Blessing the new columbarium at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

“It just seemed ‘right,’” said Sister Ann Casper, Providence Community Cemetery minister, about the decision to create Providence Community Cemetery at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. On Nov. 9, 2019, the new columbarium was blessed and the first cremains interred. Providence Associate Heather Tetzlaff Smith was the first person interred in the new columbarium. Sisters of Providence, Providence Associates and members of Heather’s family gathered for the blessing and interment.

It was Heather’s mother’s request that her daughter’s cremains be interred at the Woods which led to the development of Providence Community Cemetery. Heather, a graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, had great devotion to Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and referred to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods as “home.” Now those with strong and long-lasting connections to the Sisters of Providence may request cremains burial here.

Learn more about Providence Community Cemetery.

Sisters, Providence Associates and family and friends gather to bless the new columbarium and to inter Providence Associate Heather Tetzlaff Smith in her final resting place

Preparing for the blessing

General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski leads the prayer

Father Daniel Hopcus blesses the columbarium

Those who have gathered, pray

Sisters and associates gathered for the blessing and interment

The new columbarium, ready to receive its first ashes

The blessing

Co-director of Providence Associates Debbie Dillow speaks about Heather

Sister Ann Casper assists Heather’s parents as they inter her ashes in the columbarium

Sister Ann Casper adds Heather’s nameplate

Heather Tetzlaff Smith is the first person to rest in the columbarium

Sister Noralee Keefe pays her respects to Heather