"There is only one Clyde in the world and I can never thank God enough for arranging things that I might be here." So wrote Sister M Theophane fifty-four years after entering the novitiate at Clyde.

Grace Leone Trites probably would never have learned of Clyde had not God intervened, for she was the daughter of devout Baptist parents, Lewis and Phebe Trites of DeWitt, Iowa, where she was born April 5, 1888. Two sisters - Edna, who died at the age of seventeen when Grace was eight years old, and Elsie, who died in infancy four years before Grace was born - were all the family she had. Her father, too, died when she was still quite young, leaving her alone with her widowed mother, with whom she developed a close companionship.

Sister's earliest recollections are of her mother teaching her to pray and sing hymns to Jesus. The precious gift of Catholic Faith, she believed, came through the faith-filled example of her mother. 

When riding on a train at the age of ten, Grace saw Catholic Sisters for the first time. Fascinated, she studied them closely from head to foot, noting every item of their clothing. After that she delighted in dressing like a Sister, imitating their habit as best she could. Later, when some Sisters from Milwaukee came to teach in a new academy near her home (then in Creighton, Nebraska) her mother gave permission for her to continue her music study there. This further contact brought her much joy.

After finishing her education, Grace taught music for two years. During this time her mother became gravely ill and died. Her longing to become a Sister increased, and she planned to enter a Baptist training school for foreign missions in Chicago. By a providential arrangement she lived with Catholic Sisters. Subsequently she attended a Catholic college in Dubuque. Within a few months she was baptized, and received her First Holy Communion at Christmas Midnight Mass.

Failing health directed her moving to Colorado. After a time she joined a group of catechists teaching in a Jesuit Indian Mission in the State of Washington. An elderly Jesuit suggested that she enter a very small Benedictine convent in that area. After only six months in the novitiate the superior died and the community was dissolved. Through the intervention of the Bishop and Abbot Frowin of Conception, the Sisters were received into the Clyde community. Accordingly, Grace entered at Clyde on May 8, 1916, along with Sister Margaret Mary Witwer, one of the group, and also a convert, who figured largely in her conversion. The two newcomers found themselves among thirty-seven young Sisters and Novices. All were silent as they entered, but a tall Sister stepped forward, holding out her arms, and from that moment, Sister M Thiadildis was looked upon as her 'guiding star.'

Grace made her profession as a religious on Feb. 9, 1918, taking the name of Sister M. Theophane. Perpetual vows followed on July 1, 1923. Meanwhile Sister had spent some years at the small foundation Clyde had made in Chewelah, Washington, helping with the general work and giving music lessons, When the Chewelah community was recalled to Clyde, Sister taught music at St. Joseph's Academy. Also her fine needlework was a valuable asset to the embroidery department.

In September, 1941 sister became a member of the Mundelein community, and in 1944 transferred to Kansas City. In addition to teaching music, she also served as portress for a time, Subsequently she returned to Clyde where she remained until 1975.

During most of her life Sister was in poor health so she lived in the infirmary most of the time in her later years. When St. Benedict's Health Care Center was opened in St. Louis in 1975, Sister was one of the first patients. With a continuing decline in health, she spent most of her time in bed or in a wheel-chair, and finally in a large arm chair.  One of her favorite prayers was an adaptation of the Hail Mary to honor St.Joseph: "Hail, Joseph, ever just, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among men. and blessed is Mary, thy Spouse, of whom was born Jesus. Holy Joseph, virgin father of the Redeemer, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." 

Rosary after rosary was prayed, intermingled with short prayers, as she sat in her chair or when sleep evaded her at night. As long as her hearing permitted, she loved to listen to musical tapes and other recordings

Sister M. Theophane died quietly and peacefully late afternoon on August 18, 1980, while the Sisters were singing Vespers. Those watching with her sensed another Presence in her room.

 She was ninety- two years, the senior member of our Congregation at the time. The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated for her at 8:30 the morning of Aug. 20th, after which her body was transferred to her beloved Clyde and laid to rest in Mount Calvary Cemetery the following day. 

Consecration of Virgins and the celebration of her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were among her most cherished privileged.