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 Sr.
Irma Walker, OP
Diamond Jubilarian
75 years (July 10, 1929)
Sr. Irma Walker, once a “flapper” from Somerset who won a
dance contest and was crowned “Queen of Buckeye Lake,” did
everything she could to outrun the Lord. In the end, she says, she came
to be a Dominican Sister because that is what God wanted of her. A primary
school teacher for 54 years and a parish minister to the elderly for 22
more, at age 95, Sr. Irma has a rich and varied life upon which to reflect.
This year Sr. Irma celebrates her 75th Jubilee of religious life. Entering
the community from Holy Trinity parish in Somerset in 1928, she professed
her vows on July 10, 1929. As an elementary school teacher, she began
at Holy Name in Columbus from 1929 to 1936 and again from 1940 to 1944.
She, like many Dominican Sisters of her time, crisscrossed the country
as needed, teaching in Dominican-run schools including St. Clare, Grosse
Pointe, Michigan (1935-36 & 1949-54) and St. Mary, Lancaster (1936-38
& 1960-64).
In the 1930’s, Sr. Irma had volunteered to be a missionary to China,
had been approved by the congregation’s Council, and was undergoing
training. Her mother’s permission was sought (a custom of the Mother
General in those days before sending out missioners) and was ultimately
refused. “I was very disappointed at the time, but it probably saved
my life,” Sr. Irma remarked, “since I had to have an operation
a year later that would not have gone well in China.”
“Three years later I received word that I was to be the Superior
at a new mission in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Mother Stephanie wrote to me,
‘this will be your China.’”
While in Abiquiu, she met and befriended the neighbor from across the
road. This was, unbeknownst to Sr. Irma, the world-renowned artist, Georgia
O’Keeffe. Sr. Irma also took over as principal of the Catholic school
in Dixon, New Mexico, and saw that school through the difficult times
during an historic local court case involving separation of church and
state.
St. Francis de Sales in Newark, Ohio, became home to Sr. Irma for many
years. She initially went to St. Francis as a classroom teacher in 1939.
When she returned in 1966, she spent another seven years in the classroom
and then “retired” from teaching. From 1973 until 1995, she
immersed herself in parish work and started the ARC (Active Retired Citizens
Club) to provide a place for older parishioners to come together and socialize.
Eventually, Sr. Irma returned to the Dominican Motherhouse in Columbus.
She is currently a resident of Mohun Health Care Center and is actively
engaged in a ministry of prayer.
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