We remember with gratitude the life of Sister Lucy Holguin who was a Sister of Notre
Dame for 79 years. She died peacefully at the age of 97 at Mercy Retirement and
Care Center in Oakland where she was lovingly cared for during the past fifteen
years.
Sister Lucy entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1946 after graduating
from Santa Barbara Catholic High School. A beloved elementary teacher for more
than 35 years, she taught in schools in Chico, Alameda, Campbell, Salinas, Los
Angeles, San Jose, Belmont, Honolulu, Santa Barbara, and Seahurst. Having
completed a Master's degree in Administration and Supervision, she served as
principal in four schools, including her own Alma Mater, Dolores School in Santa
Barbara.
In 1974 Sister Lucy participated in a program of spiritual renewal in Rome which
brought her into contact with the wider Notre Dame world. Ten years later, she
began her pastoral ministry as Director of Religious Education in her home parish of
Our Lady of Sorrows. After her retirement in 1998, she continued to share her gifts in
volunteer ministry in Santa Barbara for many years. Moving to Mercy Care and
Retirement Center in Oakland in 2010, she became an active member of the Notre
Dame community there and continued her volunteer ministry by reaching out to
other residents in whatever ways they needed.
Sisters of Notre Dame Foundress St. Julie Billiart was known for her charity and joy,
qualities that Lucy expressed throughout her life. Noted for her outgoing nature, love
of children, competent leadership, and openness to new ideas, Sister Lucy enjoyed
being a Sister and stated "I am grateful to be living in these times. It is exciting to
see how our religious life will change if we let it happen."
Daughter of Esequiel and Julia Holguin, and sister of Lucia Martinez Lopez, Max
Holguin, and Tom Holguin (all deceased), she is lovingly remembered by her nieces,
nephews, friends, co-workers, former students, and Sisters of Notre Dame de
Namur.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Sister Lucy at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 27 in
the Chapel at the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Province Center, 1520 Ralston
Avenue, in Belmont, California. The burial will be held at Mission Santa Clara at 2:30
pm.
Contributions in Sister Lucy's memory may be made to Sisters of Notre Dame de
Namur, 1520 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002 or online at snddeneastwest.org.

Further information about her life can be found at
https://snddeneastwest.org/sisters/lucy-holguin/.