Sr. Mary Rabe

Sr. Mary Rabe was born on November 5, 1940 to Henry and Louise (Harper) Rabe and given the name Mary Louise. Mary was the oldest of eight children, five sisters and two brothers.

The Rabe family were members of Blessed Sacrament Parish, where Mary attended elementary school. Mary entered St. Walburg Monastery after her graduation from Villa Madonna Academy in 1958. She became a novice in 1959, receiving the name Sister Jerome. First profession followed in 1960, perpetual in 1963, silver jubilee in 1985, golden in 2010, and diamond in 2020.

Mary taught elementary grades for three years, moving into math and science teaching at St. Henry High School for the next five years. She earned a BA in chemistry from Thomas More College in 1970 and then joined the faculty at Villa Madonna Academy as math and science teacher (and dorm mother). She kept on learning. Mary earned an MEd in Secondary Education from Xavier University in 1976. Her teaching certificate certified her for Chemistry, Math, Biology and Physics. For many years she continued to search out courses and workshops in the summer in order to “be the best teacher I could be.” She accumulated 35 graduate credits in the above fields besides courses in electronics, astronomy, physiology, and gifted and talented youth. Students’ affection for her showed itself in a Jubilee party for her 50^th. One alum, now an MD, commented: “I will never forget how tough she was when teaching science, and I am glad she was.” Mary could made learning fun; she never lost the sparkle in her eye.

Mary retired from teaching in 2013 after 43 years at Villa. Among her honors were Kentucky Physics Teacher of the Year in 1997 and the Sr. Joseph Marie Award in 2013.

Mary then served as house coordinator at St. Walburg Monastery for close to ten years, assuring that the daily tasks around the house were assigned or volunteered for, and the sisters’ needs attended to. She spoke of the Benedictine way of life:

“We are all listened to because each person has a piece of the wisdom. Even if you sing off tune you can still sing; some even call it harmony.”

Mary died on Sunday morning, June 14, 2026 after several months of ill health. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Margaret, Frances, Paula, and her brother John. She is survived by her brother Hank, her sisters Ann and Alice Rabe, and her Benedictine community.

Vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm, Sunday, June 21, 2026 followed by visitation until 9:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5:00 pm, Monday, June 22, 2026. All services will be held at St. Walburg Monastery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Rd., Villa Hills, KY 41017; www.stwalburg.org   Online condolences to: www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com