September 9, 1937 – August 27, 2022

Sister Pauline Bridegroom, PHJC (Sr. Mary Luke), Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, passed away at age 84 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana.

She was born in Leiters Ford, Indiana to Paul Lough and Louise Genevieve Bridegroom (Emge). Her parents preceded her in death, along with her sisters Ann Toole Harrison and Jennifer Emge Bridegroom (Dodie) and niece Terri Vylee Esposita. Sister Pauline is survived by her brother Thomas Bernard Bridegroom, sister-in-law Jan and many nieces and nephews (including greats and great greats!)

Sr. Pauline entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ August 22, 1956 and professed her vows July 16, 1959.

She ministered to God’s people in a variety of ways: in education, pastoral care, as hospital chaplain, librarian, clerical assistant. She served at Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago, schools in Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Gary IN and in Germantown IL. She also served at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka and Fort Wayne, McAuley Retirement Center in Farmington Hills MI and John XXIII Retreat Center in Hartford City IN. She retired to Catherine’s Cottage in Donaldson in 2016.

She brought joy to many people through her stories and humor. One of the ways Sr. Pauline brought her playfulness to others was entertaining folks as the clown, ‘Sweet Cheeks.’ We are grateful for Sr. Pauline and all the lives her life touched.

Wake and funeral September 1, 2022 at Ancilla Domini Chapel (All times EST)
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.— Wake Service and Visitation
11:00 a.m.— Mass of Resurrection

For those unable to attend in person, the Wake Service and Mass of Resurrection will be livestreamed at www.poorhandmaids.org/live.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.