Sister Venita Baham of the Poor Clares dies at age 83

SIMPSONVILLE—St. Clare Sister Venita M. Baham, OSC, died Oct. 11. She was 83.
The Mass of Christian Burial was at the Monastery of St. Clare chapel in New Orleans, followed by the burial was in the mortuary chapel.
Sister Venita was born Sept. 11, 1928, in Windsor, Ontario, a daughter of the late James Valerian and Eugenie Dubreuil Baham.
She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and attended Holy Names College, both in Windsor. In 1948, she entered the Order of St. Clare in Evansville, Ind.  She stayed with the Poor Clares in Evansville for 19 years. After a two-year leave-of-absence she transferred to New Orleans, La., in 1970.  She worked in the missions in Mexico beginning in 1977 and moved to Greenville in 1988.
Sister Venita was an avid gardener who canned many of the fruits and vegetables she raised, an artist, and community activist. She is survived by her community.
Memorial donations may be sent to Monastery of St. Clare, 720 Henry Clay Ave. New Orleans, LA 70118.

Updated Oct. 31, 2011, to correct donation address and clarify burial location.