Sister Mary Aquinas Freehill, V.H.M.

Pictured (left to right): Sr. M. Loretto, Sr. M. Aquinas, and Mother M. Pauline.

Eulalia Rose Freehill was born in Strawn, Illinois on March 7, 1906, the daughter of James Francis Freehill and Mary Ryan. She was Baptized by Father James Francis at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Parish in Fairbury, Illinois on March 10, 1906. Her sponsors were Austin and Mary McGreal. She received her first Communion at St. Rose in Strawn, 1913, and was Confirmed at St. Rose on September 23, 1917, by Bishop Edmund Dunne, Bishop of Peoria.

Eulalia spent her youth on the family farm in Strawn with her parents, brothers, and sisters. She brought many happy memories with her when she journeyed off to attend the boarding school run by the Visitation nuns in Rock Island, Illinois.

While still a high school junior at the monastery school, she entered the postulancy of the Congregation of the Visitation of Holy Mary at the Villa de Chantal in Rock Island on June 8, 1923. She received the name Sister Mary Aquinas, after the patron saint of her date of birth; that is, St. Thomas Aquinas. She was received into the novitiate on February 2, 1924, then one year later made her first profession of vows on February 3, 1925. She made her perpetual profession of vows on February 3, 1928. Sister confirmed her vows yearly on November 21, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, as do all Visitation nuns to this day.

A gifted intellect, Sister Mary Aquinas was one of two nuns who were the first women to graduate from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1931. In 1951, she received a Master of Arts degree from Marquette University.

Sister Mary Aquinas taught high school physics, biology, and math from 1931 to 1942. She taught 7th and 8th grade from 1925 to 1931, then again from 1942 to 1952. From 1957 to 1971 she taught 6th grade while also serving as a grade school principal from 1966 to 1968. She spent time in three other Visitation monasteries. She taught in the Baltimore Visitation from 1957 to 1961, the Frederick Visitation from 1963 to 1967, and six months in the Mobile Visitation.

Various roles held by Sister Mary Aquinas in the monastery over the years included dispenser, refectorian, sacristan, portress, guest hostess, and procuratrix.

Though she was a self-proclaimed tomboy, the vibrant and compassionate 5’-3” Sister Mary Aquinas excelled in needlepoint, embroidery, floral decorations, and needlework. Another hobby she enjoyed was studying Illinois history.

After a brief stay in the hospital, Sister Mary Aquinas Freehill, V.H.M., died on April 25, 1988. She was visited by a few friends: Father Ambrose Cunningham, who anointed her; and her spiritual director. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island.