College and talking to her friends, and students. She was always stopping at Professor Berger's office to see his latest collection of flying nun pictures, and humerous pictures of nuns on his office door and walls. This was a lady with a great heart, What a Gal!
Anthony Ret MD
August 1, 2013
She was a wonderful mentor and follower of Christ who touched many.
Matt Mattingly
July 31, 2013
A true privilege knowing Big Larry. Heart of gold. Could never count how many cups of coffee we shared. Will be sadly missed.
July 31, 2013
It was a great privilege to know and love a person the like of a most generous and kind Sr. Laurence, my teacher, mentor and friend.
Imogene Enzweiler BBHS '55
Rose Hatmaker
July 31, 2013
I am so sad to hear of Sister's passing. She had such a great sense of humor and one of the sweetest people I have ever known. When I think of her I think of Jean Pike and the friendship they shared. She will be truly missed by many.
Pat Ponte
July 31, 2013
Sr. Laurence was one of the most humorous nuns and was so much fun to be around. Loved playing cards. We will miss you Sister.
Susan Bucher
July 31, 2013
Sister Mary Laurence was an amazing teacher who became a dear friend to me and my family. Through the years we had many wonderful visits and conversations. I truly treasure our friendship. I will miss Sister and will think of her often, with the hope of seeing her again at the TMC reunion in heaven, as mentioned in a beautiful post here in this Guest Book.
Teresa Humphreys
July 31, 2013
I have known Sr. Laurence since I was 2 years old. She was a mentor, a friend and a member of my family for my entire memory of life. She was my professor at TMC and always had the answer to my Biology questions! Sr. Laurence and my Dad taught together at TMC their entire teaching careers. I remember the TMC faculity Christmas parties, picnics and parites at our house. I am happy that Dad has Sr. Laurence with him as well as Bill Volker in that great teaching/biology lab in the sky! Some day there will be a Biology TMC reunion with all of us in a place where there is only happiness and love. And of course we will all have the true answers to our questions.
July 31, 2013
Sr. Laurence came into my life when I was only 2 years old. She has been a mentor, friend and really part of my family. She and my Dad taught together at TMC their entire careers. She was my teacher in life and at TMC. I love her dearly and will miss her forever. I am happy that Dad has company in heaven with Bill Volker and now Sr Laurence. Until we meet again at the great TMC reunion where there will be only happiness and love.
Sue Stapleton Kuhnell
July 31, 2013
In 1958, when I was a freshman at VMC, Sister Laurence taught Biology. I happened to be one of the fortunate members of that class. My biggest surprise was one day when she asked me to see her after class and announced to me that she had been my babysitter when I was very young. What a great lady and what a great loss! My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Nancy Meyers SND Assoc.
July 31, 2013
Sister was so interesting to chat with and what a sense of humor she had. She will be missed by so many, both religious and lay people.
Maureen Bensman
July 31, 2013
Sr. Laurence had great impact on me and my experience while at Thomas More College. I have always had great admiration for her.
Sr. Emerita McGann,CDP
July 31, 2013
The announcement of the death of a very real friend and mentor has touched me deeply. Sr.Lawrence was a "giant" in my eyes: tall, upright, and stable. A woman of deep faith, strong convictions, and unquestionable loyalty, she did not flinch from responsibility.
I am in Europe and not able to attend the funeral, but I will be united in prayer and spirit with the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Budde Family, and the many friends who were privileged to know and love this faithful woman.
in sympathy,
Sr. Emerita McGann,CDP
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