Sister Bernadette Hajovsky, CDP
February 28, 1940 – July 28, 2020
Sister Bernadette, (formerly Sister Charles Frances) Hajovsky, CDP, entered eternal life on July 28, 2020 at the age of 80. Sister Bernadette (baptized Otilia Bernadette) was born February 28, 1940 in San Angelo, Texas to John Charles and Julia Frances (Krajca) Hajovsky. She answered God’s call to become a Sister of Divine Providence on June 21, 1959 and professed first vows on June 22, 1960. She loved being an elementary teacher.
Sister Bernadette attended three Catholic schools and was taught by the Incarnate Word Sisters in Houston and the Sisters of St. Mary before her family returned to Rowena, Texas. There she was taught by the Sisters of Divine Providence from 5th to 12th grade. It was during her junior year in high school that she attended a presentation by Fr. John Ryan, OMI on vocations. His question, “I wonder how many of you will be willing to make the sacrifice to be priests, brothers or sisters,” stayed with her. She wondered the same. By graduation, she felt energized by this question. Sister Bernadette entered Our Lady of the Lake Convent the following September. Four years later she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Our Lady of the Lake College, San Antonio, Texas.
Sister Bernadette taught in Texas for a span of 23 years in elementary schools located in Fredericksburg, Brenham, El Campo, Fayetteville, Beeville. This included ten years as the librarian at Saints Peter and Paul School in New Braunfels. Later, her talent as a seamstress was discovered and she served her Congregation in this capacity for an additional 20 years. She made suits and coats, and relined coats. She also made habits for the Franciscan Conventual seminarians.
She is survived by cousins, friends and her Sisters of Divine Providence. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Charles and Julia Frances Hajovsky and an infant brother.
A rosary and prayer service will be held on Tuesday. A Mass of Resurrection and burial will take place on Wednesday. All services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of Divine Providence, 515 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, Texas 78207-4619.
Obituary (pdf)