Osage County, Oklahoma, Obituary:  OPAL DELOS RECTOR

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joann Brazee
Osage County News Service (OCNS)
http://ocns.freeyellow.com/
Email: ocns@hotmail.com
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OPAL DELOS RECTOR

OCNS - May 30, 2002 - Opal Delos Rector, 74, native of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, 
passed away Sunday, May 26, 2002 at her residence in Phoenix, Arizona while 
fighting a lengthy battle with cancer.

Ms Rector was born July 25, 1927 in Pawhuska, the daughter of Fred and Dora 
(St. John) Rector.   She attended the St. Louis School in Pawhuska and 
graduated from St. Scholastica School in Fort Smith, Arkansas.   She was a 
world-renowned artist, being associated with the Wurlitzer Foundation.   
She had also worked for many years as a Court Bailiff in the Maricopa 
(Arizona) County Judicial System.   She was a member of the Most Holy 
Trinity Catholic Church in Phoenix.

In 1980, Opal was diagnosed with breast cancer which soon spread to other 
parts of her body.   It was at this time she was urged by a friend to pray 
to the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, whom was said "to never have left a 
prayer unanswered".   Opal did so, and remarkable things began to happen.   
The cancer was in remission.   Opal had experienced a spiritual rebirth in 
her life as well.   She was instrumental in the formation of the Blessed 
Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine which is currently under construction on the 
grounds of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pawhuska.   In the 
year 2000, Opal was awarded the Blessed Kateri Award for her outstanding 
work in sharing the knowledge of Kateri through holy cards, pamphlets, 
statues and medals as well as Masses for Kateri's canonization.

Surviving family are:   two nieces, Carla Powell and Dana Sellers, both of 
Pawhuska; five nephews, Larry Sellers, Robert Sellers, Ted Sellers, Carl 
"Chico" Sellers and Charles Rector, all of Pawhuska; two half-sisters, 
Marilyn Hopper and Treva Strahan of Tulsa; one half-brother, Jimmy Rector 
of Tulsa; numerous great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews 
and a multitude of other family members and friends.

Opal will lie in state at the Olivia Lookout residence in Indian Camp, 
Pawhuska, where Rosary will be said Thursday, May 30, at 7:00 p.m., with 
members of the Kateri Shrine Committee officiating.   Traditional Indian 
Services will be at 8:00 a.m., Friday, May 31, at the Lookout residence 
with Mongrain Lookout officiating.   Funeral Mass will be Friday, May 31, 
in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Pawhuska with Father Leonard 
Higgins officiating.   Interment will be in the Pierce St. John Cemetery, 
south of Pawhuska.

Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangement.