Sister Mary Lou Stoffel, SNDdeN
March 12, 1935 – February 16, 2026
Livestream and recording of Mass and memorial.
“Catholic education is the greatest work on earth!”
St. Julie Billiart, Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Mary Anita Louise Stoffel was born in Chicago on March 12, 1935, the second child of Peter Stoffel and Alice Jungers Stoffel, a native of Luxembourg. Mary Lou, her older brother Bob and his three daughters and son have always been proud of their Luxembourg heritage.
Mary Lou attended Our Lady of Grace Elementary School where her teachers, the Springfield Dominicans, were impressed with her friendliness, piety and excellent judgment. She met the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at Notre Dame High School, a school to which she pledged love and loyalty all her life!
After graduating in 1953, Mary Lou entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Cincinnati, Ohio. The example and advice of the Sisters who taught her influenced her decision. Also, she thought that she could give more glory to God in the SNDdeN than in any other Congregation. As a novice, she received the name Sister Robert Michael, by which she was known until the 1960s when Sisters could return to their baptismal names.
Having completed the Novitiate and Profession of her First Vows in 1956, she began her long ministry of teaching nearly every grade in Catholic elementary schools. After teaching 10 years, and completing her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Dayton, she was appointed principal. In 1974, she received her master’s degree in education and administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. For 37 years, she served as a principal in schools in Cincinnati, Dayton and Lebanon, Ohio, and in Chicago.
In 1978, Mary Lou, and her good friend Sister Nancy Gnau, took a sabbatical. Refreshed by attending the Religious Leaders Program at the University of Notre Dame, Mary Lou returned to Chicago in 1979 to serve at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. After a long absence, she was happy to return to her beloved Chicago and to be closer to family and friends again. How fortunate that she lived in Chicago and could be of support to her sister-in-law, nieces and nephew when her brother Bob died in a car accident while on a business trip.
At St. Robert Bellarmine Parish and School, Mary Lou participated in parish life, taught and coached girls’ softball and volleyball. After serving as principal for 27 years, she taught part-time for nine years at nearby St. Ferdinand School.
Like St. Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Mary Lou firmly believed that “Catholic education is the greatest work on earth” through which the Sisters were to “teach the students what they need to know for life.” She had many students in addition to those in classrooms. Mary Lou was a wise mentor to her teachers, to new principals in other schools who sought her advice and to the seminarians and new deacons who did their ministry year before ordination at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. She was a good listener and confidant to pastors, associate pastors and parishioners. One pastor, who was a convert to Catholicism, said that Mary Lou taught him how to be a pastor. Mary Lou was also supportive of those serving in administrative roles, perhaps because she knew the challenges and the need for a good listener.
A “true blue” SNDdeN, Mary Lou loved the Congregation. She served on the Province Finance Committee and the Provincial Assembly and was an Area Contact for the Sisters living in the Chicago area, available to help them as needs arose. In addition, she was generous and involved in her local community of Sisters – cooking, shopping, party planning and taking an interest in each person. There are many stories about the parties she and the Sisters at St. Robert’s planned for the Sisters in the Chicago area.
Mary Lou loved her family and enjoyed being with them and her many friends. She loved everything about Chicago! She was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears, whether winning or losing. She liked going to Wrigley Field not only to cheer for the Cubs but also to enjoy a Chicago hot dog and cracker jacks.
In 2017, Mary Lou moved to Mount Notre Dame to be of service to the community. For several years, she was often on the road, driving Sisters to appointments, shopping for Sisters and taking them out to eat. Loving young people, she naturally volunteered to meet monthly with a group of students in Mount Notre Dame High School’s Adopt-a-Sister Program. She also frequently returned to Chicago to assist Sisters Ann Fanella and Lea Cozzini complete the monumental task of closing the St. Robert Bellarmine Convent in 2018.
Amidst her health challenges, Mary Lou had a great time celebrating her 90th birthday with the MND Community. She relished extending her celebrations over several weekends by visits from St. Robert parishioners and family and friends from many places.
As Mary Lou’s health declined, her deep faith, grateful heart and practicality enabled her to be an example for all of us. She graciously accepted her need for total care. With patience and good spirits, she always made it easy for her caregivers and her friends who supported her.
As we Sisters, family, friends and MND staff gather, we thank God for the gift of Mary Lou. With God we say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Receive the award planned for you from all eternity.” May you rest in peace in the arms of our loving God.
“Those who instruct others to justice will shine like the stars forever.” Daniel 12:3
Rita Sturwold SNDdeN
February 20, 2026