Sister Mary Clare Neuhofer OSB, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, died peacefully on December 22, 2025 at the age of 87 after a period of declining health. Baptized Sophia Neuhofer, she was the sixth child of Helen (Barthle) and Joseph P. Neuhofer. She grew up in a family of 11 children in St. Joseph, Florida on the family farm. Her family had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart which she carried with her throughout her life.
Sr. Mary Clare attended Holy Name Academy in Saint Leo, Florida and entered Holy Name Monastery (then Priory) one week after graduation. Sr. Mary Clare made her final profession as a Benedictine Sister on December 16, 1960. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas in 1969, and pursued graduate studies in Musicology at the University of Indiana Bloomington and Theology at St John’s University in Minnesota. During her 68 years as a Benedictine Sister, she served internally as formation director, monastery treasurer, member of the Monastic Council, Prioress, and hospitality minister. During all this time, she was also organist and Music Director of the monastery, stopping only when health concerns prevented her from continuing.
Her external ministries included administrative positions at Saint Leo College now Saint Leo University, finishing her time there as Assistant to the President for Campus Ministry. She was a classroom teacher and music teacher in the Florida Catholic schools. She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Saint Leo University, Secretary for the Pasco County Board of Catholic Charities, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
Sr. Mary Clare loved reading, especially murder mysteries, and enjoyed working the New York Times crossword puzzle with other sisters on Sunday night. She also loved to travel and took every opportunity to explore unfamiliar regions of the USA. As hospitality minister she enjoyed greeting monastery guests and getting to know them. But her first love was always music.
Sr. Mary Clare was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Joseph P. Neuhofer; her siblings: Mary Neuhofer, Sister Mary Dorothy Neuhofer OSB, Joe Neuhofer, Paul Neuhofer (Mary A.) Gertrude LaBruzzo (Pete), Leo Neuhofer, and Frank Neuhofer.
Sr. Mary Clare is survived by her siblings: Lena Pearson (Malloy), Patrick Neuhofer (Mary Ann) and Carl “Mike” Neuhofer (Marcia), her Benedictine family, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Reception of Sister Mary Clare’s cremains and Vigil Service with Evening Prayer will be held at Holy Name Monastery, 12138 Wichers Road, Saint Leo, Florida on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. with a Funeral Mass held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Following the Funeral Mass, burial will be in the sisters’ section of the Abbey Cemetery at Saint Leo University.
Donations in her memory may be made to Benedictine Sisters of Florida, PO Box 2450, Saint Leo FL 33574-2450.
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