Sister Marquita Murguia

Sister Marquita Murguia died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at Mount Joseoh Senior Villa in Concordia, KS. She was 93 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 74 years. She was born in El Paso, TX on September 16, 1921, to Manuel and Maria Gonzales Murquia, the first of two children, and was baptized Lydia. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS on August 18, 1940. On March 18, 1941, Lydia received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Marquita. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1942 and final vows on August 15, 1946.
Sister Marquita graduated in 1958 with a B.A. in Art from Marymount College, Salina, KS, followed by a M.A. in Art from Notre Dame University in South Bend, IN. S. Marquita taught in schools staffed by Sisters of St. Joesph in Pfeifer, Park, Salina, KS, Boonville, MO, Grand Island, NE, Seguin, Junction City, KS and in El Paso, TX. Her works of art were shown in several exhibits in the United States winning several awards. In 2012 she returned to Kansas to retire at the Motherhouse in Concordia.
Sister Marquita was preceded in death by her parents and sister. She is survived by cousins, nieces and nephews. A Bible Vigil Service will be held on April 16, 2015, 7:00p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Rita Plante as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on April 17, 2015, in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Nutter Mortuary, 116 E. 6th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Marquita Murguia may be given to Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O. Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.