Mary Louise Zeyen, IHM, former Philharmonic cellist, dies

A Memorial Mass was held April 27 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, Los Angeles, for Mary Louise Zeyen, a member of the Immaculate Heart Community and retired cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, who died March 14.The youngest sibling of the Zeyen trio of musicians, Mary Louise was five when she started performing in the Seattle area with her two older sisters. When she was ten, she moved with her family to Los Angeles and attended Immaculate Heart High School. She entered the Immaculate Heart Community in 1947, taking the name Sister Mary Anthony, IHM.She taught at several IHM elementary schools in Los Angeles, Long Beach, northern California and at the IHM mission in Canada. She was IHM community music supervisor and served as superior/principal at Holy Spirit School in Los Angeles. She later taught private cello lessons at Immaculate Heart College.Her professional music career resumed with her two sisters and fellow IHM religious in the fifties when the Immaculate Heart Trio performed locally and nationally. In 1958, they made a recording with Capitol Records as Sister Mary Mark (piano), Sister Mary Denis (violin), and Sister Mary Anthony (cello). In 1967, when the Immaculate Heart Community was in transition, Mary Louise was excited to return to playing the cello in the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, which she rejoined in 1970. She remained there until she retired “a little prematurely” due to severe arthritis in her hands.In retirement, she continued to give private cello lessons and remained an active member of the Immaculate Heart Community. She volunteered at the office, served on the IHM Board and on committees and participated in Community life. Her later days were lived peacefully in a retirement community in Pomona with her sisters, Peg Rooney and Mary Mark. Mary Louise also leaves her sister, Sally McGahan; her sister’s daughter, Debbie Eaton (Dan); and their three young children. A brother, Bob, preceded her in death.According to those who knew her, Mary Louise gifted many with her music, generosity and gentle presence. “We are grateful for the many years she spent in our company, inspiring us with her talents and modeling fidelity to God’s call and commitment to Community,” wrote IHM members in the program prepared for Mary Louise’s Memorial Mass.Sr. Agnes Eileen O’Brien, SPFuneral Mass was celebrated April 2 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., for Sister of Providence Agnes Eileen O’Brien, 97, who died March 23.In her 79 years as a Sister of Providence, Sister O’Brien ministered as a teacher for 38 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, California and Missouri. Locally, she taught at St. Joseph, Hawthorne (1962-64), and St. Elizabeth, Van Nuys (1964-67).Sr. M. Barbara Browne, CSCFuneral Mass was held recently for Holy Cross Sister M. Barbara Browne, 94, who died March 11 at St. Mary’s Convent, St. Mary’s, Notre Dame, Ind.A teacher, she taught at several schools, including St. Catherine by the Sea, Ventura (1956-58 and 1970-71). Sister Browne retired to St. Catherine’s in 1997 and, in 2006, officially retired to St. Mary’s Convent in Indiana.Sr. Ann Denise Reger, SPFuneral Mass was held March 15 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, for Sister of Providence Ann Denise Reger, 94, who died March 12.In her 67 years as a Sister of Providence, Sister Reger ministered in elementary schools for 36 years in Indiana, Illinois, California and Washington, D.C. In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, she taught at St. Elizabeth, Van Nuys (1951-54); St. Ambrose, Hollywood (1954-55); and St. Joseph, Hawthorne (1968-75).In 1975, she began working in parent education and English as a second language programs in the Los Angeles area. Having a wonderful gift of wit, she made friends wherever she went. Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.Aurora RochaFuneral Mass was celebrated April 22 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Northridge for Aurora Rocha, who died on April 17 at the age of 86. Survivors include her son, Father Michael Rocha, pastor of St. Mark Church in Venice.Sister Patricia Anne Gilligan, CSJFuneral Mass was held recently at Carondelet Center, Brentwood, for St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Patricia Anne Gilligan, who died April 26 in Los Angeles. Born in San Francisco, she was educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and in September 1946 entered the novitiate in Los Angeles. Beginning in 1949, she served for 40 years in elementary education, serving as principal of four schools, including St. James, Redondo Beach. She also ministered at Carondelet High School, Concord. Sister Gilligan is survived by a sister, Eleanor Dolan. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City. Donations may be sent to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 11999 Chalon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049.