“Entering Clyde was God’s doings. Just before I came I had this dream: I saw Jesus carrying His cross up a steep bluff, along a path with brambles etc. I quickly offered to help. He looked at me and I started off to help. The path was very difficult to climb. Jesus would look back at me and stop a bit, while I tried to hurry and help Him. I’d almost get to Him, and He’d start again. Each attempt was stopped because of that path. Finally I woke up. Though I never got to help Him, I never lost sight of Him. My consolation was that He always let me see Him."

Estell Mary Ann Schaffer was born to George G. Schaffer and Lucy Ann O’Rourke September 26, 1916, on a little farm township near Welch, Minnesota. Estell was the fifth-born of six children, the only girl, “and I always desired to be as big and strong as my brothers because my parents didn’t want a girl.” In her early years Estell’s family ran two farms, but when her mother’s health gave out they sold the farms, bought a cafe, and moved to Monticello, MN.  "I  waited on tables and helped cook when I was ten years old. "

A job in which Estell took great pride was being chauffeur to the parish priest (who sent four young women to the Clyde). In 1936 she drove him to Clyde for the Profession of Sr. M. Louise Brouillard. “When I got down here, I wasn’t interested. One of the sisters, Sr. DePazzi, took me out for a walk and said, ‘Would you be interested?’ I said, ‘Not particularly, but if you want—’ And she said, ‘Do you want to talk to Mother?’ I said, ‘Whatever you say.’ So I went in and put on what I thought was a bad front, saying, ‘I sit on my feet, am subject to severe headaches, and have hay fever.’ Her response was, ‘Oh, that doesn't bother.’ So she talked to me for a while and gave me the papers... My folks ran a grocery store. When I came home and showed the papers to them they said, ‘You can’t do such a thing!’ I had to take care of the store and all that stuff. I said, ‘I’m going October 17th.’ That was already August. I entered October 17, 1936. That was it.”

Estell entered with two others. “Our postulant director was strict, in a way. We baffled her because we were a little bit natural. You know, no superficial holiness. But we got through.” Estell made 1st Profession on August 27, 1938 and was given the name Sr. Mary Fortunata. She made Perpetual Vows September 1, 1943. (In 1968 she changed her name to Sr. Mary Estell.)

Through the years Sr. Estell worked in many areas: sewing, laundry, canning, baking, Altar Bread, and maintenance. She is best remembered however, for her skill in the kitchen. Not only a proficient manager, she was a true culinary artist who prepared and served delicious meals with love. Spare time hobbies were handcrafts and reading. During the years when private reading wasn’t “encouraged” she found a late-night hideout where she read books that one of the sisters managed to get from a library. Sr. Estell lived in Clyde, Kansas City, San Benito (California), and Tucson.

In 1974, while she was in charge of maintenance and kitchen in Tucson, the community began a program of feeding the poor who came to the door. Estell fixed egg sandwiches and coffee daily. “There were different types who would come, poor men, families, a little girl who had run away from home, and even a medical student who had no money for food.”

Sr. Estell touched the lives of many people. Some twenty years later she received a letter from a man who was fed daily by her hand. “Some friends that I have today are people I met while eating sandwiches and drinking coffee in that quiet garden which served as a retreat from a cold difficult world. Each day we formed a line and climbed a few steps to await the appointed hour when the door would open and we received our coffee and sandwiches from a diminutive, smiling nun we all knew as 'the Egg Lady.’ I still see many of the friends I met there, and you are often remembered in conversation. We are grateful for all your kindnesses. You had a profound effect on all of our lives and we are better people because of you. Thank you. We will never forget you.” Sr. Estell, with the help of Sr. Laurann, fed the poor from 1974 - 1981.

After that Estell was transferred to Clyde. She later said, “For many years I prayed never to have to come back to Clyde, dead or alive; so I will always remember what great love and peace flooded my entire self upon my return.” She worked in the Altar Bread Department, until she moved to our St. Louis infirmary, then to our health care facility at Clyde in 2002. In infirmity and health, Estell’s warm, ready smile and positive spirit endeared her to people.

Sr. Estell bears witness to the power of God’s grace. Though her life was not easy, she was full of gratitude. Reflecting on some of the struggles in her religious life she said, “I appreciate the Congregation. I never felt like leaving. I made this step, period - no matter how hot it got, and it got hot, whew! Life is a very precious gift and a gift we should appreciate by demonstrating deep sincere joy. God is with us always, so why should we not smile and breathe a fervent ‘thank you?”’

In retrospect, Sr. Estell’s dream prior to entering the convent was a prophetic message. Though eager to help Jesus carry His cross, she didn’t have the sense that she was able to help Him - but in community she surely bore the weight of the cross, as well as lifting the burden from others. And upon her waking from the dream she felt the consolation of not having lost sight of Him. And now, upon her ultimate awakening, He will let her see Him face to face forever.  Sister M. Estell died on June 29, 2005.