Sister Mary Clare Reineberg, ASC
Known for her vibrant personality, infectious laughter and genuine love of people, Sister brought joy wherever she went.
Sister will be welcomed home to St. Anne's Retirement Community Chapel, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 AM and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM.
Inurnment will be at the convent cemetery in Columbia, PA.
Sister Mary Clare Reineberg, ASC, 99 years old, was born in York PA on Feb 21, 1927, the third child of Jacob and Salome Aulbach Reineberg. She remained a vowed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 73 years until her death on Friday morning, July 24, 2026 at St Anne's Retirement Community in Columbia, PA.
She had 2 older siblings: A sister, Mary R. Burchard and a brother Jacob Reineberg. They were a close-knit family and lived a very full and rich life.
As the youngest, she enjoyed the favor of her family, especially her father, and there was much laughter and comical things during gatherings with the extended family.
From a young age, she enjoyed the theatre and acting, and while at York Catholic High School, began acting in the York Little Theatre. In the summer of 1945, she joined the Mt. Gretna Summer Theatre. The following year, she traveled to New York and enrolled in the Harrison Lewis School of Drama and the Brooklyn Playhouse while working part time as a tour guide at Rockefeller Center. There, Donald Montgomery, a Hollywood agent, recognized her beauty and talent. He brought her to Hollywood and got her an audition. She played in "Mr. Belvedere Goes to College" with Clifton Webb and Shirley Temple. At that time, she changed her name to Elaine Ryan, because it sounded better and was short!
The Hollywood life didn't hold her heart for long. Once Sister recalled, "I kept searching and praying with all my heart to know just what God's secret was for my life." In the early 1950's, after spending some time with her sister and relatives in Colorado and Oklahoma, she returned to York. She was proud that her family owned and operated Reineberg's Shoe and Repair in York.
After some time back home, she made a retreat at St Joseph's Convent with women from the Diocese of Harrisburg. St Joseph's Convent was the Motherhouse of Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Columbia, and, where her cousin, Sister Cleta Marie was a member. She was inspired with the joy and work of the Sisters.
This led her enter the religious community, Adorers of the Blood of Christ (A.S.C.) on August 12, 1952. Sister made final profession on August 12, 1959. Her ministries included elementary teaching, being the community's first full-time Vocation Directress, and as a certified Pastoral Care Chaplain for almost 20 years. She ministered to countless students, patients, families and Sisters with compassion, warmth and unwavering faith.
Known for her vibrant personality, infectious laughter and genuine love of people, Sister brought joy wherever she went. She especially treasured time with her extended family and her Sisters in community. And, as she would say, "My favorite meal is breakfast, it is the best meal of the day!"
Her parents and siblings are deceased. She is survived by loving nieces, nephews, cousins and their families, as well as her Sisters Adorers.
Memorial gifts may be made to the ASC Sisters Retirement Fund, 4233 Sulphur Ave. St. Louis MO 63109 or at www.adorers.org or Day of Stay (St Anne's Retirement Community), https://stannesrc.org/sponsor-a-day-of-stay or 717-285-5443.
Sister will be welcomed home to St. Anne's Retirement Community Chapel, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 AM and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Inurnment will be at the convent cemetery in Columbia, PA. All services will be presided by Father J.D. Jaffe a member of the extended family.
Sister Mary Clare, may you dance with the stars and enjoy all the chocolate you'd like. Now, all your faithful prayers have been heard: You see your God face-to-face!
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