Remembering Sister Angela Ashbey
Sister Angela was born Arlene Loretta on June 21, 1940 into a very loving family. Her parents, Lillian and Arledge Ashbey lived in the Irish Channel of New Orleans, LA. She writes in her autobiography that her childhood, and as the youngest, was full of love, activity and sports from an early age with her three brothers, Arledge, Adrian and Allen. Her sister Anna, was more academic, and mentored Angela both educationally and culturally.
Her parents were always totally devoted to the parishes they lived in, and modeled for Angela, a spiritual, educational, and church centered life. Her memories of elementary years both at McDonough #18 in the city, Gentilly Terrace and St. Raphael’s school in Gentilly, were those of gratitude to all of her teachers. Her high school years at Holy Angels were filled with activities. Eleven of her senior class entered religious life: the Marionites, Maryknoll and Sisters of Christian Charity. Angela attributes her vocation to the inspiration she received from the Sisters of Christian Charity in her elementary years at St. Raphael’s. She entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1958 and followed a second call to be a part of the Sisters of the Living Word, newly formed in 1975.
Her mission experiences consisted of 21 years as elementary teacher in Illinois, North Little Rock, Arkansas, and New Orleans. In New Orleans she taught at St. Raphael’s, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Mary Magdalen, Metairie. She also did pastoral ministry at St. Elizabeth Seton, in Brusly, LA, in Illinois and Missouri, and in her latest years at Wynhoven Health Care Center in Marrero.
Many who knew Sister Angela would describe her as a character. She spoke of her love for Papi, God, in her life to everyone. Her heart was large, and she was extroverted with expressions of God, the saints and the Living Word. She cared greatly, especially for those in need and often used her voice to advocate for them. She was a very good teacher and loved coaching children in basketball and softball. Sister Angela who lived such an active life spent the last years of her journey in constant pain as she was bedridden with a number of physical ailments. This suffering she gladly offered for the many people she daily prayed for, her religious community and the city she loved so much, New Orleans. We who knew her were amazed and inspired by her upbeat attitude and kindness to those around her. We are grateful that she is now whole again and with her family, friends and Papi forever.