Sister Alma Christi Seeber, beloved Sister of St. Joseph, died on February 8, 2010; her Mass of Resurrection and her burial took place at St. Joseph Villa on February 12.
Sister Alma, who was baptized Marlene, was one of three children born to John and Margaret Seeber. She and her brother and sister attended St. Francis of Assisi school in Germantown. Alma later attended St. Mary Academy and after graduation, worked for a year at Bell Telephone Co.; it was at this time, in 1956, that she responded to God’s call and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Alma’s sense of the spiritual began early in her life, in her home. Her parents, active members of St. Francis parish, were models for her of loving generosity of a spirit of caring. Alma liked to tell the story of the work that her parents did in fundraising so that the dream of building St. Joseph Villa would become a reality. One fundraiser was in the form of a huge card party to be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Philadelphia. Her mother canvassed prizes from the merchants up and down Germantown Avenue; her dad was in charge of selling chances. At the actual event, her dad reportedly greeted the guests with 50-50 tickets, telling anyone who bought a ticket, “I thank you and St. Joseph thanks you.” They later volunteered at the Villa and spent their final years there.
Alma had this same zeal for good works and for service and kindness to others. She was close to her parents and to her sister Peggy and her brother Jack. She was also kind and caring for the sisters and others with whom she lived and worked. Many years ago, a family whom she knew experienced a tragedy through the loss of their youngest daughter in a traffic accident. Each year, whatever the circumstances, Alma called the parents of the youngster on the anniversary of her death to let them know that her prayers and thoughts were with them.
The sense of service to and caring for others expanded to her ministry. She served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the dioceses of Harrisburg, Newark and Camden. She was a teacher, vocation director, activities office staff member, learning center instructor, physical therapy aide, and senior center aide. Certainly, not the least of her ministries was her presence to others as a Villa resident.
Alma was most of all, a woman of faith who trusted in her God. She identified with Christ and carried her own cross courageously and with patient endurance, learning from and through Christ, a deeper empathy and concern for the suffering of others. She identified with Him on earth, so now she enters into His glory to be with him in eternity. With Christ’s mother she can proclaim the words of the Magnificat, “For He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name.”
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