Sister Celestine known as a musician and liturgist

Published: November 16, 2018

Sister Mary Celestine Pond, OSB, who served as a liturgist, organist and music teacher, died Oct. 26. She was 84.

She was born Elizabeth Ann Pond to Henry and Anna Pond in Galveston, Texas, and grew up in Harrison. While still attending Holy Angels Academy in Jonesboro, she joined Holy Angels Convent in 1950 and received the name Mary Celestine. In 1952, she professed her first vows and final vows four years later. According to a 2012 Arkansas Catholic article celebrating her 60th jubilee, Sister Celestine taught music eight years before receiving her bachelor’s degree in liturgy and a master’s degree in liturgy and organ from DePaul University in Chicago. For several years she taught music, directed choirs and was an organist at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock and Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro.

Sister Celestine served as subprioress from 1969 to 1975, according to her funeral home obituary. In recent years, she was the liturgist and organist for her community and enjoyed giving private piano lessons to all ages in Jonesboro.

She is survived by one sister, Thecia Taylor; and two brothers, Joseph Pond and Louis Pond.

A visitation and rosary was held Oct. 29 at Holy Angels Convent. A Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 30, with internment at Mount Olivet Cemetery at the convent.