| Notes |
- Teresa Binder was one of the younger of the fourteen children of Frank and Mary (Sitter) Binder of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, six of whom had died before she wrote her autobiographical notes during her novitiate (1929-1930).
«tab»Of course, in a home of immigrants from Bohemia-Bavaria, a father's work could scarcely cover the needs of such a large family, so there was an ordered poverty and necessary training in "doing without."
«tab»But Teresa was a diligent pupil at St. Vincent School where the Notre Dame Sisters taught; so she came at age fourteen with the security of a good education and good study habits, and ready for high school in the Juniorate.
«tab»Through serious application in the novitiate, in practice teaching and teaching ten years at Holy Angels, Gary, and three more at St. Margaret of Scotland in Chicago, summer schools and Saturday classes, she earned her B.A. degree in 1945 with emphasis on Social Studies, History and English. With such a wide range of interest, young Sister Laurice was becoming a broadly educated teacher with a sense of responsibility that prepared her for real service in education.
«tab»She was ready then to fill the role of "mother" at the orphanage in Green Bay from 1946-52. She earnestly and lovingly organized the life and learning of the children for whom she showed a strong, personal concern which characterized the spirit of the institution, its gardening, laundering, housekeeping and the nurturing and education of the children.
«tab»Then she taught the eighth grade classes in Chicago, at the Academy, St. Ambrose, St. Alphonsus for eight years, after which she carried the responsibility of principal for fourteen years, ten of them at St. Michael's in Chicago. Here she did uncommonly well, handling a mixed and changing elementary school with a strong but gentle directness. She required that everyone, both students and teachers, work hard and with exactness according to a well-planned program. Her successor found clear evidence of a "skilled school administrator." Sister Laurice herself worked hard at every aspect of her position, even personally involved in keeping the school in excellent condition, physically as well as educationally.
«tab»She left Chicago in 1975, and until 1987 worked in schools in cities of northern Illinois-Sterling, Elgin and Aurora. Then she began another career as helper in several homes, at age 76. But her most special service in Aurora was her being companion, friend, support and nurse for Sister Teresa Herrera through her time of cancer treatment and suffering.
«tab»Sister Laurice was more than a teacher or principal; she was an active and joy-making community member. Her wide, radiant smile, her capacity for understanding, for joining and for arranging celebrations and games made her a vital part of any community.
«tab»Even at St. Anthony's Home in Crown Point, where she spent the last five years of her life, she was an active participant in festivities and visiting inmates, and in the Bible group. Toward the end, she could not communicate but she smiled, and the nurses loved her.
«tab»She died October 31, 2002, and was buried from the Academy at Holy Sepulchre.
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1911 - 2002 (91 years)
