Cousins celebrate 75 years as nuns

Sister Doris Ann Samens and Sister Virginia Schwartz celebrated 75 years as Sisters of the Order of the Servants of Mary of Ladysmith on Sept. 17. The celebration took place at Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Illinois, where Sister Doris Ann now lives in retirement. Sister Virginia lives in Rice Lake and volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.

Both Sisters were born in 1931 and grew up in Cooks Valley. Sister Doris Ann’s father and Sister Virginia’s mother were brother and sister, making the Sisters first cousins. They joined the convent in Ladysmith in the fall of 1947 and took first vows on Aug. 16, 1949.

Over the years the Sisters served the church in a variety of ministries, beginning as teachers and principals in schools staffed by the Servants of Mary. Prior to retirement, Sister Doris Ann was coordinator of Ministry of Care at St. Therese Parish in Palatine, Illinois, and Sister Virginia was parish director at St. Ann's Church in Cable.