By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

VILLA HILLS - Benedictine Sister Mary Berenice Byron, acquisitions coordinator at the Thomas More College Library for nearly 30 years, died Tuesday at St. Walburg Monastery. She was 84.

Sister Mary Berenice's job as coordinator was to order and pay for books and other library acquisitions.

"She was an excellent steward of college resources," said Jim McKellogg, director of the library.

"She was very meticulous. Because of her care and attention to book ordering and the payment of invoices, I think she saved us a lot of money and strengthened the library holdings as a result. She was a valuable employee and a good friend to a lot of staff and students."

Sister Mary Berenice was an elementary teacher for 27 years before switching careers. From 1941 to 1968, she taught every grade except first at Blessed Sacrament in Fort Mitchell, Holy Cross in Covington, St. Henry in Elsmere, St. Joseph in Crescent Springs, St. Benedict in Covington and St. Francis Xavier in Falmouth.

A Louisville native, she grew up in a family that included 10 brothers. She received a bachelor's degree in education from Villa Madonna College (now Thomas More) and held a certificate in library science. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery in 1938 and took her first vows two years later.

Sister Mary Berenice became acquisitions coordinator at Thomas More in 1968 and retired in 1998.

"She was very caring," said Sister Rita Brink. "She had a lot of friends."

Survivors include a brother, Robert Byron of Louisville; and nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial is 10:30 a.m. todayat St. Walburg Chapel, 2500 Amsterdam Road, Villa Hills. Interment will be in St. Walburg Monastery Cemetery.

Memorials: St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Road, Villa Hills, KY 41017.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com