A Memorial Mass was held Sept. 12 at the Church of the Seven Dolors at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, for Loretto Sister Alice Eugene Tighe, 98, who died Aug. 29.Born in Chicago and baptized Mary Josephine, she moved with her family to northeastern Colorado, where she attended elementary school. She learned how to play the piano from her grandmother and could perform music scales by ear at an early age. Immediately upon graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in Denver in 1933, she joined the Loretto Sisters, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Loretto Sister Mary Lucina. Later, three younger siblings would enter the congregation: Loretto Sisters Ann Virginia, Carolyn Mary and Kathleen Tighe. Another sibling, Helen, had been a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary religious congregation in Los Angeles.As a young Loretto nun, Sister Alice Eugene taught music in parochial schools from Kentucky to California. Locally, she served at Holy Family in South Pasadena (1937-38) and Immaculate Conception in Monrovia (1938-39). In 1964, she earned a doctorate in musicology, with a minor in theory, from the University of Michigan.At her 75th anniversary as a Sister of Loretto in 2008, many of her students and their families travelled from every part of the country to celebrate with her. Among other accomplishments, her students have been awarded music scholarships, been finalists in international piano competitions and played in winners’ recitals in Carnegie Hall.Sister Tighe donated her body to the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Memorials in her name may be sent to the Loretto Community, care of the Loretto Development Office, 4000 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Littleton, CO 80123-1308.
