Sister Emma Cecilia Busam

Sister Emma Cecilia Busam, 97, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 75th year of religious life. She was a native of Owensboro.

Sister Emma Cecilia was an accomplished teacher and artist who took great interest in her students. She later became an expert archivist, both for her community and the Diocese of Owensboro.

An educator for 38 years, she taught at St. Joseph School, Central City (1945-46), St. William School, Knottsville (1946-51), and in Owensboro at Blessed Mother School (1960-61) and Sts. Joseph and Paul School (1961-66, 1970-71). She was an art teacher at Brescia College (1960-66, 1970-82) and Owensboro Catholic High School (1971-82), as well as in the adult education program of the Owensboro Public Schools (1982-83). At Mount Saint Joseph, she was director of archives (1983-2001) and of the museum (1983-92). She served as archivist for the Diocese of Owensboro, 1991-2011, and upon her retirement, the archives were named in her honor.

Survivors include the members of her religious community; a sister, Mary Agnes Vance, of Connersville, Ind.; and nieces and nephews.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation begins Monday at 4 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m.

Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, is handling arrangements.

Donations in memory of Sister Emma Cecilia may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.