Alaska students thank ‘Rosary Lady’

CatholicAnchor.org

Last month, students at Our Lady of the Valley School in Wasilla gathered in the nearby chapel at Sacred Heart Church to thank “The Rosary Lady,” a woman who has inspired many students and staff.

Debra Lighthart spoke to students about her life and journey with the rosary. With her service dog, Striker, at her side, she shared with students how she learned to make rosaries at age 12 from nuns at the Catholic school she attended.

Many years and thousands of rosaries later, she told students that her hands have served her well, providing rosaries for countless people across the country and around the world. She said repairing an old used rosary is more of a blessing than making a new one, as repairing a rosary speaks to the fact that fingers have followed the beads countless times in prayer.

Lighthart has long held that she would not stop making rosaries until she found a person to continue her passion. She said she has found a successor for her mission and the time has come for her to step aside.

Medical reasons have compromised Lighthart’s ability to craft rosaries and to keep 400 on hand for those who need them. But even now, she still has 200 in reserve.

A regular guest at Our Lady of the Valley since the school opened in 2007, she has annually helped students make rosaries for Mother’s Day. Last month, students presented Lighthart with a thank you bouquet and a card signed by children and school staff.

“Each morning in chapel, Our Lady of the Valley students will have a fond memory of a generous and dedicated Rosary Lady who was instrumental in helping them learn the sacredness and beauty of praying to Our Mother Mary,” said Joyce Lund, the school’s acting principal. “The Catholic tradition of praying the rosary, started centuries ago, continues with Our Lady of the Valley students from kindergarten to seventh grade holding their beads and reciting Mother Mary’s prayer each morning before the start of school. God bless you, Mrs. Lighthart.”