Sister Estelle Cullings, OSB papers

Sister Estelle Cullings, OSB was born in Clearfield Iowa on November 20, 1903, the youngest of 5 daughters. After her mother died, her father, looking for a quality educational institution, sent her to the Academy in Canon City, Colorado, With her father's permission she became a Catholic. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in August, 1922. She professed temporary vows in February, 1924 and professed final vows in February, 1927. She celebrated her golden Jubilee in 1974 and her diamond jubilee in 1984. She attended DePaul and Loyola Universities as well as the University of Notre Dame earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Master's Degree in Education, and a degree in Communication Arts. Sister Estelle was well known for her work in music and theater, teaching a monastic choir, and directing the Glee Club at St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago. She became principal and choral director at St. Scholastica Academy in Canon City. Sister Estelle and Viola Berwick produced several Broadway musicals in the new St. Scholastica Auditorium in Chicago. She organized a summer camp for girls, Camp San Benito, in Colorado in the late 60's. She had a wonderful talent producing beautiful crocheted and embroidered articles. Sister Estelle died at the age of 94 and is buried in All Saints Cemetery.