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February
20, 2006 
VOL.
44, NO. 4Oakland,
CA
OBITUARIES
Sister William Marie Ayres, SNJM
Holy Names
Sister William Marie Ayres, a former provincial of the Sisters of the
Holy Names, died Jan. 10 at her community’s convent in Los Gatos.
She was 98 and had been a vowed religious for 66 years. At the time of
her death she was the oldest Sister in the California Province.
Born in Colorado, she was a convert to Catholicism and a former businesswoman
when she joined the Holy Names Sisters. She worked briefly as a high school
Spanish teacher but spent most of her life in administration.
After serving as provincial treasurer for five years, she became provincial
superior in 1961, a position she held until 1970. During her tenure, she
guided the community through a time of change following Vatican II. These
included updating of the religious dress, returning to the use of baptismal
names, and the departure of Sisters from the community.
“She was a very caring person who dealt with difficult times with
such equanimity,” said Holy Names Sister Barbara Carroll, who works
at the provincial office in Los Gatos. “She was a very gracious
lady.”
After completing her term as provincial, Sister Ayres worked to ensure
the well-being of Holy Names High School and Holy Names College (now University),
both in Oakland. She worked in the college business office until her retirement
in 1992.
She is survived by her nieces and the Sisters and Associates of the Holy
Names community.
The funeral Mass took place Jan. 15 in Los Gatos. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre
Cemetery in Hayward on Jan. 17. Donations in the memory of Sister Ayres
may be made to the Ministry Fund, Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box
907, Los Gatos, CA 95031.
Sister
Matilda Carmel Berryessa, SNDdeN
Sister Matilda Carmel Berryessa, a longtime educator who taught at two
Catholic schools in Alameda, died on Jan. 31 at age 103. She had celebrated
her 80th year as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur last August and was the
oldest Sister of Notre Dame de Namur in the world.
Born on a ranch in San Jose, Sister Berryessa became acquainted with the
Notre Dame Sisters while attending Notre Dame High School in San Jose.
She became a member of the religious community a few years after graduation.
For over 45 years she worked as an elementary school educator, teaching
in eight of the Sisters’ elementary schools in California, including
11 years at St. Joseph and St. Philip Neri elementary schools in Alameda.
When she talked about her ministry, Sister Berryessa spoke of the great
pleasure she experienced working with her students. “Working with
little children that Jesus loves so much, planting the seed of love for
God and service to His people, preparing them for the sacraments …
all has been a great joy,” she said during an interview reminiscing
on her life.
After retiring from classroom teaching in 1972, Sister Berryessa tutored
children at St. Lucy School in Campbell and spent 24 years visiting the
homebound and those in care centers at the Campbell parish.
She moved to Mercy Retirement and Care Center in 1998 and until her final
illness crocheted baby blankets and jackets and little stuffed animals.
She donated the proceeds from the sales of these items to Notre Dame ministries
around the world.
Throughout her life, she maintained contact with many of her former students
and their families. That affection was returned by several former students
who attended her funeral, Feb. 3 at the Notre Dame Province Center in
Belmont. Burial was in Mission Cemetery in Santa Clara.
A memorial Mass was celebrated Feb. 15 at Mercy Retirement and Care Center
in Oakland. Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame de
Namur, 1520 Ralston Ave., Belmont, CA 94002.
