Sister Carol "RSM" Baetz

1933 - 2024

Sister Carol Baetz, RSM
09/06/1933 - 10/06/2024
Sister Carol died at the age of 91 on October 6, 2024 in Burlingame. She was born Sept. 6, 1933 to Carl and Florence Stinton Baetz in Los Angeles and attended St. Paul's Elementary and Catholic Girls' High School where she met the Sisters of Mercy who taught in the business department. She graduated in 1951 and entered the Sisters of Mercy that year, professing vows in 1954.
Carol earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's in Counseling and Guidance, both at the University of San Francisco.
Sister taught high school business education as well as religion at Bishop Conaty in Los Angeles and Mercy San Francisco from 1954 - 77. Her community called her to serve on the Burlingame Leadership Team from 1977 – 81. She then joined the staff of the House of Prayer in Chatsworth for two years, supporting retreatants in their spiritual growth. For the next 18 years she taught and accompanied immigrants at PUENTE Learning Center in Los Angeles, teaching English and other skills with a special emphasis on helping participants integrate into a new culture. This program was founded by a Sister of the Holy Names and became part of the L.A. Public school system. She also worked in many volunteer projects at a parish, as well as homeless outreach programs.
Her gracious, gentle, prayerful manner was respected and appreciated throughout her life of service. Her motto, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word" speaks of her life of listening and attentiveness to the needs of others.
She is survived by her niece Debra Baetz and other family members, and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy.
Welcoming and vigil service will be held on Thursday, October 17, at 3 pm at Marian Oaks Life Center, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame; and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 18 at 10:30 am at Mercy Convent Chapel (will be livestreamed on https://youtube.com/live/bJkvgHQ22GY?feature=share ) followed by an afternoon burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.