Belleville astronaut Sandy Magnus with residents at the Benedictine Living Community before her April 17 visit (Submitted).
By David Wilhelm
Messenger Editor
Sr. Barb Biver remembers the time several years ago when an Elvis Presley impersonator came to entertain residents at the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville.
But even the king of rock and roll didn’t make a splash like Belleville astronaut Sandy Magnus when she dropped by for a visit April 17.
Magnus, a 1982 graduate of Belleville West High School, is the niece of Benedictine resident Phyllis Lang. Magnus talked about her experiences in space, took questions and posed for pictures.
Sr. Barb, of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC), described it as a memorable experience for all. Many of the Adorers were in the group of about 125 that listened to Magnus.
“It was a real treat for everybody,” Sr. Barb said. “The dining room on this day was even more crowded than when Elvis was there. Everybody seemed so interested in what (Magnus) had to say.
“She gave a fine talk, probably for 20 or 30 minutes … She was so at home. She didn’t use any notes at all; it was not a performance. She was talking to us and telling her story. When you listen to story-tellers, they just have a real way with keeping you engaged.”
The genesis for Magnus’ appearance began when Kim Parker, activities director at Benedictine Living Community, was talking to Lang.
Lang suggested to Parker that she could reach out to Magnus, 61, and see whether Magnus might be available to make an apperance in Belleville. Parker immediately was interested.
“Kim said, ‘Definitely!’” Sr. Barb said. “So Phyllis got in touch with Sandy, and that’s how it came about. Kim then made the arrangements with Sandy.”
According to Magnus’ Wikipedia page, she flew into space three times, and was the mission specialist on STS-112, a crewmember during Expedition 18 and a mission specialist on STS-135.
Magnus spent 157 days, 8 hours and 42 minutes in space.
Sr. Barb said most, if not all, of the Benedictine residents were aware of Magnus before she visited.
“A lot of people who live there are from the Belleville area,” she said. “Even those who didn’t live in the immediate Belleville area — some are from St. Louis —that’s a well-known name in their America. In her days as an astronaut, she was well-known. These are older people who would remember that.”
When Magnus asked the residents for any questions they might have, Sr. Barb said hands were lifted from throughout the room. A microphone made the rounds, and Magnus replied to every question.
“She got to everybody,” Sr. Barb said. “She was there a good hour, maybe an hour and 15 minutes. The time went so fast. It was so pleasant.”
