Sister M. Catherine Labouré Busam, OSF

By Sister Mary Thill, OSF

Sister M. Catherine Labouré Busam died at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio on December 8, 2024. The daughter of Roland and Lucy Busam came to the convent in Sylvania from the SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Sandusky, Ohio after graduating St. Mary’s High School in 1961.  She made her First Profession of Vows in 1964 and her Final Vows in 1969.

In her 60 years in the convent Sister Catherine shared her many talents first as an educator and later ministering in spirituality and spiritual direction. When she was able, she volunteered at Rosary Care Center.  As an educator she taught at elementary schools in Minnesota and Ohio. With her friend and mentor, Sister Felicia, she co-founded St. Francis Education Center on the Motherhouse campus in Sylvania.  Sister Catherine’s training in Montessori Education highly influenced the curriculum and the atmosphere of the school.

She shared her considerable knowledge about early childhood education as an instructor and faculty member at the college level including Lourdes College, Scott County in Gate City, Virginia and Mt. Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.  While continuing to teach part-time, Sister Catherine was part of Nazareth House of Prayer in Gate City where she continued to live out a life devoted to spirituality, prayer and spiritual direction. When she returned to Sylvania, she became a core member of Trinity House of Prayer. Sister worked in pastoral care among the Sisters residing at Rosary Care Center, and was known to be willing to do whatever was asked of her as a volunteer

Sister Catherine was an accomplished seamstress. Her special love for cats was well-known. She considered them a special gift from God and they gave her much joy.  Sister Catherine will be missed by the Sisters in her community, her family and friends and the many people whose lives she touched in her 81 years of life. Rest in peace, dear Sister.

Sister Catherine is survived by her brother John (Vicky) and three nephews David (Natasha), Michael (Nancy) and Tom (Kes).

Visitation for Sister Catherine Laboure will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel. The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, in the Chapel. The funeral will be live-streamed here.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio.  Arrangements by the Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo, Ohio.