Sister George Antoinette passed away on 4/20/15 at the Nazareth-Living-Center, St. Louis, Missouri. Born 7/21/1938 in De Pere, Wisconsin, to George and Antoinette Vander Loop, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on 9/15/1956 and made her final profession 8/6/1964.

Sister taught first grade in Chicago for seventeen years. In 1978 she relocated to Glenwood Springs. Along with Sr. Marie Renee Pretti, Sister George helped to establish St. Stephen’s Catholic Elementary School and taught there for 21 years. Hundreds of students benefited from her expertise in reading; hundreds more were in her religious education classes. After leaving the classroom, she remained at St. Stephen Parish and worked in Pastoral Care for seniors. Sister began Hearts and Hands Ministry and opened the Hearts and Hands Gift Shop in 2004. She remained active in the parish until failing health necessitated a move to the St. Louis Nazareth-Living-Center 8/19/2013.

Sister is survived by six brothers, two sisters and many nieces and nephews. Her brother Ed recently wrote about her time at St. Stephen. “She loved the parents. She loved the parish. Glenwood Springs was her home!”

There will be a celebration of Sister’s life on Thursday, May 21st, 11:00 a.m., at St. Stephen Catholic Church. Lunch will be available after the service. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen Catholic School, 1885 Blake Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.