Former Fort Smith prioress dies Dec. 28

Sister Cabrini Schmitz, OSB, co-founded what is now Mercy Hospital

Published: January 8, 2016

Sister Cabrini Schmitz, OSB

Sister Cabrini Schmitz, OSB, who served as prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery for eight years, died Dec. 28. She was 83.

A native of Scranton, Sister Cabrini was born Hilda Cecilia to Anthony and Bertha Schmitz on March 6, 1932. She was the second of 11 children. While attending St. Scholastica Academy her senior year, she began her religious life at the monastery, making her religious profession on June 24, 1951. Sister Cabrini went on to receive two master’s degrees, administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee and journalism from Notre Dame University, Ind. Throughout her years at St. Scholastica, she held many education and administrative positions, including as administrative assistant at St. Edward Hospital and was the co-founder of St. Edward Hospice, now Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Sister Cabrini was the director of St. Scholastica Monastery Retreat Center and served as prioress from 2001 to 2009. In 2011, she celebrated her 60th jubilee.

She is survived by five brothers, Lawrence Schmitz, Cletus Schmitz, Denis Schmitz, Ray Schmitz and Ambrose Schmitz; and three sisters, Agnes Hess, Mary Ann Hite and Susan Baltz-Schmitz.

Vespers for the dead were held Jan. 3 at the monastery chapel. Father Jerome Kodell, OSB, celebrated the funeral Mass Jan. 4, with burial at the monastery cemetery.