A funeral Mass for Sister Carla Marie Lusch, SSND, was celebrated Oct. 2 at the Theresa Center chapel. Sister Carla Marie died peacefully Sept. 25 at de Greeff Hospice House at Mercy South Hospital, with family members and School Sisters of Notre Dame friends surrounding her. She was 76.
The second of five children, she was born to Elizabeth (Ruyle) and Rudolph Lusch on Aug. 29, 1949, at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis. She was baptized at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church on Sept. 25, 1949, and named Jean Louise. Three sisters and one brother completed the Lusch family.
As the family grew, they moved to a home in Our Lady of Presentation parish where Jean began her elementary education at the parish grade school. At the end of second grade, the family moved to St. Thomas More parish where she completed her elementary education. She enrolled at Incarnate Word Academy for high school. During her high school years, Jean thought of becoming a religious sister. The family frequently visited her SSND aunt, Sister Rosita Lusch, a member of the former Dallas Province. Inspired by her aunt and her contact with sisters during the family visits, she decided in her senior year to enter SSND.
She entered the candidature at Sancta Maria in Ripa in St. Louis on Aug. 24, 1967. She was received into the novitiate on July 27, 1968. She professed first vows on Jan. 1, 1970, at Ripa and final vows on May 20, 1978, at St. Francis de Sales Church in St. Louis.
Sister Carla Marie received a bachelor’s degree in American studies from the former Notre Dame College in St. Louis in 1971 and a master’s degree in reading education from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1983. For 40 years, she ministered in Catholic education. In Missouri, she taught at St. Peter in Jefferson City, St. Joseph in Farmington and St. Francis de Sales in St. Louis. In Illinois, she taught at St. Anthony in Effingham and St. Peter Cathedral in Belleville. In 1984, she became the principal at Immaculate Conception in Jackson, Missouri. Five years later, she became principal at St. Ambrose in Chaffee, Missouri.
In 1992, she began her ministry in Texas. She was superintendent for the Diocese of Dallas for four years. She then served as the education assistant for the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department in Austin. In 2003, she was named associate superintendent for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, then superintendent.
In 2009, she ministered as the education program coordinator at St. Peter-St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in San Antonio. She then changed ministry careers and became a certified child life specialist, serving at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio until 2022. Having served in Texas for 30 years, she returned to the St. Louis area. She continued her ministry as a certified child life specialist by volunteering at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
Reflecting on this ministry, she said, “My focus is compassion, being able to meet people where they are … openness to receiving each child, each family, whatever their needs are … to accompany that child, accompany that parent.”
In August 2023, she was appointed the community coordinator for the SSND residents at Mother of Perpetual Help Residence in St. Louis. In July 2025, after prayer and discernment following a medical diagnosis, she chose to enter hospice at the de Greeff Hospice House.
Sister Carla Marie is remembered as an excellent educator. She was a generous woman with a compassionate heart. Her gentle and caring ways flowed from a deep reverence and care for others. She witnessed Jesus not only to suffering children and their families but also to the elderly. She had a deep love for her family and remembered them not only in prayer but also in sending cards and greetings for their special occasions.
Sister Carla Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Rudolph Lusch. She is survived by her sisters, Marie (Frank) Schwegel, Carol (Kevin) Vescovo, and Kathy (Dennis) Dailey; her brother, John (Jeanine) Lusch; School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND associates and friends.
Burial was in the Sancta Maria in Ripa Cemetery.
