Sister Pauline Bridegroom, PHJC (Sr. Mary Luke), Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, passed away at age 84 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana.
She was born in Leiters Ford, Indiana to Paul Lough and Louise Genevieve Bridegroom (Emge). Her parents preceded her in death, along with her sisters Ann Toole Harrison and Jennifer Emge Bridegroom (Dodie) and niece Terri Vylee Esposita. Sister Pauline is survived by her brother Thomas Bernard Bridegroom, sister-in-law Jan and many nieces and nephews (including greats and great greats!)
Sr. Pauline entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ August 22,1956 and professed her vows July 16, 1959.
She ministered to God’s people in a variety of ways: in education, pastoral care, as hospital chaplain, librarian, clerical assistant. She served at Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago, schools in Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Gary IN and in Germantown IL. She also served at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka and Fort Wayne, McAuley Retirement Center in Farmington Hills MI and John XXIII Retreat Center in Hartford City IN. She retired to Catherine’s Cottage in Donaldson in 2016.
She brought joy to many people through her stories and humor. One of the ways Sr. Pauline brought her playfulness to others was entertaining folks as the clown, ‘Sweet Cheeks.’ We are grateful for Sr. Pauline and all the lives her life touched.
Wake and funeral will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at Ancilla Domini Chapel (All times EST) 9:30-11:00 am. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.
Burial will be in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Donaldson.
For those unable to attend in person, the Wake Service and Mass of Resurrection will be livestreamed at www.poorhandmaids.org/live.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.
Evelyn Maxine Warren says
Pauline and I went to school together and being a small school and small class, we all knew each other very well and had such a good time growing up. I have lived in Phoenix since I was 19, but would attend the Alumni when I could and would get to see Pauline then. I will miss her, but will always remember what a sense of humor she had.
She had a good life and I’m sure she touched many lives in a wonderful way.
Janet Lindvall says
I graduated from high school with Pauline & am sad to hear of her passing. She was always such a joy & loved by everyone who knew her. I have only seen her a few times since school , but her sweet personality never changed
Joan McCune says
Sorry to hear of Pauline passing. She was a great person and a friend to everyone she met. Love to you Tom and all your family.