Sister Elizabeth Prus, SSS

Taken from: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=elizabeth-...

Prus, Sr. Elizabeth

September 22, 1910 - December 22, 2009

Sister Elizabeth Prus, SSS, entered into eternal life on December 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 99. She was born on September 22, 1910 in Portland, Oregon into a family of seven children: two brothers and four sisters. Her sparkling personality captivated all who met her. Her laughter could be heard in family and community gatherings as well as her expressions of 'Alleluia!' when things went well.

After high school, she attended Behnke Walker Business College to learn shorthand in preparation for secretarial responsibilities. When she was 25, she felt a call from God to enter the Sisters of Social Service, a Catholic religious community headquartered in Los Angeles. Her motto, 'Prefer nothing whatever to Christ,' perfectly describes her life as an SSS. She took her first vows on June 5, 1938 and her final vows on May 16, 1948. She was involved in myriad works, including Director of Retreats at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Administrative Assistant at Stella Maris Center, and Financial Secretary at St. Vincent's School. For many years, she was the Directress of Novices and on the SSS Council. She graduated from Immaculate Heart College. In addition, she was Coordinator of Benedictine Oblates for many years, reflecting her steadfast loyalty and support of the Benedictine monks of Valyermo, California. And, it must be noted, she loved the Liturgy of the Hours and Celebration of the Eucharist. Her life revolved around the Church Year. But none of this adequately describes who Sr. Elizabeth really was.

She was always rushing to the next good thing. She had the unique ability to totally focus on whoever was in her line of attention. She had the capacity to make the other person feel that he or she was the most important person in her life. She also had a remarkable ability to run her small 'business,' selling cards, rosaries, small statues and many other religious objects. But most of all, she had an incredible list of people with whom she kept in touch, remembering feast days, birthdays and other big events in people's lives. Her enthusiasm and upbeat sense of joy caused others to believe that life does have a larger purpose. It was hard to be depressed when Sr. Elizabeth was present. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her sisters Agnes (Mrs. E. L. Kost), Bea (Mrs. L. C. Kost) and Sr. Bertille Prus, who is also a member of the Sisters of Social Service; her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and her SSS family.

There will be a Vigil on Sun., Dec. 27, at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Retreat Center Chapel, 4316 Lanai Rd., Encino. Mass of the Resurrection will be on Mon., Dec. 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent's Church, 621 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, 4201 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, followed by a reception at St. Vincent's School Auditorium, 2333 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of Social Service, 4316 Lanai Rd., Encino CA 91436.