By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DELHI TOWNSHIP - Sister Mary Irene Hiegel, the oldest Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, died Saturday at Mother Margaret Hall nursing home. She was 102.

Sister Mary Irene was born Mary Teresa Hiegel in Springfield, Ohio, in October 1900. She worked at the Buckeye Incubator Co. in Springfield before becoming a Sister of Charity at 27.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in social studies from the College of Mount St. Joseph, she taught at various schools, including St. Mary in Hyde Park (1935-37 and 1970-72); Annunciation in Clifton (1949-52); St. Albert the Great in Kettering, Ohio, (1952-54); St. Andrew in Milford (1961-63); St. Saviour in Rossmoyne (1963-69); and Holy Family in Price Hill (1969-70).

Sister Mary Irene left the classroom in 1972 to serve as librarian at St. Mary School. She moved to Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse, where she was phone operator and receptionist for 16 years.

Since 1988 she had lived at Mother Margaret Hall, where she enjoyed playing bingo and watching the Cincinnati Reds on TV when she wasn't praying the rosary and attending daily Mass.

Several relatives traveled to Delhi to help her celebrate her 100th birthday nearly three years ago. For her it was a time of laughter and reflection on life.

Survivors include nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Mass has been held. Burial was in the Motherhouse cemetery.

Memorials: Sisters of Charity Retirement Fund, 5900 Delhi Road, Mount St. Joseph, OH 45051.

E-mail rbillman@enquirer.com