Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages held memorial Masses on July 16 and August 11 to honor Sr. Ellen Mary Elizabeth Mylod, O.S.U., who dedicated 53 years of her life to foreign language education and Catholic ministry in Taiwan. Sr. Ellen passed away on July 6, 2026.
Ursuline sisters, alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends from Taiwan and abroad attended the services to pay tribute to the respected educator. Following the August 11 Mass, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai presented a posthumous citation recognizing her lifelong contributions to education, character formation and international cultural exchange.
“I have felt like a Taiwanese for a long time. Taiwan has long been my home,” Sr. Ellen once said. Her words reflected the profound bond she developed with Taiwan during more than five decades of service.
Building a Foundation for Foreign Language Education
Born in England, Sr. Ellen entered the Roman Union of the Order of St. Ursula at the age of 18. She arrived in Taiwan in 1973 and began serving at Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages, now Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.
During her years at Wenzao, she served as chair of the Department of English, director of the Translation Center, founding chair of the Department of Foreign Language Instruction and a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.
Sr. Ellen played a key role in designing Wenzao’s English curriculum, developing teaching materials and strengthening its academic system. As the founding chair of the Department of Foreign Language Instruction, she helped prepare generations of language teachers and contributed significantly to the development of foreign language education in Taiwan.
She also served nine terms as a trustee, accompanying Wenzao through its transformation from a women’s junior college into a university of languages. During that time, the institution expanded its international engagement and educated graduates who later pursued careers in diplomacy, education, business and international exchange.
Sr. Ellen often reminded her students that “simplest is best” and “morality is the basis.” She believed language education should extend beyond communication skills to cultivate integrity, responsibility and a commitment to serving others.
Making Education a Ministry of Faith and Service
For Sr. Ellen, education was her lifelong response to God’s call. Following the Ursuline tradition, she regarded teaching as an important ministry through which faith could be put into action.
The Ursuline Sisters began their educational mission in Taiwan in 1958 and later established Stella Maris schools in Hualien and Wenzao in Kaohsiung. Continuing this mission, Sr. Ellen brought the Ursuline values of faith, compassion and service into her classroom.
She believed teachers should not only help students learn languages but also guide them in understanding themselves, caring for others and becoming people of character.
“If I were to count all the blessings God has given me, I would never finish,” she once said. Known for her humility, Sr. Ellen rarely spoke about her own accomplishments. Instead, she viewed her life as one filled with God’s grace. She spent time in prayer in the chapel each afternoon, praying for her students, colleagues and the needs of the wider community. Her faith sustained her throughout more than five decades of educational service.
Alumni Worldwide Remember a Lifelong Mentor
Following Sr. Ellen’s passing, tributes poured in from generations of Wenzao alumni. Some traveled from Singapore and Austria to attend the memorial Masses, while others joined the livestream from the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere.
Although they graduated in different decades, alumni shared similar memories of a teacher who upheld rigorous academic standards while showing genuine concern for every student.
Some recalled how Sr. Ellen patiently corrected each sentence in their English compositions, teaching them not only grammar but also diligence and responsibility. Others said her lessons went far beyond language, shaping their faith, values and attitudes toward life.
Many graduates continued to visit her long after leaving Wenzao. To them, Sr. Ellen was more than a teacher; she was a lifelong mentor and spiritual companion. Her combination of discipline, compassion and steadfast support left a lasting influence on generations of students.
Kaohsiung Recognizes a Lifetime of Service
Sr. Ellen received numerous honors for her contributions to education and society. These included the Hong Dao Award from the Association of Private Educational Institutions of the Republic of China and permanent residency under Taiwan’s Mackay Program. In 2014, Wenzao named her a Lifetime Distinguished Professor.
In 2017, she became a naturalized citizen of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in recognition of her exceptional service to the nation. She was the first foreign resident in Kaohsiung to receive citizenship on the grounds of extraordinary professional contributions.
Following the memorial Mass on August 11, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai presented a posthumous citation honoring Sr. Ellen’s contributions to foreign language education, character formation, talent development and international cultural exchange.
The citation was accepted by Sr. Teresa Chao-Te Chen, provincial of the Chinese Province of the Roman Union of the Order of St. Ursula, and Wenzao President Dr. Hwei-Lin Chuang.
The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Peter Liu Cheng-chung of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaohsiung. In his homily, Archbishop Liu said Sr. Ellen had devoted her life to education and evangelization through obedience, humility and selfless service. He encouraged those present to honor her memory by carrying forward her dedication to education, faith and service.
A Legacy That Continues Across Generations
Over 53 years, Sr. Ellen made Taiwan her home and devoted her life to educating and accompanying young people. She transformed her faith into educational service and made education an expression of evangelization.
Her legacy lies not only in the academic foundations she helped establish but also in her conviction that education, love and service can transform lives.
Although Sr. Ellen now rests in the Lord, her influence remains deeply present at Wenzao, in the lives of generations of alumni and in the hearts of educators whose work she inspired. The seeds of faith and education she planted in Taiwan continue to grow and bear fruit around the world.
