Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer (1923-2014): Sacred Heart Alumna, Lifelong Educator and Volunteer

Rosemary known by fellow Sacred Heart classmates as "Heidi" is pictured above in 2012 with
her daughter Betty Pozzi, BC '73 and below with Barbara Hinkes Coy, BC '72 

Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer a 1946 alumna of Barat College passed away Monday February 3, 2014 in Darien, IL, she previously lived in Mequon, WI. Rosemary taught in the Milwaukee Public School System, earned a Fulbright Scholarship, taught in England from 85 -86. Rosemary was active with the Miss Wisconsin Pageant. She moved to Plainfield in 1999, directed the Carillon Chorus for 12 years, and lifetime Girl Scout. She is survived by her children Mary Linari, John (Jinx), Betty (Joe) Pozzi, Bob (Nancy), Marjorie (Gunnar) Brinck, Thomas (Janet), William (Carrie), Terry (Brenda), James and Hung (Tuyet); 16 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren siblings Sister Marjorie Heidkamp B.V.M., Philip (Jean), Francis and Jerome (Donna) Heidkamp; many nieces and nephews. Preceded by her parents Herbert and Mary; brother Robert and sister Mary Lou McCall. Visitation Thursday 3 to 8 p.m. at the Anderson Memorial Home, 21131 W. Renwick Rd. in Crest Hill. Funeral Friday February 7, 2014 visitation 9 to 10 a.m. Mass to follow at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, 8404 Cass Ave. Darien. Donations in lieu of flowers to Sacred Heart Foundation (www.AASHNET.org) or Sisters of Charity B.V.M. (www.BVMCONG.org).  Published in the Chicago Tribune - to share a message, photo or video, click here.  

Note: The following is taken from the Barat Magazine - Spring 2004 (see top photo)-

"We hear every week of Barat alumni who, in part because their lives were transformed by Barat, have in turn transformed the lives of others.  In 2003 Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer was the well-deserved recipient of Barat’s Leadership and Service Award. 

Rosemary believes that education is a life-long journey, which takes place within and beyond institutions: in the family, in the neighborhood, and in the community. Her commitment to the service of others began early. During her years at Barat, surrounding the Second World War, she assisted the Red Cross by logging 500 volunteer hours of wrapping bandages. She volunteered for Hull House in Chicago caring for pre-school children of working mothers. She worked with the Ladies of the Grail from Holland as they prepared Adlai Stevenson’s Doddridge farm for European Jewish refugee children. She also worked with the Girl Scouts in many capacities – as camp counselor, leader and board member of the Sybaquay Council of Girl Scouting – all this while attending Barat College, earning her Bachelors Degree in Psychology in 1946.

Rosemary spent 35 years as an educator in both the Chicago and Milwaukee school districts. Her experience ranged from teaching at the Spaulding School for the Orthopedically Challenged to receiving a Fulbright Scholarship in 1984, which took her to England. Rosemary taught English at the Northampton Middle School from 1985-1986.

She also had the honor of being presented at Court and she is proud to say that she enjoyed high tea with Elizabeth, the “Queen Mum”.  Rosemary’s dedication to service and volunteerism continued throughout her professional life. While working in real estate sales, she helped to build two “Habitat for Humanity” homes in Milwaukee as a member of the Realtor’s Association. She remained active with the Barat College Alumni Association and the Associated Alumnae/Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AASH). She also served as president of the Milwaukee area Sacred Heart Alumni Association. During that period, she reinstated a Barat Scholarship for a Milwaukee resident. She was a national delegate to the AASH for six terms. While raising ten of her own children, Rosemary and her wonderful family opened their home to numerous runaways, displaced and homeless women, children of addicts in rehabilitation, five veterinary students from Purdue University and international students requiring housing. Rosemary happily states that her home was always open to anyone in need. As Rosemary reflects upon her enriching experiences, she “feels privileged to have had the opportunity to share in the diverse cultures of all these individuals. ”Presently, Rosemary shares her many talents with the Carillon, Illinois Community Chorus and Theatre Guild as their director. The chorus consists of 70 members ranging in age from 55-89 years of age. They entertain four times a year within the community of Carillon, but their greatest pleasure is presenting their musicals to nursing homes, rehab centers, churches, hospitals and senior centers.

Rosemary has created a Barat legacy within her family. She has three daughters, a granddaughter and grand-son-in-law who are all Barat graduates!

There is no doubt that Rosemary Cramer has touched numerous lives with her enormous generosity, compassion, intelligence, beauty, energy and wit."

Having attended the beautiful and most memorable funeral mass on Friday, February 7th, I'd like to share part of the program (see below from the mass booklet).  The mass was a true celebration of a remarkable woman who led by example.  Rosemary's faith was a most obvious guiding influence that impelled her to persevere throughout difficult times in her life.   I kept seeing her smiling throughout the mass and eulogy. I'm certain that Rosemary would have been very proud of the way her closing act was choreographed by her ten children!  Kudos to those that carry on her spirit and love of God!

ROSEMARY

 A constant presence in our lives.

A scout on life's journey pointing the way to womanhood.

Generous optimist able to see possibilities where shadows blinded others.

Creative-almost god-like-in making 

something out of nothing.

Standing up to crushing burdens and emerging with deepened faith 

in an ever present God

Hardworking imaginative career choices kept family together against all odds.

World traveler seeing the Ritz in every hostel.

Musical dreamer from backyard song fests, 

through Girl Scout "Singing Lady" 

To Carillon Community Chorus.

Music! Music! Music!

Faith-filled child, adolescent and adult seeing

with a believer's eyes,

GOD,

Present in every sorrow and every joy.

Woman of hospitality whose door was always open

Whose table always had an extra chair

Whose roof could always shelter one more.

Vulnerability

Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend.

Concepción (Concha) Camacho, RSCJ Dies in Spain

Concepción (Concha) Camacho, RSCJ
December 30, 1927 - February 2, 2014
Thirteenth Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart
1970-1982

 "The contemplative outlook consists in looking with the heart, into the heart. 
It is an attitude of life that takes over the whole being: 
intelligence, heart, feelings, will, to make it attentive to God's love and prompt to respond to it."


Concha Camacho RSCJ, 1980

  Thirteenth Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart (1970-1982)

Editors Note:  I met Sr. Camacho in the spring of 1980 went she came to Barat College. Knowing so little then about the Society, all I can say is she left an indelible impression and appeared a very charismatic leader.  May she rest in eternal peace.  For further info - click here

The Art Deco Murals of Hildreth Meière

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Mosaic as seen in
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
by Hildreth Meière, AASH President 1957-1959

Tonight's abc news featured a story about a local artist who has opened the Chicago Mosaic School. Karen Ami, CMS Founder is teaching the ancient art of mosaics and recently acquired leftover material from the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.  This story reminded me of my first visit to the basilica where I saw the gorgeous mosaic of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne created by famed artist and Sacred Heart alumna Hildreth Meière.   

The above book will be published in May 2014
to order or for more info click here

Kathleen Murphy Skolnik an architectural historian recently collaborated with art historian Catherine Coleman Brawer on a new book The Art Deco Murals of Hildreth Meière  which will be published by Andrea Monfried Editions in May 2014.  The book is the first in-depth exploration of Meière who is considered a pioneer artist in the decorative approach to modernism known today as Art Deco and who helped to revolutionize twentieth century architectural decoration.

Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ from the "Life Lived Perpetual Calendar"

Artwork by Bridget Bearss, RSCJ
Headmistress of the Academy of the Sacred Heart - Bloomfield, MI 

"Without silence no real purity of heart, no real devotion to the Holy Spirit, no real teaching from God who cannot make His still small voice heard in the talkative soul."

Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ (1857 -1914)

6th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart

Taken from the perpetual spiral-bound calendar "The Life Lived" " which celebrates the Centenary of Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ - click here to order

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Quote "When the Love of Jesus is in Question,..."

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)
This framed image from the halls of Barat College
Home of the Academy from 1904 -1961

"When the love of Jesus is in question, our generosity should know no bounds."

~ St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)

Founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart 

The above quote was taken from The Wisdom of Madeleine Sophie Barat - Day by Day Calendar.  To order a copy of the calendar (Cost: $10.00 + postage) - click here. 

Demolition of Barat College Begins Today

Barat College ~ Lake Forest, IL  c.1990's

The City of Lake Forest has announced that the demolition of Barat College also referred to as "Old Main" will commence today.  Crews are expected to work long shifts all week and on the weekends for the next several months until the entire building is torn down and the site is clear of debris. Since the college closed in 2005, systematically much of the interior and exterior as you will note below has been salvaged with the intention that materials are to be recycled, repurposed or reused.  In future posts, I will write about where various Sacred Heart items are now enjoying a new life. For more info about the demolition of the building, see related story in the LakeForest-LakeBluff Patch.  

"In October 1902, the Society of the Sacred Heart and the architectural firm of Egan & Prindeville of Chicago, one of the premier architectural firms in Chicago at that time, signed a contract to build the new convent and boarding school in Lake Forest." 

The once magnificent classical Georgian style building has been a visual landmark at the corner of Westleigh and Sheridan Road since the Convent of the Sacred Heart opened in 1904.  

"The cornerstone, laid in March, 1903 reads:

To the Greater Honor and Glory of God

Convent and Academy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 Erected by Reverend Mother Charlotte Lewis, Superior Vicar

Corner-stone laid March 23, 1903 

by Right Reverend Peter J. Muldoon, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

Leo XIII Pope 

James Edward Quigley Archbishop of Chicago

Very Reverend Mother Mabel Digby Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 President Theodore Roosevelt, of the United States 

Richard Yates Governor of Illinois,  

Carter Harrison Mayor of Chicago, 

Egan and Prindeville, Architects"

Barat College Cupola will be restored and placed in 
a garden on the front lawn of the campus

The Cupola was carefully removed last month.  Plans call for the Cupola to be restored and later used as a focal point in a meditation and reflective garden on the front lawn per the Master Plan Phase II.

Woodlands Academy Master Plan Phase II

Another well known icon that once stood on the front lawn of the Barat College campus for decades was the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue.

Sacred Heart Jesus Statue c.2011
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

 A plaque on the base of the statue (photo above) reads as follows:

"Created in plaster by French Statue maker Peaucelle Coquet, the rendition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was first dedicated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart Lake Forest.  The Religious of the Sacred Heart expanded their Academy to include Barat College in 1918, and on those grounds the statue remained.  In 1961, the Academy moved to its present location across the ravine from Barat College and was named Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart. The Statue was removed from Barat College and restored following the closing of the college in 2005.  It was dedicated on this site n June 9, 2008 in Memory of Robert F. Key, a Woodlands Academy Trustee from 1997-2007."

Note:  Historical quotes are taken from  Barat College: A Legacy, A Spirit and A Name by Martha Curry, RSCJ  

Click this link to learn how you can order a copy of Sr. Curry's book.

Harriet Padberg, RSCJ (1922-2014) - Her Musical Ties Go Back Generations

Sr. Harriet Padberg, RSCJ  (1922-2014)
photo taken at 2013 Spirituality Forum in Atherton, CA

I was sadden to read that Sr. Harriet Padberg had passed away on January 2nd.  I had the pleasure of meeting her last summer in California at the Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum.  We had a delightful conversation over lunch.  While Harriet may have followed in her older sister Marie  Louise's (1914-1994) footsteps entering the Society of the Sacred Heart, she seems to have also followed a passion for music that spans generations. 

Harriet was the daughter of Marie Louise Kilgen and Harry J. Padberg.  When you read her full obituary on the rscj.org site you get a flavor of her musical background. But not until you dig deep into her ancestry do you start to learn that she was the great granddaughter of two very prominent men who have as they say "an ear for music".  

Harriet attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart known as City House which closed in 1968 and then she went on to Maryville College located at 2900 Merramac Street.  Coincidentally the 22 acre property is rumored to have been donated in 1872 to the Society of the Sacred Heart by Eugene Miltenberger, Harriet's maternal great uncle.  One connection to the Society that is certain is that Eugene Miltenberger's oldest daughter Elise, entered the novitiate of the Religious of the Sacred Heart at Kenwood, Albany, NY, in 1875.  

Mother Elise Miltenberger, RSCJ (1848-1929)
photo c. 1893 from McAnany-Guignon Genealogy website

Mother Miltenberger would teach at several Sacred Heart schools and became treasurer for the St. Louis Vicariate.  Mother Miltenberger died in 1929 in Saint Charles and is buried with the RSCJ in Calvary Cemetery. 

Harriet's mother's maiden name (Kilgen) was very familiar to me as I had researched the history of the Barat College Chapel years previously.  So I knew that the Organ that was once housed in the Barat College Chapel was manufactured in St. Louis by Kilgen.  Charles C. Kilgen, a Master organ builder was Harriet's grandfather who took over the family business in 1873 upon his father George's death and ran the company until 1923.  "Charles was a descendant of Sebastian Kilgen, who built his first organ in Durlach, Germany in 1640."

Photo of the name plate is from the Kilgen Organ originally purchased in 1925 for
Barat College of the Sacred Heart Chapel ~ Lake Forest, IL 

Charles Kilgen (1859-1932) was married to Louise Robyn (1855-1897),  daughter of William Robyn, a prominent musician in St. Louis and founder of the music department at St. Louis University, as well as several symphony orchestras.  Eugene Miltenberger  (1819- 1879) and Robyn first met in the 1840's when Miltenberger played the violin in one of Robyn's first orchestral ventures. In 1852, Robyn a young widower married Eugene's sister, Clemence Miltenberger (1826-1901).  

William Robyn (1814-1905) 
Harriet's maternal great grandfather 
photo from McAnany-Guignon Genealogy website

So it is no wonder that Harriet Padberg, RSCJ, great granddaughter of both George Kilgen and William Robyn would serve as founder and director of Music Therapy at her alma mater, Maryville.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by her cousin John Padberg, S.J., at Villa Duchesne Academy on Saturday, January 25, 2014 and Sr. Padberg will be buried in Calvary Cemetery.  To read complete funeral details for Sr. Padberg, click here. 

Website Sources: The Prep News of St. Louis University (November 2011), McAnany Family Genealogy, Find A Grave 

Prayer to the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus in St. Charles, MO greets those that arrive on the campus
founded by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in 1818 

From the Society of the Sacred Heart - first friday reflection

Prayer to the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus,
you who are always present to us,
we ask for the courage to open our hearts to you.

May we be filled with you,
with your life and love
so that we may in turn reveal you - 
your life, your love, your peace, your kindness, your compassion
and your wisdom -
in all that we do.

We ask this grace for the Sacred Heart family across the world 
now and forever.

Amen

Prayer by Sr. Maureen Glavin, RSCJ

Headmistress of the Academy of the Sacred Heart - St. Charles, MO 

The reflection above is taken from the Society of the Sacred Heart United States - Canada Province website.  Click here for additional First Friday Reflections 

Prayer for the New Year by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

"I shall pray that in the New Year you will gain much in the practice of virtue."

~ St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)

Founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart 

The above quote was taken from The Wisdom of Madeleine Sophie Barat - Day by Day Calendar.  To order a copy of the calendar (Cost: $10.00 + postage) - click here.