Celebrating a Century of Learning

The following is a feature from the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, republished in full with their permission

By Sebastian Isaacs, Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Communications Intern

On Friday, April 10, S. Betty Jane Lillie celebrated her 100th birthday one day early, marking a century of faithful devotion, trailblazing ministry, and a love for learning and educating others.

This lifelong passion for learning began early in S. Betty Jane’s childhood in Norwood, Ohio, where she was born and raised alongside her brother, Harry. She recalled one of her fondest memories as a little girl – sitting on a step below towering bookshelves at the library, reading book after book until she was called to leave.

Although her curious mind first manifested through a passion for talking and intense questioning, which was often scolded during her years at the former St. Elizabeth Elementary School in Norwood, Ohio. Despite her behavior, S. Betty Jane was highly regarded by her teachers for her intelligence.

“I was lucky that I did well in school,” S. Betty Jane said. She joked that back then, “I couldn’t see any reason for not talking. I figured if I had something to say, I should say it!”

Having been taught by Sisters of Charity at St. Elizabeth and growing up Catholic, S. Betty Jane’s devoted faith life and piqued intrigue for the scriptures also emerged early on. She attributes part of her draw to religious life to her “magnificent” pastor at St. Elizabeth, who was always there to encourage and support its students.

“He was very well educated, quite religious, and he would come to every classroom and teach religion once a week,” S. Betty Jane recalled. During these classes with him, her devotion to the faith only grew as she saw in him an exemplar Catholic who would check in with absent students to ensure they were keeping up with school while also radiating such a kind, devout spirit.

While attending Norwood High School, S. Betty Jane discerned her vocation as a Sister of Charity and entered the Community during her senior year of high school in 1944. S. Betty Jane remarked of her vocation journey: “It just came naturally,” and without question.

Throughout her 82 years as a Sister of Charity, S. Betty Jane spent all but five years teaching at schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. She first ministered as an elementary school teacher at St. Patrick School in 1947, then at St. Boniface School in 1950. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1955 while she taught at St. John the Baptist in Harrison, Ohio.

S. Betty Jane went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in social studies (1961) from the College of Mount St. Joseph, a master’s in theology (1967) and a master’s in biblical studies (1975) from Providence College in Rhode Island. During this time, she taught at various schools, including Cure of Ars, St. Joseph Infant Home, Seton High School, and Regina High School, all in Cincinnati.

Regarding her pursuit for graduate education, S. Betty Jane said in the summer 2002 issue of Intercom, “When I began my professional theological and biblical education with the Dominicans at Providence College, it was not yet common for Catholic women to pursue such degrees. For me it was an expansive and liberating experience I shall always cherish.”

She went on to earn her Ph.D. in intertestamental biblical literature from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 1982. There, her fond memories of her childhood library were rekindled as she discovered the Klau Library, home to many precious Hebrew manuscripts that had been moved from Germany to the United States during World War II to preserve them from destruction. She worked in the Klau Library for multiple years while receiving her Ph.D., organizing and reviewing these manuscripts that scarcely anyone was permitted to read and touch but herself.

Following her graduation from Hebrew Union College, S. Betty Jane went on to teach biblical studies at The Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Cincinnati. While employed at the Athenaeum, S. Betty Jane also taught as an evening professor for the University of Cincinnati from 1984 until 2003.

S. Betty Jane’s ministry at the Athenaeum was her longest, most fruitful ministry, which she pursued until her retirement. During this time, she began writing columns for The Catholic Telegraph on the Holy Scriptures, while also writing book reviews for numerous publications and a plethora of scholarly works.

One major achievement S. Betty Jane received for her intertestamental biblical studies was the Founder’s Medallion from Hebrew Union College in 2011, where Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism at the college, presented the award for S. Betty Jane’s “work to maintain vibrant religious life in community and for bringing its tenets into the life of so many.”

Upon retiring from her robust scholarly ministry at the Athenaeum, S. Betty Jane Lillie moved to the Sisters of Charity campus more than one decade ago to enjoy a new chapter of her life among her fellow Sisters. Currently residing in Mother Margaret Hall, she enjoys spending her time reading “everything, everything, everything,” learning new things, and conversing with friends and visitors while also staying active.

Mother Margaret Hall Social Worker and dear friend, Eileen Gumbert, wrote of S. Betty Jane’s diligence: “If you’ve seen someone in the Motherhouse flying by on a walker, running shoes shuffling quickly with a smile on her face, you have just observed S. Betty Jane Lillie on her daily walkathon.”

As she inspires those around her through her remarkable years of ministry and continued motivation at 100 years old, S. Betty Jane reflected, “You know, we just have to keep going. Every day, I just get up and I do what’s in front of me.”

On Friday, April 10, Sisters, Associates and SC employees gathered in the Mother Margaret Hall Community Room to celebrate S. Betty Jane and her milestone. Dressed in yellow and green, Sister’s favorite colors, guests honored a century of faithful contributions to the Catholic faith and to people of faith in Cincinnati.