To the older generation in Rohrbach, the name “Sister Leopolda” is certainly familiar, as she worked for many years at “de Kinnerschul” on the former “Gartenstraße.” She lovingly and caring looked after the children, who all grew very dear to her heart. “Everyone is dear, each in their own way. You can’t help it; you have to love them all,” were her empathetic words from a newspaper article in 1960. With her, the children were allowed to live carefree days, building their own world where they were the center. At that time, 145 children between the ages of 3 and 6 attended kindergarten every morning and noon. For Sister Leopolda, working with the children was a calling. She was happy and content, and the children could feel that. Calm and gentle, she gave her instructions; never was a harsh word heard. She knew how to deal with the children and understood the strengths and weaknesses of each individual. Her love, her smile, and her humility will be remembered by many former pupils.
Sr. M. Leopolda (Magdalena) was born on May 31, 1924, in Niederwürzbach/Saar.
The elementary school years, a one-year home economics course at the Mallersdorf Monastery, and a commercial one-year course at a private institution in Zweibrücken were among the stages of her educational/vocational training. The actual training to become a kindergarten teacher, her "life’s profession," took place from 1946 to 1948 at the Kindergarten Teachers' Seminar in Landstuhl.
On May 3, 1949, she entered the postulancy of the monastery, was vested on November 21, 1949, and took her first profession on December 8, 1950. Her first assignment in a kindergarten took her to Rohrbach in 1951. In 1963, she moved to the then children's recreation home in Kirchenarnbach. In 1965, she was then sent to Blickweiler, where she devoted her strength with great love to the little ones as a "children's school sister" and for a long time also served in the church and sacristy duties.
In 1996, Sister Leopolda came to St. Ingbert and lived in the convent "Auf der Meß." For many years, she took care of decorating the chapel with her creative ideas and assisted with sacristy duties.
In late 2017, her health condition necessitated a transfer to the hospital ward of the motherhouse St. Dominikus in Speyer.
Sister Leopolda passed away on June 26, 2022, at the blessed age of 98.
