1935-2026

 

Born – May 24, 1935

Baptized – June 6, 1935

First Professed – April 22, 2001 [Earth Day]

Perpetual Profession – May 9, 2004

Entered Eternal Life – February 28, 2026

 

Sister Angela Meister, O.S.B., a member of Queen of Angels Monastery, died on February 28, 2026, at 10:30 p.m. at Mt. Angel Health and Rehabilitation Center, Mt. Angel, Oregon.  She was 90 years old and was to have celebrated her 25th Jubilee of Monastic Profession on April 22, 2026.

 

Sr. Angela was born on May 24, 1935, in Westport, Connecticut, to William Schomburg and Emily Kitchen Schomburg.  William Schomburg, her brother, was born four years later.  She was baptized at the Church of the Assumption in Westport on June 6, 1935.  Sister Angela attended public schools in Connecticut as a child.  She continued her education at the College of New Rochelle, New York and received a degree from Trenton State College, New Jersey in 1970.  In 1955 she married Richard Meister and their daughter, Eva, was born in 1958.  The family lived in New Jersey and Maine.  She later divorced. She worked for the Maine Department of Human Services as an adoption case worker in the 1980’s.  From 1990 – 1991, she was a volunteer in the Peace Corp in Jamaica,  then at Covenant House in New York City and Anchorage, Alaska.  Later, she came to Mt. Angel and became a volunteer with the Benedictine Sisters. She asked to enter the community in 1996.  She professed her vows on April 22, 2001, keeping the name of Sr. Angela.

 

Sr. Angela was a joy to be around and made friends easily.  She was very generous with her time and talents, serving in a variety of ministries during her community life.  She started volunteering at St. Joseph Shelter and Mission Benedict in 1997 and served as Coordinator of Mission Benedict for 13 years.  She visited women in  prison and served in parish ministries.  She helped tend the Monastery’s beautiful  grounds and was known for her skill at decorating the dining room and the chapel with flowers. She was the procurator for housekeeping needs for the sisters.

 

An exceptionally talented artist, Sr. Angela honed her skills by taking courses in iconography.  She eventually wrote 25+ icons that graced the Monastery and inspired sisters and visitors alike.  Much of her work is now included in the Queen of Angels Legacy Collection at Mount Angel Abbey. She painted the Stations of the Cross that line the Monastery’s walkway to the cemetery and another set displayed in the interior of the Monastery building.  The  outdoor stations were refurbished before her death in 2025 so that her legacy would be preserved.  In addition to the visual arts, Sister Angela was interested in poetry and other forms of writing, and submitted her work locally.  She regarded her creativity as a gift to be shared with others for inspiration and enjoyment.

 

Sister Angela wrote this about herself: “Who is Angela?  She is God’s special creation.  A child of nature placed in a certain time and place in which to grow toward the light.  All of her needs and wants are taken care of.  She is blessed.”

 

Sister Angela was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, William Schomburg; and her daughter, Eva Karkas, who is buried in the monastery cemetery. She is survived by grandchildren, great grandchildren and other relatives, and by her monastic community of Benedictine Sisters.

 

A vigil will be celebrated in the Benedictine Sisters chapel at Orchard House, 4:30 p.m., on March 11. Receiving and viewing of Sister Angela’s body is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on March 12 at the Queen of Angels Chapel.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., followed by her burial in the monastery cemetery.  A luncheon will follow in the monastery dining room.

 

Gifts in Sister Angela’s name to the Benedictine Sisters Retirement Fund are graciously accepted.  They can be sent to Benedictine Sisters, 840 S Main St., Mount Angel, OR 97362.