Sister Virginia Pearl died October 19, 2024, at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia. She was 94 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 65 years. She was born in Rossville, KS, on June 24, 1930, to Thomas and Florence Doyle Pearl, the fifth of six children, and was baptized Virginia Lou. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia on September 8, 1958. On March 18, 1959, Virginia received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Thomas Ann, later changing back to her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1960, and final vows on March 19, 1963.
Sister Virginia received a B.A. in Education from Marymount College, Salina. She taught in parochial schools in Salina, Concordia, and Pfeifer, KS. In 1968 Sister Virginia changed her emphasis in education to Religious Education which she taught in Clyde, KS. In 1969 she earned the M.S. in Education/Religious Studies from Loyola University in Chicago and continued to work as Director of Religious Education in parishes in Kansas and Colorado.
Upon retiring from teaching, Sister Virginia did pastoral work in Kansas City, MO and Great Bend, KS. Her last assignment before retirement was serving as Chaplain at Larned State Hospital, Larned, KS. She moved to the Motherhouse in 2011.
Sister Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings. She is survived by several nieces and nephews and extended family. A Bible Vigil Service will be held on October 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Judy Stephens as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be October 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, Father Bob Schremmer presiding with concelebrant Father Barry Brinkman. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Virginia Pearl may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.