Madeleine L. Altamira

Sister Madeleine L. Altamira, 93, a Catholic nun of Sisters for Christian Community, was called home by her Lord on December 27, 2015. Sister Madeleine was born on April 17, 1922 in Tientsin, China to Matthias Altamira and the former Cecilia Isse Tsu. She was predeceased by her parents, brother, Anthony Altamira and her sister, Cecilia Altamira. She is survived by her sister, Maria Altamira, her two nieces, Marilyn Agard and Carolyn Simoneaux, and two nephews, Michael Altamira and David Altamira.

Sister Madeleine attended the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, Japan, East Asian Pastoral Institute, The Philippines, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Barat Collage, Lake Forest, Illinois, and was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the University of San Francisco. She taught and developed religious education programs in Tokyo, Japan, Seoul, Korea, Puerto Rico, Detroit, Michigan, Yankton, South Dakota, Milton, Wisconsin, Saginaw, Michiagan and Zilwaukee before settling in Albuquerque, where she continued teaching until retirement.

A former pastor described her as follows: "Sr. Madeleine is a very serious, conscientious person, always on time and on the job every day, in good health, capable of doing her work by herself, with a minimum need for direction. She was not bothersome with details, but very loyal in carrying out the policies that were submitted to her. She is a private person, not prone to ostentation. She has a personal dedication to peace and social justice issues, but does not force her values on others." That essentially sums up her personality. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and the members of her religious community.

A Private Inurnment will take place at Mt. Calvary.