HURTER – Sr. Emily (Barbara), died peacefully on Friday, September 21, 2007 at age 100, fulfilling 81 years as a Benedictine Sister. Born in 1907, in Ochiltree County in the Texas panhandle to Maud and John Hurter, Sr. Emily was the fifth of ten children. She graduated from high school in Perryton, TX and attended college at Catholic College of Oklahoma, operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Sr. Emily entered St. Joseph Monastery in Guthrie on March 19, 1926 along with her sister, Vivian (Sr. Bernadette). Eventually, two younger sisters also joined the community in Guthrie, Marie (Sr. Isabelle) and Elizabeth (Sr. Mary Ellen).
Sr. Emily began a 55 year teaching career in 1928. She taught at St. Francis School in Tulsa, St. John’s School in McAlester, Marquette School in Tulsa, St. Joseph Orphanage in Bethany, St. Michael’s School in Henryetta and Monte Cassino School in Tulsa. She was an excellent math teacher and also served as principal. She served her community in a variety of capacities, most notably by her wise counsel, her devotion to Benedictine life and her dedication to prayer.
In February 2007, Sr. Emily’s family joined her community in celebrating Sr. Emily’s 100th birthday. Many friends and former students joined in this celebration. The Benedictine Sisters want to acknowledge the tremendous devotion of Sr. Emily’s many nieces and nephews who survive her.
A Rosary Vigil will be held 7 p.m., Monday, September 24, with the Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, September 25, at 10:30 a.m. Both services will be held at the Marian Chapel, St. Joseph Monastery, 2200 S. Lewis Ave. A special word of thanks to the health care staff of St. Joseph Monastery, for their loving dedication to Sr. Emily, to Dr. David Griffiths for his years of compassionate care of Sr. Emily and to the staff of St. John’s ICU for their kindness and sympathy.
