Sister Charlotte breaks records at IHM

At age 106, Sister Charlotte (Coletta) Walby just achieved two milestones. She celebrated her birthday Tuesday.

Sister Charlotte is now the oldest Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister in the community's more than 175-year history. That title was previously held by Sister Marie Dorothy Eagan, who died in 1998 at age 105.

Sister Charlotte also is now the longest-serving IHM in history. She’s been a Sister for more than 88 years. That title was previously held by Sister Rose Xavier Dunn, who died in 2014.

On her birthday, five generations of Sister Charlotte’s family visited her at the IHM Senior Living Community in Monroe. Also attending were IHM Sisters.

Sister Charlotte celebrated with her favorite treat, a milkshake from Independent Dairy.

Family members who were not able to attend participated in a video call. The callers were from North Carolina, California and Indiana.

Sister Charlotte grew up in Ohio and first visited the IHM Motherhouse in 1932, to attend her cousin’s reception.

“As soon as she walked in and saw a statue of the Blessed Mother in the alcove, she turned to her mother and said, ‘This is the place,’” the IHM Communications Department staff said.

For a year she exchanged letters with the postulate mistress and prepared to enter the community while attending high school.

As a nun, Sister Charlotte taught in Erie and in seven different dioceses over 42 years. She also worked at St. Mary Conference Center and was a chaplain for the former Mercy Memorial Hospital.

“My life as an IHM has been a prayerful journey that is impossible to measure, for which I am eternally grateful,” Sister Charlotte said.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Sister Charlotte breaks records at IHM