She was born Leona Page in Detroiton July 16, 1916, the daughter of Joseph and Juliana (Agnitsch) Page. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Ecorse,Michigan at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth. Leona received the name Sr.Marie Walter at her reception on January 7, 1935. She pronounced first vows on Jan. 8, 1937 and final vows on Jan. 8, 1940.
Sr. Page earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history fromNazareth College and a Master of Science degree from the University of Dayton in education and psychology.
For 30 years, Sr. Page ministered as a teacher and principal in several schools of the congregation including St. Margaret Mary, Detroit; St. Michael, Pontiac; St. Christopher, Marysville; and Immaculate Conception in Anchorville. For 26 years she worked at St. Francis Home for Boys as teacher, child care worker, and counselor. During this time she also administered psychological services to the Special Education Department in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Sr. Page retired in 1994, but continued to volunteer at St. Beatrice in Southfield and the Casa Richard Academy in Detroit.
Sr. Page is survived by many nieces and nephews. Her funeral Mass was Jan. 23 at the Holy Family Chapel at Nazareth.
Memorials to Congregation of St. Joseph, 3427 Gull Road, PO Box 29, Nazareth, Michigan 49074.
