Mother McAuley Community Mourns Loss of Beloved, Longtime Sister of Mercy

Mother McAuley High School alumnae most likely can still picture it: the “Vince-mobile” parked in the hallway, with the well-known Sister of Mercy behind the wheel.

The “no-nonsense” Sister Mary Vincent Schafer policed the hallways of her beloved school, know for her dedication to the building’s upkeep and her devotion to her calling. Sister Vincent was a Sister of Mercy for 65 years and worked at Mother McAuley as Building Manager for 27 years (March 1978 through June 2005).

Sr. Vincent died Friday, Sept. 19.

“We’re deeply saddened as a community, and are grateful for all her years of service,” said President Mary Acker Klingenberger. “So many students and faculty had the opportunity to work closely with her and admire her. We are grateful for all that she did.”

Her influence is most noticeable in the building’s management and well-kept grounds, Klingenberger said.

“She really was forward-thinking on the maintenance and preservation of the building,” she noted. “No one would ever believe that it was built in the ‘50s.”

Visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m., in the wake room at Mercy Circle. A Mass will follow at 7 p.m. Burial will be Friday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m., at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 W. 111th St.