From Gerard A

From Gerard A, (Jerry) Morrow Class 1953

(In honor of what would have been of sister Martha's 90th birthday.)
I took the picture and designed the card "In Memoriam Sister Martha Vrba". . . I am also including a poem I wrote , while recapturing the feelings beginning with my first day at Moye in September 1951. (See both below.)

Orphaned at 12 and separated from my only brother four months previous, I had been traumatized only to be rescued by "Divine Providence" via Sisters Martha and Archangela.

A wife, three sons, and four grandchildren later I count the blessings and character that were instilled in me during the two years spent at Moye. My beloved family has been enriched beyond all knowing because of Sister Martha and Moye.

Poem by Jerry Morrow:
Farewell Queen Mother of "Moye boys"
'Twas through your strengths we received strength
    Through your fervent heart, Faith
'Twas from your discipline we learned merit
    Through your persistence, Character
'Twas through your diligence we aquired resolve
    Through vigilant caring, Respect
Your wondrous imprint of life is forever with us

From Hector Almeida:
. . . . perhaps because some times we think that some persons are so outstanding (they will) never end, . . we pupils will always remember her smile, walking through the halls, classrooms, dormitories, dining room, all the things involving our dear Moye school, and knowing that not in vain we will keep her love, and her knowledge in our minds and in our memories for the rest of our lives.

From Deacon Earl Colley
    It was with deep sadness and also joy filled relief, that I read your message on the death of Sister Martha Vrba.
    I, along with all the 'guys' who marched and ran on those holy grounds will miss her, but we know that she is a better place. I will be sure to include Sister in my daily office.
    I attended MMS (41-46) before I went on to Central Catholic in San Antonio. I now teach Theology at Holy Cross!
    By the way, sister Martha rescued me from a horse that was sick with rabies. Despite her strictness, she showed me tenderness as the doctor patched me up. I believe that she went with me to get those shots later on, and she bribed me with ice cream to be brave almost each time.
    The many times that I have been at Moye for the ACTS retreat, I recall many of those days, including the summer camps during those war years there. I use to hate to go out to Castroville at the start of each school year, but now I find myself singing while I go there. Funny what a few years will do to your 'fears.'

From Gary Murphy

From the Summer of '43 through the Spring of '51 Moye Military School was my childhood home. My mothers were all around me, Sr Mary Jane, Sr Martha, Sr Archangela, Sr Gaudentia, Sr Liberta, Sr Felicia, Sr Emeline, During most of that time, their driving force was Sister Martha, my "mother-in-chief".

I was sent to Moye to escape an alcoholic mother and I eagerly accepted the change. To me, Sister Martha was the Grand Lady of my whole world. She encouraged Excellence, exacted Discipline, and taught me Goodness and Knowledge.

Long after all of us were gone from those portals at MMS, I had the pleasure of visiting Sr Martha many times at OLL. She was my guest at the annual Diocesan Conference of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in San Antonio and we met Olivia DeHaviland, who was a guest speaker at the event. I'll never forget that evening...she was so happy and radiant, not in small part because her "girls" from Central High were performing a chorale at the event.

Many times, when passing through San Antonio in my travels as a salesman, I visited Sister and took her to lunch. She was always so glad to see me, and I just beamed because she filled that spot in my heart that had been left vacant when I graduated from MMS in 1951.

Seeing her at the reunions in 1990 and 2001 was such a thrill. I was convinced she would outlive all of us. I knew she loved all of us equally; but, I think I loved her more than any of the other boys did. I am so proud to have know her as my spiritual mother in this life. There must be many, many stars in her crown.