Mother Columba Guare, 82, first abbess of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque , Iowa , died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. Services were held at the abbey's chapel on September 2, with a con-celebrated Mass including the abbott of the Monastery of New Mellary, and the Archbishop of the diocese of Dubuque. She was born Margaret Guare on Nov. 4, 1926 in Montpelier , the only daughter of Thomas and Florence Emmons, and sister to Thomas, John Richard and Paul Guare. She attended St. Michael's High School in Montpelier and graduated from Trinity College in Burlington with a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts. After college, Margaret did graduate work in social service at Fordham University in New York City for one year. During that time, she visited the Cistercian (Trappist) monastery at Mount St. Mary's Abbey in Wrentham , MA , and fell in love with the contemplative lifestyle she found there. She often said that it was the sight of the sisters working in the dairy barn that convinced her of her vocation. Margaret entered Mount St. Mary's in 1951 and was given the name of Sister M. Columba on Feb. 12, 1952, the day she received the habit. She made first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1953, and solemn profession on June 28, 1957. At Wrentham, she held the office of cellarer for many years and was a famous writer of skits and poetry for the community. She left Wrentham to make the foundation of Our Lady of the Mississippi in October, 1964, with 12 other sisters, and was named superior of the new community by Mother Angela Norton, Abbess of Wrentham. In 1970, the foundation became an independent abbey and M. Columba was elected abbess. She remained in that office until 1982. In December, 1982, Mother Columba felt called to help establish a house of prayer among the poor in Cochabamba , Bolivia . She returned to Dubuque in 1987, and shortly thereafter was asked to be the temporary superior for the Trappist sisters in Stapehill , England. She resumed her life in the Mississippi community in 1989. With great joy, Mother Columba celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Profession with the community, her family, and friends, on Aug. 15, 2003. She received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Papal award in April, 2004. Much loved by her family, community, and many religious and lay people, she will always be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and her spirit of courage and foresight during the time of renewal after Vatican II. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers Thomas, John Richard and Paul. She is survived by three sisters-in-law, Georgianne, Helen and Claire, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, 8400 Abbey Hill Lane, Dubuque , IA 52003-9576. Those wishing to send on line condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com and go to Mother Columba's obituary.