Sr. Roderic Schaub, OP

2012 Golden Jubilarian

Born in California to a military family, she moved often throughout her childhood and eventually came to Columbus, Ohio. It was here, attending high school at the former St. Mary of the Springs Academy, that she first felt called to convert to Catholicism and later to join the congregation of Sisters that taught her. This year, Sr. Roderic Schaub, OP, celebrates 50 years since her First Profession of Vows as a Dominican Sister.

Holding a degree in education, Sr. Roderic spent much of her ministerial life in primary school classrooms, where she especially enjoyed teaching first- and second-graders. Her career in education brought her to schools in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. She served as principal at several grade schools, including Aquinas (1975-78) and Holy Rosary (1978-82) in Steubenville, Ohio, and St. James the Less (1982-90) in Columbus. She was known as an exceptional primary teacher and was dearly beloved as a principal.

In a change of ministerial direction in 1990, Sr. Roderic accepted her congregation’s call to serve in the position of maintenance director for their Motherhouse and Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus. Her years in administration and other leadership roles prepared her well as she oversaw major renovations to the care center. Her goal, she said at that time, was not only to ensure the 1956 building would meet current codes of the day, but that it also would be a simple but comfortable place of respite and healing for its residents then and in future.

After seven years in this role, Sr. Roderic took a yearlong sabbatical at a hermitage in Kentucky. Upon returning, she found a new way to use her skills in teaching - as a tutor for the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of Columbus. In 2002, her life of apostolic service was cut short when, while on pilgrimage in Italy, she suffered a severe stroke that left her severely disabled. Since then, she has lived at Mohun Health Care Center, where she enjoys residing in the wonderful building she helped to improve more than a decade before, embracing a ministry of prayer and presence.

To make a donation in honor of Sr. Roderic Schaub, click here.