SISTER QUEENIE ANNE
I transferred from St. Mary Academy in Monroe to SMR in
my junior year. I had Sister Clothilde for
Latin, and she wanted us to use a Latin translator book _ better known as a 'Pony'. (Does anyone know why it was called a 'Pony'?) I was in Sister Anne Regina's home room and she
had previously taught Latin. She saw the
"Pony" on my desk and quickly confiscated it, stating that we weren't allowed to
use it. I told her that Sister Clothilde told
us to use it. She wouldn’t give it back
to me.
I told my grandfather that night that I needed the money
for a new 'Pony'. I told him that Queen Anne
wouldn't give it back to me. The next day in
home room we all looked up when we heard a loud voice calling for "Sister Queenie
Anne"! I couldn't believe it! It was Gramps!
I realized that I always called her "Queen Anne", so of course,
that's the name he used (he made it even worse adding an ‘ie’ to ‘Queen’)! Mary Jo Caleal and other friends also recognized
his voice. I'm sure I turned bright red. I was so embarrassed!
The voice got closer, the door slammed open and he asked
the startled nun if she was "Sister Queenie Anne". She quickly guided him outside. You could hear his loud voice. "Listen here,
Sister Queenie Anne. I worked hard for my
money, and you give my granddaughter back her 'Pony'.
You don't have to go out and make a living and pay bills. You don't know the value of a dollar!"
Their voices lowered as they walked down the hall. I was so mortified!
I'm sure that everyone knew it was me by my red face. We heard Sister returning as the bell rang. She entered and said that she wanted to speak with
me. Everyone knew that I was in big trouble!
I stayed, and Sister Anne Regina said, "Here's your
Latin Translator. I want you to know that
you are very lucky to have your grandfather. He
loves you very much."
I, along with other alumni, visited the IHM
Motherhouse in May 1998. I had asked to see
Sister Anne Regina. She was still very tiny
with snow-white short hair and dressed in a cornflower-blue dress that matched her
brilliant blue eyes. I was amazed that we
were all so afraid of her years ago! Her
1998 picture is in this website's photo area in the *now
& then* section. I, of course,
will always hold a unique memory of her. I
will always remember her kindness on that embarrassing day in my Junior year!
Cathie Wallace '65
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