The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-30
Sister CLaudine Is Dead OfHeart Attack
Continued from Page D

buildings. the familiar "old school" and new school" convent and library and recreation hall in the building known as Mulcahy Memo- rial hall.
 During Sister Claudine's years as principal of St. Mary's, she saw Catholicism in Waterbury flourish and grow. New parishes came and thrived, new parochial schools were established, and yet St. Mary's re- tained its role as leader of Catholic education in the city.
 Father Mulcahy Pastor
 When she first came to Water bury, Rev. John A. Mulcahy was pastor of the church of the Immac- ulate Conception. In 1895 came Rev. William J. Slocun, later Monsignor Slocum, who did much to advance the school, and in 1910, Rev. Luke Fitzsimons. Father Fitzsim Il s was succeeded by Rev. William J. McGurk, and since the latters death Rev. Francis M. O'Shea has been administrator of the church of the Immaculate Conception. With each of these pastors, Sister Claudine gave and received full cooperation in the management and direction of the school and convent. She was admired by pastors, and by curates for the quiet efficiency with which she did her work, for the implicit confidence she had in God in time of need or stress, and for her utter simplicity of nature.
 Tribute of Pupil
 Sister Claudine knew no affecta- ton; she could not conceive of act- ing in any other than dictated by her nature and conscience. Her interest in the school was abiding and all-inclusive; 1t was with ser- iousness that 8 priest who had been taught at St. Mary's said of her, Interested in St. Mary's school? Why, ever since I can remember, Sister Claudine has been St. Mary's school"
 Youngsters of the '9O's and young sters of the '30's loved her and ad- mired her alike. The years dealt kindly with her, though she had many worries and cares on her mind. It was only in the past year or two that illness placed its im- print on her. Even io pain, she was gentle and kind; it was not char acteristic of her to complain.
 Young Sisters Loved Her
 Perhaps the best tribute to her could be given by sisters at St. Mary's convent, young nuns who came there in the freshness of their inspiring zeal and who passed through the years with Sister -Claudine as their principal; they, better than anyone else, could tell of her gentleness, her generosity, her mildness of nature. But her character was not one of mildness; her convictions, though she shielded them well, were strong and deter mined. Having chosen 8 view she conceived to be right she hewed to its line unhesitatingly.
 On one occasion she was to be transferred from Waterbury. Her superiors wanted her to take 8 post in New Jersey. Word of the transfer came to the ears of Father Fitz- simons, then pastor. He got in touch with the Mother Superior, and pleaded with her successfully that Sister Claudine be allowed to stay. We need Sister Claudine in Wa terbury," he said.
 Waterbury Did Need Her
 The many thousands who attend ed St. Mary's in the past 45 years, who have gone on into life in ways many and varieds the pastors and priests of the parish, the sisters who served under her, her friends among clergy and laity about the city-they will agree with Father Fitzsimons. Waterbury did need Sis- ter Claudine.
 Behind her she leaves an active fiourishing school, a school whose pupils who have been successful in their endeavors, who have won fame for themselves and for their school. They are illustrations of Sis- ter Claudine's belief that education is of two equal halves. the teaching of knowledge and the teaching of character.
 Pupils at the school this morning knelt in prayer for their principal. Wednesday morning at 2 o'clock. they will attend a special mass of requiem at the church of the Im- maculate Conception.
 Surviving Sister Claudine are two brothers, Dr. Frank Van Noort, and John Van Noort, and sister, Miss Jennie Van Noort. all of Pater-