Sr. Immaculata Houtman OSB

Four days after marking the milestone of her 93rd birthday, Sr. Immaculata Houtman (nee Frances Elizabeth) died peacefully on Dec. 1, 2013 at St. Gertrude Monastery, Ridgley, MD. Sister Immaculata was the eldest of the ten children born to Frank and Marietta Jones Houtman. She was raised in Clayton, DE and graduated from John Bassett Moore High School, Smyrna, DE in 1938. In 1940 she entered the Benedictine Sisters of Ridgely, MD and professed her perpetual vows there in 1945. Sister had a long and fruitful ministry in education. She taught business at St. Elizabeth High School in Wilmington for many years where she also served as Vice Principal and Perfect of Studies. Her students were often sought after by large companies such as Hercules and DuPont. In addition to St. Elizabeth’s, she was also the librarian of St. Mark’s High in Newark and taught at the elementary level at St. Catherine of Siena and Our Lady of Fatima Schools in Wilmington and New Castle respectively. After thirty years as an educator, she moved back to Ridgely where she made many contributions to the welfare of the community in her roles as treasurer, archivist, Oblate Directress, sacristan and editor of the community newsletter. She was also an avid gardener, and the Sisters enjoyed many of her fruits and vegetables over the years. She loved words and was quite proficient in solving crossword puzzles and winning Scrabble. Her other hobbies included reading and producing flower arrangements. Sister earned a B.A. from Villanova University, an M.A. from the Catholic University of America and the 36 credits needed from the Un of Delaware to be accredited in Library Science for the State of Delaware. Predeceased in death by her parents and her sister, Peggy, Sister leaves the following siblings to morn her loss: Catherine McMillan of Smyrna, William (Patricia) of Wilmington, Joseph (Angie) of Bridgeville, DE, Frank of Carlisle, PA, Mary Esther Nored (Robert) of Moyers, OK, Faith Ahuja (Sut) of Calabash, NC, John (Anne) of Wilmington, Sr. Jane Frances, DHS, of West Grove, PA and David (Debbie) of Newark, DE. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and her Benedictine Sisters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Gertrude Monastery on Wed., Dec. 4, at 10:00 A.M. with a visitation from 9:00 to 10:00 AM prior to the service. Burial will follow the service in the community cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Benedictine Sisters, 14259 Benedictine Lane, Ridgely, MD 21660.

Sr. Immaculata Houtman OSB

November 27, 1920 - December 1, 2013