M. SISTER

Sister Laura Wallace died at the age of 88 on Friday December 31 2010 at Regina Health Center Richfield OH. She was born on February 8 1922 in Alliance OH the daughter of the late William and Laura Wallace. Sister Laura entered the Sisters of St. Dominic in Akron (now the Dominican Sisters of Peace) on September 8 1938 from St. Joseph Parish in Maximo OH and made religious profession on July 7 1940. She was in her 70th year of religious profession. Sister's ministries took her to various parishes and schools which included St. Dominic Youngstown; St. Joseph Alliance; Immaculate Conception Ravenna; St. Felicitas Cleveland; Our Lady of the Elms Elementary and St. Vincent Akron. For three years she served as principal of St. Hilary School in Akron. Her longest assignment was teaching first grade from 1969-90 at St. Joseph in Mantua Ohio. In 1990 Sister turned to a great love of hers the beauties of land and nature. She spent time at Genesis Farm an ecological center in Blairstown New Jersey. Joining the staff at Crown Point Ecology Center in Bath Ohio she brought great enthusiasm for protecting planet Earth. Sister Laura played a major role in the success of Crown Point conducting workshops and teaching basket weaving and quilting. Sister Laura planted seeds for the crops grew flowers for the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and maintained the flower gardens and children's gardens. She also made garlands and wreaths using materials grown at Crown Point; conducted tours of the Farm and used her sewing skills notably to donate a quilt she created each year for Taste of Earth the annual dinner and fundraiser with a quilt rack which her brother Bob made each year to accompany the quilt as an auction item. In 2001 in addition to her work at Crown Point Sister Laura offered her services as co-moderator of the Friends of the Elms a group of women who meet each Tuesday to create gifts to be sold at the annual Christmas boutique. The proceeds are given to the sisters for needs throughout the year. Sister Laura continued to use her talent to make blankets for the poor and generate projects to benefit Crown Point and the Elms. Sister Laura was presented the Faith Award at the Women's History Project's 2009 Women of the Year Awards Dinner on March 3 2009. This program pays tribute to women in the community who do much to improve the quality of life for others. She has inspired new gardeners and volunteers with the wisdom and knowledge which she readily shares. Because of failing health she was transferred to Regina Health Center on Nov. 24 2010. Sister Laura is survived by her brother Robert (Mary) of Woodsfield OH; her sister Gertrude (William) Nudo of Louisville OH and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sister Pauline Frank. Calling hours will be held on Sunday January 2 2011 at Our Lady of the Elms Convent 1230 W. Market St. Akron from 3:00-6:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place in the Elms Chapel on Monday January 3 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in memory of Sr. Laura can be made to the Dominican Sisters of Peace 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus OH 43219-2098.