Sister Audrey Hemsath, a Sister of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, died June 3. She was 84 years old. A private burial was in the convent cemetery on June 10, with a memorial Mass to be held at a later date.
She was baptized at St. Peter Parish in St. Charles, on Nov. 24, 1935 and was taught by the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood at St. Joseph Parish in Cottleville.
Audrey married Kenneth Hemsath on Aug. 29, 1953 and together they had seven children. Just a few days before their 26th wedding anniversary in 1979, Ken died of a heart attack. She was a devoted wife and mother who cared deeply for her children. She also was an accomplished seamstress, sewing everything from bed sheets to dresses for her daughters.
As a young girl, Audrey had considered the possibility of religious life, but after meeting Ken, she chose marriage. Following her husband’s death, the thought of a religious vocation returned. After much prayer and discernment, she entered the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood on Nov. 1, 1986 and professed her first vows on Nov. 22, 1987. Sister Audrey put her sewing skills to good use, serving in the community’s Ecclesiastical Art Department until her retirement in 2014.
Sister Audrey is survived by four daughters and three sons, Patricia Montgomery, Catherine Tuttle, Michael Hemsath, Rose Bakula, Morris Hemsath, Debra Montalbano and Paul Hemsath; 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
She also is survived by four sisters, Virginia Morgan, Grace Morgan, Louise Sjurseth and Margie Walker; and five brothers, Glennon Gillette, Milton Gillette, Clifton Gillette, Jr., Donald Gillette and Jerry Gillette.
