Sister Andrea Loran, a member of St. Scholastica Monastery, died July 13 at Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab in Fort Smith. She was 96.
Born Helen Loran Aug. 26, 1926, in Rhineland, Texas, to Liberatus and Bertha Strubel Loran, she was the eighth of 11 children born to the Loran family.
Sister Andrea entered St. Scholastica Monastery as a candidate Sept. 2, 1940, joining her sister, Sister
Martha, as a Benedictine. Following her novitiate in 1947, Sister Andrea made her first profession June 24, 1949, and her final profession June 24, 1952.
Sister Andrea was gifted in hospitality, nurturing both body and soul in the culinary fields. She ministered in Paris, Fort Smith, North Little Rock, Clarksville and Shoal Creek. Sister Andrea served in the dietary
departments of two hospitals in Moberly and Booneville,Mo., for eight years. In 1997 she served as a core
team member of Hesychia House of Prayer in New Blaine until her retirement in 2009.
She attended Fontbonne College in Clayton, Mo., in dietetics and food service. As long as she was able,
Sister Andrea enjoyed cooking and tending to flower gardens. She loved to read a variety of authors and topics.
She is survived by nieces and nephews and members of her Benedictine family.
A vespers service was held July 20. The Mass of Christian Burial was held July 21 at St. Scholastica Monastery Chapel with Father Les Farley celebrating and chaplain Father Joseph Chan as concelebrant.
Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913-3489
