Fall 2006, Volume 49, Number 3
Much Good has Come Out of Lawler, IA
Sister Mary Basil Taylor
Lawler, Iowa! Nicknamed Capitol of the World! Hamlet of 700 people! Sitting on the edge of Crane Creek! This, at one time, was the birthplace of 52 young women who chose religious life. One of these was Mary Taylor, better known as Squeak, who later became our beloved Sister Basil Taylor. She was christened at Mt. Carmel Church, educated at Mt. Carmel Grade School, and graduated from Lawler Public. Her classmate, and life-long friend, Bea Schumann, is our Sister Dominica.Mary lived in a large white house on a corner lot with her parents, an older sister and four brothers. She was a frail child, perhaps pampered, but certainly not spoiled as we identify with society today. In September 1934, Mary and Bea, entered the Sisters of the Presentation at Mount Loretto, making their final commitment to the community in 1940.
It is not certain when or where Sister Basil’s love for art originated. Art was not taught in high school, and the practical course of home economics, making cream sauce, that was offered, did not lay the groundwork for an artist’s canvas. Maybe Sister’s love of art was inspired by Sister Bernadette, her 7th and 8th grade teacher at Mt. Carmel.
Sister’s extended education was for elementary teaching and art. She received her BA degree from Loras College that prepared her for teaching kindergarten, throughout Iowa. Her extended classes in art enabled her to teach in high school, with Wahlert High School in Dubuque being her last teaching assignment. Strange as it may seem, as she was never sports oriented, she enjoyed Wahlert wrestling meets, attending with delight as the team MASCOT, logo-ed sweatshirt and all. The wrestlers were her bodyguards through the crowded hallways.
Sister Basil loved the “little ones.” She was often observed in her kindergarten classroom of swarming “wee ones” sitting on her knee or nudging for lap priority. She sat in her rocking chair, which replaced the traditional teacher’s desk. It was in this teaching environment that the Little Mine was born, a delightful children’s magazine. As its editor, Basil searched far and wide for contacts to feed its pages. One of these responders was Helen Steiner Rice, a writer of verses often seen on greeting cards.
Retired? Yes. Tired, maybe, after 42 years of gracing the classrooms of God’s chosen ones. Sister Basil liked to putter, especially with ceramics, and the results were amazing and artistically beautiful. Oils, watercolors and scratch boards were the medium used to produce greetings cards and scenic pictures. Even though arthritic fingers complicated the use of a paintbrush or made a wrong turn on a scratch board, her talents were displayed in the gift shop for everyone to see and enjoy. Sisters Basil and Rose Marie White teamed together in decorating the chapel for holy days and jubilee celebrations. With the eye of an artist - a needed pin, a deft fold here and there resulted in beauty pleasing to all.
Sister Basil was God’s individual thought, unique in her own way, leaving an indelible mark on those with whom she came in contact. Learning from her was an adventure. Her spirit was one of kindness, loyalty and gentle thoughtful—ness. Her smile and her sense of humor “sugarcoated” an impishness of delight. Her simple approach to God touched lives in ways not to be forgotten.
Petite as Sister Basil was, her heart was large enough to encompass the loves of her life: God, family, friends, students, nature and art, as well as her extended family of Presentation sisters. Thanks, Mary, Squeak, Basil, for the gifts you so generously shared over and through 89 years of life. Death does not have the last word …God is alive in memories of you.
A “Sister Basil Art Fund” has been established by Sister’s family in an effort to assist sisters who wish to pursue their artistic ability, as well as for projects with other art students.
If you would like to contribute to this fund, send your donation to:
Sisters of the Presentation, Sister Basil Art Fund, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, IA, 52001.Pictured: Sister Basil enjoys time doing an art project with some weekend visitors.
