In Memory of Sister Kevin Cummings

January 19, 1928 – November 6, 2010

Sister Kevin Cummings (Beverly) is the daughter of Francis and Eula (Lamb) Cummings, was born Beverly Anne Cummings on January 19, 1928 in Waterloo, IA.  She entered the Sisters of the Presentation in 1945 and professed her perpetual vows on May 3, 1951.

She received her BA from Loras College, Dubuque, IA, her MA from Dominican University (formerly Rosary College, River Forest, IL and did graduate studies at Eastern Kentucky University, University of Iowa, University of Montana at Missoula, University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, and the Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Her Presentation career, spanning 58 years, took her to Waukon, Mason City, St. Columbkille, Dubuque (1957-1958), Storm Lake, Fairbank, Ryan, Farley, Algona, Charles City, Waterloo, and Sioux City, all in IA and Timber Lake, SD. Her ministries included teaching, librarian, and archivist.

With her entire religious life centered on the field of education, she taught elementary and high school, CCD and RVS classes, was a TAG volunteer, worked on the RCIA team, was a volunteer hospital chaplain, helped tutor immigrants in the English language and took communion to the homebound.  Sister retired to Mt. Loretto in 2003 and continued to use her archivist skills to update the community annals, and did volunteer tutoring at the Presentation Lantern Center. She was an accomplished writer of poetry; she enjoyed doing art work, photography and playing the autoharp and harmonica. She was always willing to share her knowledge with anyone interested in learning a new skill. Symbolizing her love of life, Sister stated recently, “When I get settled in heaven, I’m going to dance, play musical instruments, sing, paint, and do all the things I’d like to be able to do well.”

Surviving is her sister, J. Joyce Cummings Carpenter, nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 65 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, F. Gene, Clair Vincent, and James Francis.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, IA 52001 or online at www.dubuquepresentations.org.