Sister Eva Schoell, IHM, 94, died Thursday, March 7, at her residence, the IHM Senior Living Community.
One of three daughters of William and Eva (Hoffman) Schoell, Eva Elizabeth was born March 27, 1929, at home at 410 West Elm Avenue in Monroe, Michigan. The family belonged to St. Mary parish just down the street and the girls attended St. Mary Academy just around the corner. Whether Providence or fortuitous proximity, Eva attended the elementary and high grades at St. Mary Academy. At age 18, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in June 1947 and received the religious name Sister Mary Neumann.
Sister Eva was a talented budding musician, and while earning her degree at Marygrove College, she taught an array of elementary subjects, which always included a choral, music application or instrumental instruction class. The students of Immaculata, St. Francis de Sales and St. Boniface (Detroit schools) and Sacred Heart, Roseville, recall her classroom presence and inspiration. In 1965, she moved to St. Mary High School in Lorain, Ohio, as high school faculty. Within a few years, she was named principal through 1971 and then as principal of Lorain Catholic High School through 1975.
Sister Eva spent the next year staffing Visitation House of Prayer on the IHM Campus, where she honed her gifts in retreat and spiritual direction. In late 1976, she was called to congregational leadership as Provincial, Southeast Province. When her leadership ended in 1983, Sister Eva enjoyed the opportunity for a sabbatical year before returning to her ministries at Mercy Retreat Center in Madison, Connecticut.
Returning to Visitation House of Prayer in 1989 allowed her to continue ministering and reside in Monroe before she took on additional retreat and direction programming at Crawfton, a community retreat property in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada. Sister Eva became synonymous with “Crawfton” for her programs, hospitality, and care for all who came seeking respite. Her pleasant disposition added to the effortlessness of creating this atmosphere for 10 years.
Sister retired in 2005 and returned to the IHM Motherhouse. Still, she continued to serve and volunteer within the house in healthcare, providing companionship, supporting the IHM craft sales with products, and offering retreat guidance. A decline in health necessitated her move to McGivney Center, where she remained until her death.
Sister Eva is survived by her sister Margaret Constan, nieces and nephew, and her IHM Sisters in community. Her sister Dorothy Schoell preceded her.
Read Sister Eva’s Remembering.