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funeral Mass for Sister Mary Lou Roussin was celebrated May 11 at Assumption Parish in O’Fallon. Sister Mary Lou, a Sister of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, died May 6 in St. Louis at age 98.
Born on May 1, 1923, Sister Mary Lou was the first of the four children of Harry and Marie (Zieter) Roussin. She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in 1942 and professed first vows on Aug. 10, 1944, receiving the name Sister Rosella.
Sister Mary Lou earned a bachelor of science and a master of arts degree in geography at Saint Louis University. In addition, she completed a bachelor of arts in liturgical music at St. Joseph’s College in Collegeville, Indiana.
Sister Mary Lou’s love of geography inspired students in Missouri at St. Paul in St. Paul; Assumption in Mattese; Sts. Philip and James in River Aux Vases; St. Paul in Fenton; St. Patrick in Wentzville; Holy Rosary in Warrenton; St. Alphonsus in Millwood; St. Sabina in Florissant; St. Agnes in Bloomsdale; Holy Family and St. Monica, both in St. Louis; and St. Mary’s College in O’Fallon.
Outside of Missouri, she taught in Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. After 39 years of teaching, she worked as office manager and chiropractic assistant to Dr. Larry Link. In retirement, she chauffeured the sisters at St. Elizabeth Academy, taught religious education at St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church and served as eucharistic minister at St. Elizabeth Adult Day Care Center. In 2010, she returned to O’Fallon where she served in the ministry of prayer and presence.
Burial was in the convent cemetery.
