Sister Maureen Griffin, O.S.B., 93, died peacefully at St Martin Monastery on Sunday, Dec . 4. She was born March 27, 1918 in Omaha, Nebraska to Patrick Michael Griffin and Emma Maud Tulburt. Her family moved to a farm east of Sturgis. She received her elementary education in a country school and her secondary education at St. Martins Academy . For five years following her graduation in 1937, she was employed as a receptionist at St. Josephs Hospital in Omaha. Because she wanted to take care of people, she chose nursing as a career. She was influenced by the scripture passage which describes the final judgment: Then the king will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father and possess the kingdom prepared for you. For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drinkill and you cared for me. (Matthew 25: 34-37) Sister Maureen attended St. Johns Hospital School of Nursing in Rapid City and graduated in 1949. She entered the Benedictine Convent of St. Martin in Sturgis and professed her perpetual vows in 1954. Her first assignment in nursing was caring for Mother Lucia who had a lingering illness. After several months, she was sent to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Hot Springs as a medical and surgical nurse. From there, she went to St. Josephs Hospital in Deadwood as a night supervisor and obstetrical nurse, and later back to Hot Springs until the hospital closed in 1964. In 1965 she returned to Deadwood where she was named the Outstanding Employee for the months of August and September in 1985. She spent a total of 37 years at St. Josephs and was the last Benedictine Sister to serve at the Northern Hills General Hospital. In addition to her nursing duties, she taught weekly Religious Education classes in St. Ambrose Parish. After her retirement in 1988, she continued teaching in the parish. Retirement offered opportunities for new beginnings. For these, she attended classes in Clinical Pastoral Care and in Hospice Care so she could care for patients in their homes. In addition to her faithful communal recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, Sister Maureen had great devotion to the Blessed Mother and to the rosary which she led every day with the other sisters in the health care. She often attended Marian Conferences. She is survived by her Benedictine Community, a brother, Leo (Catherine) Griffin, a nephew, Mark (Norma) Griffin, a niece Maureen Griffin (James ) Millim, and several great nieces and nephews. Sister will be brought back to the Monastery at 5:30 on Friday December 9th. She will be welcomed by her Sisters. The Vigil Service will begin at 6:30. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, December 10th at 10:00 with Bishop Robert Gruss presiding. Burial will be at St. Martin Cemetery.