SINSINAWA — Sr. Betty Smith, OP, died Feb. 11, 2023, at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa. Her religious name was Sister Erneste. The funeral Mass was held at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Feb. 20, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Betty made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Oct. 6, 1959, and her perpetual profession Oct. 6, 1964. She served in the culinary arts for nine years and taught for 20 years. Sister Betty ministered as chaplain for five years and in pastoral care for 15 years. She loved people and shared her faith day by day with all whom she encountered. Betty would say to everyone, “Jesus loves you. He told me so.” She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, South Carolina, the District of Columbia and Georgia.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Betty served at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, as culinary artist, 1959-1963 and 1964-1968, and in pastoral care, 2003-2007.
Sister Betty was born June 13, 1939, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of George and Pearl (Smith) Smith. Her parent and a brother, Ernest Jack Smith, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 63 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Betty are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.