Sister Ruth

Mary Juchter, known as Sister Ruth in the Order of Saint Helena, North Augusta, SC, age 92, died on April 8, 2018.

 

Sister Ruth was born in Schenectady, NY on August 2, 1925 to Pieter Juchter, a native of the Netherlands, and Ruth Perkins Juchter. The first of three children, she was close to her brothers, Pieter and John.

 

Before entering the convent, Ruth taught French and English in the United States and abroad. She studied for a year in France, at the University of Grenoble and the Sorbonne, received her BA from Barnard College and a Master's from Columbia University. She then set sail for a great spiritual adventure of living in Bolahun, Liberia, where she taught for five years at the Holy Cross Mission School.

 

The spiritual adventure continued with her return to the USA to inquire about vocation in the Order of Saint Helena. Ruth entered the Religious Life in 1959, making her Life Profession in 1965. She taught French and Geometry at the Margaret Hall School for girls in Versailles, KY.

 

In 1970, Ruth began her "vocation within a vocation", working closely with Associates of the Order, visiting those in Ghana as well as throughout the USA, and welcoming those visiting from the Bahamas where sisters had worked during 1975-82.

 

Ruth lived in convents of the Order around the country, lately in Augusta, GA and North Augusta, SC. She loved serving as librarian for the Order, as secretary for the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and was a supporter of Integrity USA and the Southern Poverty Law Center, believing in inclusion and equality for all people as God's beloved children.

 

An avid reader and faithful intercessor to the last, Ruth increasingly became a lover of solitude and contemplative prayer, as well as the Eucharist and daily monastic services. She retained a delightful sense of humor and a gift for puns! And all her life she was physically active, and especially enjoyed hiking.

 

Sister Ruth is survived by many loving family members and her sisters at the convent. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brothers. The Order of Saint Helena wishes to thank those who cared for her through KindredatHome, Pepper Hill Rehab and Nursing staff, and Kindred Hospice.

 

A memorial Requiem will take place on Friday, April 27, at 11:00am at the Convent of Saint Helena. Rowland-Ford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for private burial at the convent. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Order of Saint Helena or to the Southern Poverty Law Center.