Sister M. Carlita, CSC (Leona Hildegarde) Hammes

Entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross from Plymouth, Indiana, on August 1, 1958

Initial Profession of Vows on August 15, 1962

Leona Hildegarde Hammes was born on November 2, 1937, in Plymouth, Indiana. She was the tenth of Charles and Clare (Umlor) Hammes’ twelve children. She grew up on the family farm in Plymouth, where there always was something to do. Summers were filled with outdoor work, with the Hammes children all pitching in with the hoeing, planting, and weeding the various fruits and vegetables the farm grew. The farm included a menagerie of cows, pigs, chickens, cats, and dogs, so Leona’s childhood was far from dull. She attended grade school at Saint Michael’s School and was introduced there to the Sisters of the Holy Cross. For high school, Leona boarded at Sant Angela Academy, Morris, Illinois. She graduated high school in 1956, later working for the South Bend Medical Foundation as a laboratory technician. As part of her recommendation letter in Leona’s application to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Sister M. Jeanine (Hodges), CSC, believed she was “a most virtuous person who possesses deep faith, hope, and love in God.” Sister Jeanine thought that the young woman would prove herself a devoted Holy Cross sister. Leona entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana, on August 1, 1958. Upon reception of the holy habit, she became Sister Mary Carlita.

Sister Carlita’s strong work ethic and sense of responsibility persisted throughout her life as a woman religious. For the first 19 years of Sister’s active ministry, she was an elementary school teacher in the midwestern United States. She taught at Sacred Heart School, Fort Wayne, Indiana; Holy Redeemer School, Flint, Michigan; St. Paul’s School, Danville, Illinois; St. Mary’s School, Anderson, Indiana; St. Vincent de Paul School, Logansport, Indiana; Queen of All Saints School, Michigan City, Indiana; and Notre Dame School, Michigan City, Indiana. Prior to her assignment at Notre Dame School, Sister Carlita, ever practical and hands-on, earned an occupational therapist certification from Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, in 1976.

Sister Carlita was involved with early childhood, adult education, and occupational therapy in retirement homes throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. After serving as a driver for the sisters at Our Lady of Holy Cross Convent, South Bend, Indiana, she worked in the Basic Adult Education office, Elkhart, Indiana, for one year. She was an early childhood teacher at St. Patrick Day Care Center, Peoria, Illinois, from 1982 to 1987, and then at Dickinson Day Care, Barrington, Illinois, from 1992 to 1993. In between these assignments, Sister Carlita ministered to the aging as an occupational therapy assistant and director of activities at St. Joseph’s Home, Peoria, Illinois, for five years. Her ministry in retirement homes continued at Maplewood Care, Inc, Elgin, Illinois, where she was an activities assistant from 1993 to 2001.

Sister Carlita moved to South Bend, Indiana, in 2001 to serve as a sacristan who visited parishioners in various nursing homes when Mass was provided. It is likely that she also brought Communion. Sister also hosted luncheons following funerals by request. This time was also when Sister Carlita began to volunteer her service to the community at the motherhouse at Saint Mary’s, offering a helping hand in a variety of activities, such as the mini mall where sisters set up shop for hobbies or learning new skills. Preparing for the traditional boutique fundraiser was a year-long project, no longer possible. In 2009, when Sister Carlita moved to Saint Mary’s, Sister Carlita assisted in the Stamp Room in processing canceled stamps, the proceeds of which continue to support Holy Cross missions outside of the United States.

A professed Holy Cross sister for over 60 years, Sister Carlita was known for her unwavering loyalty and kindness. Years ago, while attending summer classes at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Sister Carlita would bring boxed lunches to her dear friend Sister Joan Ronning, CSC, while she studied. When they lived together in the 1990’s and 2000’s in Elgin and South Bend, the two sisters shared ownership of several beloved schnauzers. Sister Suzanne Patterson, CSC, once said that Sister Carlita would bring her stamps to donate to the low-income parish she ministered at, without even being asked. Some considered Sister Carlita quieter than most, but her thoughtful nature spoke louder than words ever could. Many remember her as a strong woman who easily took charge without thinking, especially if something appeared lacking. Her saving grace was that she was able to laugh at herself in such instances. 

Sister Carlita’s health took a sudden turn with an unexpected diagnosis. Until only a month or so ago, she was on her feet and as active as ever. Her ties to her family were strong and they lived close enough to Saint Mary’s that she often visited them. In her final days at Saint Mary’s Convent, she felt the comfort of their presence. They in turn also knew that her Holy Cross sisters kept silent vigil with her at her bedside. Sister Carlita died shortly after midnight on April 14, 2026, at Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame. Just as Saint Paul urged in Colossians 3:12, Sister Carlita clothed herself in kindness and compassion throughout her 88 years of life and in her ministry to the young and aging. May she rest in peace.

Services will be held at the Church of our Lady of Loretto on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with visitation at 9:30 a.m.  Prayers and memento at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of the Resurrection.   See the Sisters of the Holy Cross website for details.  Kaniewski Funeral Homes is assisting.

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