Ferdinand Benedictine Sister Mary Carmel Spayd Dies at 100

Sister Mary Carmel Spayd, who spent more than eight decades as a Benedictine sister, educator and administrative leader, died at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Scenic Hills at the Monastery in Ferdinand. She had recently celebrated her 100th birthday, leaving a legacy that touches classrooms, parish life and the daily rhythms of Dubois County.

Born Luella Cyrilla Spayd on Aug. 16, 1925, in Mariah Hill, she was one of five children of William and Theresa (Brenner) Spayd. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1944 with her twin sister, Sister Mary Carmen, and professed monastic vows in 1946. Her education credentials included a bachelor’s degree from St. Benedict (Normal) College and a Master of Business Administration from Notre Dame.

Sister Mary Carmel taught for decades across Indiana, including at Christ the King Elementary School in Indianapolis, Academy Immaculate Conception/Marian Heights Academy in Ferdinand, and Mater Dei High School in Evansville. She served as principal at Mater Dei from 1967 to 1981 and held multiple administrative roles for the Sisters of St. Benedict, including director of development and supportive services. Those roles made her a familiar presence both in school hallways and in the operational life of the monastery.

Her personal recollections captured the joy and sacrifice that shaped her vocation: “It was the hardest thing to give up,” she said of letting go of swing dancing before committing to religious life. Reflecting on community life, she remembered, “The Benedictine community fosters personal growth. I never felt stifled in any way. The community offered me opportunities I would not have had otherwise.” Her anecdotes — pouring concrete for monastery walkways, climbing scaffolding to the top of the church dome in her late 70s — underscored a hands-on approach to stewardship.

Sister Mary Carmel’s passing highlights broader community issues around aging, long-term care and the role faith-based institutions in Dubois County play in providing supportive services. As a resident of Scenic Hills at the Monastery, her death is a reminder that rural communities need sustained investment in elder care resources, staffing and policies that support centenarians and those who care for them. Her decades in education also point to longstanding challenges in recruiting and retaining educators in faith-based and rural schools.

Public visitation was held in Marian Parlor at Monastery Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and in the monastery church on Wednesday, Jan. 14. A Vigil Service was held Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m. and Funeral Liturgy on Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m.; the public could view both services at funeral.thedome.org. Rainey Funeral Home in Dale handled arrangements. Burial of the cremains will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.

Her life of teaching, administration and prayer leaves an imprint on students, parishioners and colleagues; for Ferdinand and the wider county, her passing underscores the value of supporting aging neighbors and the institutions that sustain them.