Sister Elaine Arbuthnot,osf
Alliance, Nebraska

Holt County Independent Thursday, January 20, 2005

Sister Elaine

Arbuthnot

Sister Elaine Arbuthnot, age 64, of Alliance, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2003, at the Marian Residence in Alliance.

Wake services were held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, at the Marian Residence in Alliance.

Mass of Christian burial was at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, 2005, at the Marian Residence in Alliance. Father Bryan Ernest officiated the service. Music was provided by the Holy Rosary Choir.

Interment was at the Calvary Cemetery in Alliance.

Bates-Gould Funeral Home, of Alliance, was in charge of arrangements.

She was born Cecelia Ann Arbuthnot on July 5, 1940, at O'Neill, Lo James and Eileen (Duffy) Arbuthnot.

Sister Elaine, a Sister of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity for more than 43 years, graduated from St. Mary's Academy in O'Neill in 1958, and joined the Franciscan Sisters at the Marycrest Convent in Denver, CO. She professed her first vows Up Aug. 15, 1961, and her final vows on Aug. 15, 1966, at Marycrest. She received her B.A. degree in Romance languages from Regis University in Denver, CO, in 1963; her M.A. in French from the University of Notre Dame, IN, in 1969; a certificate in theology from St. Mary's University at San Antonio, Texas, in 1977; and a library science certificate from Denver Community College in 1978. She worked as a high school teacher from 1963 to 1970 when she retired due to a disability from multiple sclerosis.

In her retirement, she remained active in peace and justice work; especially in support of the people of Nicaragua and E1 Salvador. Sister Elaine also sang for ten years with a chorale and was an active member of Mensa. As she required more care due to her advancing disease, she moved to Marian Residence in Alliance, in 1986. During her years there, the staff found her courage and acceptance inspirational. She became a beloved friend to them and to many of their family members.

Sister Elaine is survived by her sister, Mary Jacqueline Simon of Denver, CO; aunts, Mary Duffy of Elkhorn, arid Helen Duffy of Mission Hill, CA; nephews, Daniel Barela and Steven and his wife Maiya McGhie Barela.

Following her death Sister Elaine donated her brain and spinal cord to research for MS at Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center at Englewood, CO.

Memorials may be given to Colorado Multiple Sclerosis Society. Donations may be sent in care of Marian Residence, 1104 Toluca Ave., Alliance, NE 69301.