June 25, 1926 – November 28, 2022
Sr. M. Valentina Eichinger was born on June 25, 1926, in Nahenfürst in the German Region of Oberpfalz. She was baptized on the following day in the Wald Parish Church, and given the name Magdalena; she was confirmed on May 10th, 1937.
Her parents were Sebastian and Katharina Eichinger.
Her mother died just before Christmas in 1928, when she was barely 2 1⁄2 years old.
It was moving to read in Sr. M. Valentina’s records that her mother gave each of her children her blessing before passing away!
Her father remarried, and his new wife was a very good mother to us children, she wrote.
Sr. M. Valentina had six siblings and three stepsiblings, who all went before her. Two of her natural sisters were members of our Congregation: Sr. M. Cordula Eichinger and Sr. Marie Eichinger.
After graduating from elementary and vocational school, Sr. M. Valentina entered the SSM Community here in Abenberg on November 7, 1946, receiving the habit on March 19, 1947 and subsequently trained in the convent in the usual way. She professed her perpetual vows on March 19, 1954. In 2009 she had the privilege to celebrate the diamond anniversary of her vows!
Her activities in the Congregation were as follows: from 1948 to 1949 she served in convent administration and at the convent gate; from 1949 to 1953 she served in hospital administration, where she was also secretary to the physicians; from 1953 to 1967 she went back to convent administration and the convent gate; from 1967 to 1973 she was assigned as local leader to the Maternal Convalescence Home in Denkendorf.
From 1973 to 1974 she attended Nursing Care School in Würzburg, from which she graduated as a registered nurse for the elderly. Subsequently she completed an internship at the Marienburg Hospital in Abenberg.
In 1975, Sr. M. Valentina was elected Provincial Superior. She served in this position for four years.
She was trained as an archivist from 1979 – 1982 and was already working as an archivist from 1979. She was very, very conscientious, reliable and correct in all things, which still benefits us today.
According to the records she kept, she concluded her work as an archivist in September 2007.
It was very hard on her when her two sisters, Sr. Cordula and Sr. Marie left for the United States on missionary work in 1949. So naturally she was delighted when both came home to Germany in 1980.
To us sisters and many other persons, even to the authorities, Sr. M. Valentina was a living archive. She knew absolutely everything. She put her heart and soul into her work as an archivist!
Sr M. Valentina spent her last years in our sisters’ home. She became more needy and weaker over time, so that she finally had to undergo dialysis treatment, which she discontinued shortly before her death. Due to health issues caused by the dialysis treatments she was hospitalized repeatedly in various clinics.
She longed to go home soon. And so, the Lord called her to Himself the afternoon hours of 28 November 2022.
She had the foresight to choose her own remembrance photograph many years ago, accompanied by the following words: “When God takes us home, our soul rejoices, for we are going to the one who loves us most.” P. Lippert SJ
Throughout her life, Sr. M. Valentina was a soft-spoken, modest and cheerful person. We will miss her in many ways!
Now that she is with the Lord, may she rest from her labors, enjoy His presence and intercede on our behalf.
Submitted by Sr. M. Elisabeth Hackenberg