Sister M. Roberta

Born: April 10, 1939
Entrance: October 2, 1958
Professed: May 3, 1962
Died: February 28, 2025

The God of Life, for whom she longed so much, has fulfilled our co-sister’s wish to be with him now in eternity. She was born by the name of Maria Eckhoff, Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

I am that I am – I am here.

– I am where you are!

according to Exodus 3:14

We know Sister M. Roberta as a tireless seamstress in our former “embroidery room” and the “parament room”. This service shaped her life. Later she was sacristan in the motherhouse and in recent years lived in the Maria Hilf convent in Telgte and most recently in St. Franziskus-Haus in Nordwalde. She grew up in Ankum and trained as a ladies’ and men’s tailor before entering the convent.

With love and creativity, she made many chasubles and rochettes for the services in the motherhouse church, which are still in use today. After the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council, the vestments had to be adapted to the new understanding. Sister M. Roberta remembered this with pleasure for a long time.

She not only took care of the church services, but was also a tireless prayer warrior and devotee of the Eucharist. She wanted to say goodbye with the wish of her prayer that she gives us here:

“Almighty God, your servant Sister Maria Roberta lived in faith and trust from the holy mystery of the Eucharist and served the people. Now grant her eternal life with you in the light of your presence.

We bid a grateful farewell to Sister M. Roberta. We remain united with her as Sisters in prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist.