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 Bertha
Golla, born October 13, 1906 in Waukegan,
Illinois, archdiocese of Chicago, was the daughter
of Julius and Elizabeth (Rotta) Golla and one of
eight children. She entered the Congregation
September 1, 1936, was received into the novitiate
August 12, 1937 and given the name Mary Samuel. On
August 13, 1938, Sister Mary Samuel made
profession of First Vows and Final Vows on August
13, 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Before entering the convent, Sister attended vocational
school, studying cooking, sewing, art and chorus. While attending school, she
also worked at St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee doing domestic work. It was at
this time that one of the Daughters of Charity who staffed St. Mary’s gave
Sister Mary Samuel a copy of The Savior’s Call. “Later, this Daughter
was blamed for my joining the Salvatorians and not their Order,” said Sister
Mary Samuel in her oral history.
Through her years of apostolic service, as a cook, Sister
Mary Samuel was in several communities beginning in the provincial house in
Milwaukee and then on to the seminary at St. Nazianz where she said, “they
were long hours and little pay, but I enjoyed the work, knowing I was doing my
little share for the Savior and keeping soul and body together.” In succeeding
years, Sister Mary Samuel served at St. Mary’s Hospital and Holy Name School,
Wausau, Divine Savior and Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, Milwaukee and
Divine Savior Seminary, Lanham, Maryland. She also served as cook for our
elderly sisters in Sacred Heart’s Convent, Franklin, Wisconsin before retiring
to Salvatorian Heights in 1979.
During her years on the St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus,
she was extremely interested in the newspapers and current events, especially in
the Church. One of her great joys was to have someone take her outside to the
park where she could see the ducks. Sister Mary Samuel had a beautiful
combination of a contemplative heart joined to a delightful sense of humor, a
love for nature and a desire to read. For health reasons, Sister Mary Samuel
entered St. Mary’s Nursing Home in 2000 and when it closed, went to St.
Anne’s Home on the St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus in January 2002.
Toward the end of May 2005, Sister Mary Samuel’s health
began to decline so she was placed on palliative care. She continued to be alert and responsive with humor, always
expressing gratitude and contentment until the last two days when she could no
longer speak. Sisters and family
kept vigil at her bedside, accompanying her with prayer and song until early
evening, June 29th, feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, when she peacefully
went home to God. She was 98 years
old and professed for 66 years.
She is survived by nieces and nephews and grandnieces and
nephews. She was preceded in death
by her parents Julius and Elizabeth, her brothers Joseph (name unknown), Michael
(Elizabeth), Anthony (Bertha), Alex (Shirley) and Julius (Eleanor) and a brother
and sister (twins) who died in infancy.
May our much-loved Sister Mary Samuel now enjoy singing with the angelic choirs
in praise of our God.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 5, 2005
at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus Chapel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin with visitation
from 4:00 – 7:00 PM followed by the Mass.
Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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