Msgr. Robert Pierce, retired St. Louise pastor, dies
Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 3 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in Covina for Msgr. Robert Thomas Pierce, pastor emeritus, who died Sept. 27 at age 78.

He leaves behind a legacy of faith and friendship among the parishioners he served for 53 years as a priest, much of it in the San Gabriel Valley.

Born Dec. 3, 1928 in Pasadena, Robert Thomas Pierce attended St. Elizabeth School, Altadena, and in 1942 entered the archdiocesan Junior Seminary. He was ordained from St. John's Seminary May 5, 1954, at St. Vibiana's Cathedral.

Father Pierce served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Downey, St. Joseph in La Puente, Sts. Felicitas & Perpetua in San Marino, St. Vibiana's and St. Basil in Los Angeles.

He was assigned as pastor at Nativity Church, El Monte, in 1973 and then at St. Louise de Marillac in 1984, serving until his retirement in 2001 (he was named a monsignor in 1988). The St. Louise Parish community grew from 1,200 families when he arrived to nearly 4,000 families, and is still growing.

A statement from the parish noted that Msgr. Pierce's fondest memories were of "playing and coaching sports and bringing communities together for picnics, fiestas and variety shows." He had very little free time --- but enjoyed golf, traveling, and hosting his brother priests for gatherings. He was an avid sports fan and was well known for his love of Notre Dame and UCLA. His favorite sport events included the USC-Notre Dame and Rose Bowl football games.

"Msgr. Pierce had a joy for life and a love for God and the people he served, as well as an appreciation for the gifts of time, talent and treasure that parishioners so generously provided. His fondest words of praise for his parishioners were that they were 'second to none.'"

Msgr. Pierce is survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Pierce of Irvine; nephews Sean (Patricia) Pierce and Patric Pierce; nieces Penne (Dill) Ramsay, Tina Pierce, and Melissa Kelly; eight great-nephews and nieces; and two great-grandnephews.

Interment was private.

Fr. Jacques Nouws, CM
Funeral Mass was held Sept. 18 at De Paul Evangelization Center in Montebello for Vincentian Father Jacques ("Jake") Nouws, 88, who died Sept. 13.

Born in Zundert, Netherlands, he was ordained a Vincentian priest on July 21, 1946. He studied at the Ecole Nationale (Sorbonne) in Paris and came to the United States in 1951.

During his 61 years of priesthood, he taught Latin, Greek and French at several high school seminaries. From 1964-1970, he was assigned to teach Latin at Queen of Angels Seminary High School, Mission Hills. Father Nouws then served for 19 years as resident chaplain at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Following his retirement in 1990, he served as an associate pastor at De Paul Center. Besides celebrating liturgy in local parishes, convents and nursing homes, he was active in detention ministry until shortly before his death. He was buried at the Vincentian plot at Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles.

Diane Kelley
A memorial service at Mount Saint Mary's College's Mary Chapel was held Sept. 21 for Diane Kelley, who died Sept. 13 after being struck by a truck while riding her bicycle to work at the Chalon Campus in Brentwood.

A longtime payroll manager at the college, Kelley had worked at the Mount for 21 years and regularly rode her bicycle to Chalon from her home in Culver City. She was known for her generosity and prayerfulness and frequently brought Communion to the sick, the elderly and shut-ins from her parish, St. Gerard Majella, Los Angeles.

"All of us mourn the loss of a loved and cherished member of the Mount family," said MSMC president Jacqueline Powers Doud, who delivered a eulogy at the memorial service. Kelley is survived by three brothers, a sister, and their families.

Sr. Joseph Patrice Shea, SP
Funeral Mass was held Sept. 8 at Church of the Immaculate Conception in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, for Sister of Providence Joseph Patrice (Patricia) Shea, 84, who died Sept. 4. She had been a Sister of Providence for 66 years.

Born in Galesburg, Illinois, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in 1941. She earned a BS degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and an MA degree from Loyola University in Los Angeles.

Sister Shea ministered as a teacher for 49 years in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina and California. Locally, she taught at St. Joseph, Hawthorne (1950-54); St. Elizabeth, Van Nuys (1960-63, 1966-69); St. Anthony, Gardena (1969-73); St. Therese, Alhambra (1976-82); and St. Ambrose, West Hollywood (1982-91). From 1991-99, she served on the staff of Marywood Retreat Center in Orange. Survivors include her sister, Ruthmarie Leone of Carlsbad, and several nieces and nephews.

Fr. Don Bracht, SM
Funeral Mass was held Sept. 22 at Queen of Apostles Chapel at Mount St. John in Dayton, Ohio, for Marianist Father Donald Bracht, 93, who died Sept. 17.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, he began his Catholic education at St. Ignatius School in Cleveland, where he met the Marianists while attending Cathedral Latin School. After high school graduation, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Mary at Mount St. John in Dayton and took perpetual vows as a Marianist Brother in 1935.

Following his ordination to the priesthood in 1943, Father Bracht served as a teacher, chaplain and principal at several schools in California and Hawaii, including at Chaminade Preparatory in Cheviot Hills (1952-1953, before it relocated to the west San Fernando Valley) and Junipero Serra High School in Gardena (1953-56).

He spent nearly the last 40 years of his ministry in development for the Marianist missions in Korea. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Marianist Province of the U.S., 4425 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO. 63108.

Elaine Hritz
Funeral Mass was held Sept. 14 at Mission Hills Mortuary Chapel in San Fernando for Elaine Hritz, who died Sept. 10 after a long illness. Hritz was a former staff member for the archdiocesan vicar for women religious and development offices.

Norma Janola Yost Basham
Funeral Mass was held recently for Norma Janola Yost Basham, 97, who died July 18. Basham was a longtime Los Angeles parishioner whose four children all attended school at St. Vibiana. According to family members, she was best known for her love of God and willingness to pray for anyone in need. She is survived by her children: Ben, Norm, Bob and Mary Beahm.

Sr. Kathryn Marie Reichard, BVM
Funeral Mass was held Oct. 4 for Sister of Charity Kathryn Marie Reichard (St. John), former Los Angeles area educator, who died Sept. 29 in Dubuque, Iowa at age 93.

Sister Reichard was a music and classroom teacher at St. Charles Borromeo School, North Hollywood, from 1966-81. She also taught at Incarnation, Glendale (1957-58), as well as in Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa.

Born Aug. 6, 1914 in Milwaukee, Wis., she entered the BVM congregation in 1937 and professed final vows in 1944.

She is survived by three sisters: Mary Rose Swedish, Wauwatosa, Wis.; Rita Haase, Sun Valley, Calif.; and Bette Heim, Calimesa, Calif. Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Retirement Fund, 1100 Carmel Dr., Dubuque, IA 52003.