Christine Crowder
Alton |
Sister M. Christine (Barbara) Crowder was born on May 10, 1945 and entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George on July 16, 1963. She began the Novitiate on March 19, 1964 and made her First Profession of Vows on March 19, 1966. She consecrated herself to the Lord forever in Final Profession on October 7, 1971. With joy and gratitude, she celebrated her Golden Jubilee on October 10, 2015.
Sister M. Christine studied nursing at St. Mary’s School of Practical Nursing and St. Louis University and obtained her Master of Arts in Spirituality at the Notre Dame Institute in Arlington, VA. She worked in healthcare at St. Anthony’s Hospital (now OSF-St. Anthony’s Health Center) in Alton, IL from 1966-1974, 1976-1981, 1984-1989 and 2020 to the present. She served at the Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis, MO as the Director of Nursing and then the Administrator from 1989-1996 and 2014-2020. From 1981-2020, she served her religious congregation in a variety of offices as Postulant Director, Junior Director, Local Superior, Provincial Councilor and Provincial Vicaress.
Sister M. Christine was faithful and joyful in prayer and in carrying out the tasks entrusted to her. She was entirely devoted to her religious community, her family, and those she served. Those who knew her were blessed by her attunement to the promptings of the Holy Spirit whom she relied on to guide her at every moment.
She died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, June 2, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lucille (Herzog) Crowder. She is survived by her religious community, her sister Carolyn (William) Duke and brother Frank (Mary) Crowder and extended family.
Visitation for Sister M. Christine will take place from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6, followed by the Wake Service in the Chapel of St. Francis Convent in Alton, IL. The Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m., also in the Convent Chapel.
Memorials may be made for Masses for Sister M. Christine or for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
