Agnes Marie Schon, C.S.J.

Message from the President
Oct. 14, 2016

Dear LMU Community:

I am saddened to share with you that Agnes Marie Schon, C.S.J., who was an integral staff member in Campus Ministry for 24 years, died Tuesday at her home. Sister Agnes was 102 years old.

Sister Agnes was the first woman hired in Campus Ministry and she held several positions from 1972-96, including assistant chaplain, assistant director of Campus Ministry, and chaplain emeritus. She was also a resident counselor in McKay residence hall, where she lived during her tenure. She was known for her devotion to Ignatian spirituality and for taking time with each student she met to serve as a spiritual adviser.

She played a key role, along with Campus Ministry’s Fernando Moreno, LMU alumni, and founders of the Build a Miracle Foundation Julianne and Chris North, in organizing De Colores trips, which have become a legacy service initiative of LMU. Sister Agnes also served as the first moderator of Sursum Corda service organization from 1992-97 and was involved in our Christian Life Communities.

Sister Agnes was so loved and respected, the annual Student Housing Staff Member of the Year Award is named for her, as is the Sister Agnes Marie Schon, C.S.J. Scholarship that provides financial assistance to a deserving Hispanic female student. Also, the lounge and meeting spaces under Sacred Heart Chapel are named for her.

She entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange in 1928, and was a teacher and principal in elementary and secondary schools in California for more than 20 years. She earned her master’s degree in English at Loyola University and was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in 1992.

Services for Sister Agnes will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Orange, 480 S Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868. Burial will follow at the Cemetery of the Holy Sepulcher, 7845 E Santiago Canyon Rd, Orange, CA 92869.

Please keep Sister Agnes and all those who loved her and benefited by her counsel in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D.
President