Sister Mary Louise Britten

Sister Mary Louise (Martha) Britten, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light, formerly known as the School Sisters of St. Francis, died Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the age of 93.

The Rosary will be prayed for Sister at 6:30 PM on Sunday, June 25, at St. Theresa’s Church in Panhandle. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 26, in St. Theresa’s Church, with Father Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi as the celebrant.  Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, in Amarillo, and burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery.

Sister Mary Louise was born Martha Louise Britten on July 16, 1929, in Groom, Texas. She was born to John Matthias Britten and Louise Sophie Reitz. She is preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Eva Marie (Sammy) Scott, Dora Jean (Eddie) Homen, and Rita Britten; her brothers Jim (Colleen) Britten, Albert (Lucille) Britten, Elmer (Louise) Britten, Ralph (Mary) Britten, Art (Jo Ann) Britten, Norman (Jean) Britten, Donald Britten, Paul (Neeta) Wagner, and Harold Wagner.

Sister is survived by her brother Bill (Dorothy) Britten.  She was so proud to be able to claim 61 nieces and nephews, 157 great nieces and nephews, 226 great-great nieces and nephews, and eight great great great nieces and nephews, and many wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Before entering religious life, Sister received an Associate in Applied Sciences diploma from Amarillo College in 1956 and completed a Course of Instruction and Practice at St. Anthony’s Hospital School of Nursing in the same year.  After entering Incarnate Word Convent in San Antonio in 1959 and staying for a time, Sister Mary Louise left to care for her elderly father in Groom and then entered the Congregation of the School Sisters of St. Francis in Panhandle, TX, on February 11, 1963.  Martha received the name of Sister Mary Louise when she became a novice. She celebrated her 50th Jubilee on July 26, 2015.

Sister was a long-time worker at St. Ann’s Catholic Nursing Home in Panhandle.  She took special delight in helping elderly priests at St. Joseph’s Home for Retired Priests, also in Panhandle.  She also assisted at the Catholic Children’s Home and was an invaluable help in the convent itself.

Sister Mary Louise loved cards and dominoes, playing the piano, telling jokes, beading jewelry for the Gala, and doing puzzle books. She was known for her perpetual smile and good nature.

Memorials honoring Sister Mary Louise may be sent to the “Bearers of the Light” Building Campaign at Sancta Maria Convent.  A new addition will be underway this fall with a brand new infirmary / assisted living area for our elderly and infirm, a nurse’s office, a tornado-safe room, and additional dormitories for the Community and administrative offices.  The new infirmary wing will be dedicated to the memory of Sister Mary Louise.   panhandlefranciscans.org/campaign

Sancta Maria Convent
PO Box 906
Panhandle, TX
79068