Born: October. 4, 1909 - Fredericksburg, Texas, USA
Died: December 7, 2008 - San Antonio, Texas, USA |
The American composer and music teacher, Sister Mary-Elaine Gentemann, known as Sister Elaine, became a Sister of Divine Providence at 19 years of age. She began her ministerial life in music education at Our Lady of the Lake College/University in 1929, where she taught for more than 70 years. During this time, Sister Elaine pursued her education and received a Master of Music in Composition from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She also studied at Juilliard School of Music in New York City and pursued doctoral work in composition at Columbia University.
Sister Elaine taught courses in piano, organ and theoretical training, but she always found time to pursue her love of composing, for which she received numerous awards and honors. Sister Elaine retired to Our Lady of the Lake Convent in 1999.
Sister Mary Elaine Gentemann passed away peacefully on December 7, 2008, at age 99. She is survived by her sister, Sister Immaculate Gentemann, CDP, two nieces, Louise Monroe of San Antonio, and Alice Moritz of Lubbock, Texas, great nieces and great nephews, the CDP Community, and many former students. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Gentemann, and five of her siblings. |