Sister Mary Estelle Covins, IHM died in Camilla Hall on Aril 25, 2023. Sister recently celebrated her 83rd birthday on March 13. Sister Estelle was in the 58th year of her religious life.
Elaine Marie Covins was born March 13, 1940, in Washington, D.C. Her parents Vincent Covins and Ellen (Fitzer) Covins raised their family in St Thomas More Parish in Arlington, VA.
Elaine Marie Covins attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School in Washington, D.C. (1945-1947) and St. Thomas More Elementary in Arlington, VA. She attended High School at the Academy of Notre Dame in Washington, D.C. (1954-1958). Later while in Community, Sister earned an A.B. degree from Immaculata College and an M.A. from St. Charles Seminary.
Elaine entered the Community on September 8, 1964; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Mary Estelle, on June 28, 1965. Sister pronounced her First Vows on June 28, 1967.
During Sister Estelle’s teaching ministry, August 1967-August 2012, Sister taught children in elementary grades in several dioceses. Sister taught second and fourth grade children in St. James in Savannah, GA. Sister worked with first grade children in St. Monica, Philadelphia and Epiphany in Miami, FL. Sister taught eighth graders at St. Margaret in Reading; St. Dominic, Philadelphia; St. Martin of Tours, Philadelphia; and St. James in Falls Church, Virginia. Sister returned to Epiphany in Miami and taught sixth graders; then to Immaculate Conception, Somerville, NJ where she worked with fourth graders and continued to do so at SS. Peter & Paul in Decatur, GA. Sister Estelle rounded out her classroom teaching at St. Michael School in Annandale, VA where she taught fifth graders. With all her teaching experience, Sister Mary Estelle then tutored children in the Honors Math program for eight years at St. Rose of Lima in Miami as well as offering general assistance at where needed.
In August 2012, Sister Mary Estelle joined the Apostolate of Prayer/Service Community at Camilla Hall where she served faithfully until her death on April 25, 2023.
Sister Mary Estelle Covins’ IHM Community, her Camilla Hall Community, her band members and her sisters Toni Caggiano, Tina Shope and Paula Covins (Lee) and her brother Stephen Covins (Marilyn), and her niece, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews survive Sister Mary Estelle. Sister’s parents Vincent E. Covins and Ellen May Covins (Fitzer), her brother Vincent Covins and brother-in-law John Caggiano predecease Sister.
Reverend John Burger, SSC celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355