Sister Saint Augustine Ball, SSMN
Religious Educator
Sister Saint Augustine, born Marcella Ball, who recently celebrated her 76th anniversary as a Sister of St. Mary of Namur, died Friday, September 17, 2004 at Marycrest, the infirmary for the order. She was 95. Born January 17, 1909 in Lourdes parish in central Buffalo, daughter of the late Jacob and Anna (nee Rohs) Ball, she joined the order on February 2, 1928. Sister Saint Augustine attended St. Mary’s Seminary and Canisius College, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Art Degree in 1936. She earned her Master’s Degree in 1940 and then attained her Ph.D. in mathematics in 1942 at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. Sister St. Augustine taught at Mt. St. Mary Academy in Kenmore and at Annunciation High School in Buffalo; she served as principal at both schools. She also taught at St. Joseph’s Academy in Lockport. She held positions as professor at Canisius College, the University of Buffalo, and Buffalo State College. For several years she was a research scientist trainee and assistant professor at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
During her years at Mt. St. Mary, Sister Saint Augustine organized a service group, God’s Peace Corps, for young women. Under her initiative these young women lived and worked in central city parishes. She was General Councilor in her congregation for a time, working in that capacity in Namur, Belgium, as well as traveling to various missions. For two years, she served as Chaplain in a home maintained by the congregation in Monifeith, Scotland. After her retirement from teaching, Sister Saint Augustine was engaged in many pastoral activities, including parish work at St. Joseph’s in Lockport and at Annunciation in Buffalo, and organizing and leading scripture sharing groups. She introduced many to a centering method of prayer. She influenced many persons and formed many lasting friendships during her long and active life. Her constancy in keeping contact and to correspondence was appreciated by many.
She is survived by her sisters in the congregation of St. Mary of Namur, several nieces and nephews, and her cousin, Rev. Msgr. Richard Wetter.
Sister Saint Augustine donated her body to the University of Buffalo for research purposes. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 7 PM Tuesday at St. Mary Center on Lafayette Avenue in Buffalo. Friends invited. If desired, memorials to the Sisters of St. Mary Infirmary Fund, 241 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213, are preferred. Further information may be found at the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur website, www.ssmn.org. Arrangements entrusted to the care of the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda.
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