Associate Mary Elizabeth Rensing

December 1, 1929-April 17, 2022

Bear your share of heartship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Associate Betty Rensing grew up in a close-knit and loving family. She had fond memories of attending St. Dominic as an elementary student, saying she loved her Sisterteachers and was impressed by their friendliness and “humanness.” She particularly enjoyed Sisters Marie Dolores Heitz and Joseph Miriam Berning and often asked to be S. Joseph Miriam’s “prudent companion” on her bus trips downtown. Her father frequently chauffeured the Sisters back and forth from the Mount on Sunday mornings so they could attend the childrens’ Mass.

Lack of transportation to Seton required that Betty and her sister Mary attend the two-year St. Xavier Commercial School downtown. While she was impressed with the Sisters of Notre Dame, Betty’s heart was always with the Sisters of Charity. Following high school, she worked in the business world until August 1950. After accompanying a friend to the Mount for a Sunday visit, Betty began preparation and entrance into the Sisters of Charity. She entered on Sept. 8, 1950 and left under guidance from her spiritual director on June 1, 1972.

Finding adjustment to the secular life as natural as adjustment to religious life, Betty continued her role as secretary to the medical and dental staff at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Shortly after she reconnected with an old friend, Joseph Rensing, they began dating and soon after were married. The couple became parishioners at St. James Church in White Oak.

She once said, “I believe the Lord was (and is) lovingly guiding and protecting me; I see His hand in all stages of my life. He planted in my heart, long ago as a child, that attraction and affection for the Sisters of Charity. I have never lost that desire to share in the life and mission of the Sisters. I believe that joining the Associates program will lead me in that direction.”

On Jan. 2, 1994, Betty made her commitment as an Associate in Mission of the Sisters of Charity stating she most looked forward to nurturing friendships with women who possess goals, interests, and lifestyles like her own.

In her free time Betty enjoyed watercolor art and exhibited at numerous arts and crafts shows in the area. She volunteered in the Archives of the Sisters of Charity and devoted much time to working on projects with the Sisters in the Arts and Crafts Room. She also served as an instructor for the LifeLearn program at Mount St. Joseph University.

Associate Rita Brandewiede remembers Betty as a good friend and caring person. “Betty loved to tell me stories of when she was a Sister of Charity, especially while at St. Gabriel’s and how the mothers would have special tea parties for the Sisters in Glendale.”