Sister Maria Adelgondis ND 5059 PDF Download
Anna Tebroke
Maria Regina Province, Coesfeld / Germany
Date and Place of Birth: 12 April 1936 Rhedebrügge
Date and Place of Profession: 26 August 1960 Mülhausen
Date and Place of Death: 27 May 2026 Mülhausen, Haus Salus
Date and Place of Funeral: 03 June 2026 Mülhausen, Convent Cemetery
“Show me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your faithfulness.“ cf Ps 86:11
Sr. M. Adelgondis chose this verse from the Psalms as her guiding principle. Throughout her more than 65 years in religious life, she “lived” by these words, trusting in God’s faithfulness to her and responding with her own faithfulness to him.
Anna was the third of six children born to Johann and Maria Tebroke in Rhedebrügge (now part of the city of Bocholt); she had one older sister and four brothers. After graduating from the Catholic elementary primary and secondary school in her hometown, she initially worked on her parents’ farm while attending agricultural vocational school. She later worked on another farm.
Through her aunt (Sr. Maria Amona, †1985), she came to know the Sisters of Notre Dame and began her postulancy on October 30, 1957. At her investment, she received the name Sister M. Adelgondis. After her novitiate, Sr. M. Adelgondis initially worked in various kitchens, including those in Mülhausen and Düsseldorf. After earning her secondary school diploma at the Liebfrauen-Realschule in Ratingen and completing training in “administration,” she was assigned secretarial and administrative duties for the school, kindergarten, and boarding school in Mönchengladbach.
From 1996 until the merger of the German provinces in 2008, she served as provincial secretary. The provincial superior at the time, Sister Birgitt Maria, still praises the great reliability, precision, and joy with which Sr. Maria Adelgondis carried out the diverse tasks associated with the office. Whether in the kitchen, administration, the secretariat, or later in archival work: in every area, her fidelity to God, to people, and to her duties was evident. Everything had to be done 100 percent; she found it difficult to forgive even small mistakes. Beginning in 2008, Sr. M. Adelgondis devoted herself with great love and care, under professional guidance, to the provincial archives in Mülhausen, organizing them, bringing them up to date, and cataloging them in their entirety.
Sister Maria Adelgondis was a sociable person with a hearty, infectious laugh. She also came from a musical family. At parties, she would often pull out her accordion, bringing joy and entertainment to everyone.
For many years, one of the highlights of her year was participating in the Bocholt pilgrimage on foot to Kevelaer, the major Marian pilgrimage site on the Lower Rhine. The sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of it spoke volumes. She was also overjoyed to be able to visit the important sites in the Holy Land as a pilgrim.
After moving to Haus Salus in March 2022, Sr. Maria Adelgondis relished her “retirement”—now free from all responsibilities. She truly enjoyed it. As long as she was able, she went for a long walk every day, equipped with two walking sticks.
Despite all the uncertainties brought on by her advancing dementia, Sr. Maria Adelgondis continued on her path with unwavering faith. Until the very end, she remained very close to her family, especially her only surviving brother, Josef. A few days before her death, the two were able to say goodbye to one another.
We know that Sister Maria Adelgondi is now safely in God’s arms.
