Sister Pauline (formerly Sr. Mary Agnesetta) SL died Feb. 18, 2024, at Loretto Living Center, Nerinx, KY. She was 91 and in the 72nd year of her Loretto commitment. Born Jan. 25, 1933, Brainard, NE. Daughter of Anna A. (Novacek) and Francis E Albin. Received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross April 25, 1952. She earned a B.A. in elementary education in 1956 from Webster University, St. Louis, and an M.Ed. in education in 1964 from Catherine Spalding University, Louisville, KY.

Teaching was the love of Pauline's life. Her favorite mission, she said, was the opportunity to go to Africa. As a child she dreamt she was to go to Africa "and teach the little children about Jesus. When I got to Africa, they taught me about God." Pauline served in Ghana, West Africa, from 1993 to 2010. She learned to read and speak Asante. Pauline taught at Our Lady of Providence High School (1993-1997), was assistant director of the Diocesan Catechetical Office in Sunyani (1997-2006) and was administrator of the Sr. Joseph Retreat Center in Sunyani (2006-2010). Outside of Ghana, Sister Pauline taught elementary grades at Christ the King, Louisville (1956-1961), Sacred Heart, St. Louis (1961-1963) and St. Pius V, St. Louis (1963-1965). Returning to Christ the King, she served as principal from 1965-1979. From 1979-1992, she was principal at St. Francis School in Santa Fe, NM.

Before entering Loretto, Pauline worked part time in child care. She served on the Mayor's Committee of the City of Santa Fe; on the Centennial Committee for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe; and was vice chair of the Catechetical Commission of Ghana, 2000-2010. She also served on the board of directors for the Loretto Child Care Center and was a longtime member of the Loretto-Ghana Sister Community Committee. In 2017, Pauline received the Louisville Archdiocese's Acacia Award for her 19 years of service, support and fidelity to the African-American Catholic community at Christ the King. In 2023, she noted that her most important interest was "my relationship with God. To be grateful for everything we are blessed with."

Preceding her in death were her parents Anne and Francis Albin and 8 siblings: Twin baby sisters Margaret Ann and Loretta Marie Albin, James Albin, Rita Albin Zitek, Marie Louise Albin Bailey, Leon Albin, Lorraine A. Albin Sabatka Furley and Lois Albin Huse. She is survived by her older brother John (Johnny) Albin of Valparaiso, NE,  sisters Patricia (Patsy) Albin Sabatka of David City, NE, and Therese Albin Schneider of Corpus Christi, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. A funeral Mass for Sr. Pauline will be celebrated at 10 a.m. ET Tuesday, Feb. 27, with her wake at 6:30 p.m. ET Monday, Feb. 26, both at Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, KY. Burial at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery, Loretto Motherhouse. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Loretto for our mission, c/o Loretto Motherhouse, 515 Nerinx Road, Nerinx, KY 40049 or as an online gift at www.lorettocommunity.org.