The funeral Mass for Sister Bertha (Mary Austin) Fischer, ASC, was celebrated Sept. 7 in the chapel at Ruma Center in Ruma, Ill. Sister Bertha died Sept. 1 in St. Louis. She was 83 years old and had been a professed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 61 years.
Born in St. Rose, Ill., she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in French, minoring in other languages, that kick-started a lifelong interest and ministry in languages.
She taught French at St. Pius X High School in Festus (1960-73), at Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill. (1973-74) and at Assumption High School in East St. Louis, Ill. (1974-84).
She began Italian studies in 1985 in Rome, in preparation for being a translator for English-speaking Adorers. She served in Rome as a member of the General Council or Leadership Team for the entire congregation from 1987 to 1991. Interrupted by a several-months stay with Adorers in La Paz, Bolivia, and a four-month sabbatical, she returned to Rome to serve as translator from 1992 to 1996, and again from 1999 to 2006. In total, she was in Rome 17 years
Sister Bertha also loved music, and organized liturgical music and sang in the choir at Ruma Center, the Adorers motherhouse. She also sang with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus.
She is survived by her sisters Lidwina Schumacher, Mary Goestenkors, Helen Fiedler, Geraldine Mejia, Agnes Rasure, Irma Gapter, Angela Karban and brothers Joseph Jr. Fischer and Robert Fischer.
