Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Alfonso Glancey, 95, died March 16 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Alfonso made her first profession in 1945 and her perpetual profession in 1948. She served in education for 69 years as teacher, principal, support staff member and volunteer in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Alfonso taught at St. Sabina (1951-1955) and St. Brendan (1963-1968).

Adrian Dominican Sister Therese (Thomas Frances) DeCanio, 90, died March 17 in Adrian, Michigan.

She was in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Born in Chicago, she graduated from Aquinas Dominican High School.

She ministered in elementary and secondary education in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Ascension, Harvey (1961-1963); St. Edmund, Oak Park (1963-1964); Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1975-1980); and St. Ignatius College Prep (1980-2010).

Sister Therese became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.

Divine Word Father Stanley Uroda, 72, a missionary in Ghana and two-term provincial in the United States, died March 18 following a battle with cancer.

Born in Detroit, Father Uroda entered the high school seminary in 1962, professed vows in 1971 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1974.

After earning a master’s degree in education from Loyola University Chicago in 1976, Father Uroda was sent to Ghana for his first assignment. In 1984, he returned to the United States, and the following year was appointed as formation director of Divine Word Theologate in Chicago. He was elected vice provincial in 1990.

Father Uroda served as provincial superior for two three-year terms beginning in 1996. After completing his second term as provincial, he served as a parish priest in West Virginia.

In 2005, he returned to the Divine Word Theologate as rector. After nine years, he was asked to go to Vietnam.

When he returned to the United States in 2018, he became the superior for the Divine Word Community in East Troy, Wisconsin. In 2020, he moved to Techny for health reasons.

He is survived by his sisters Antoinette Alwin, Dorothy Alwin and Mary Seder.

Claretian Father Richard Todd, 93, died March 25 in Chicago.

Father Todd attended St. John Berchmans School and St. Philip High School. He made his religious profession in 1947 and was ordained a priest in 1955.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Francis of Assisi (1955-1957) before becoming a spiritual director at the Claretians’ St. Jude Seminary and director of vocations. In 1967, he was assigned as a missionary in Guatemala and remained there until 1975, when he was appointed coordinator of the Claretians’ worldwide missions. 

He returned to the U.S. in 1983 and served in New Jersey, before being elected as provincial superior of the then-Claretian Missionaries Eastern Province in 1989. In 1991, he was appointed as a consultor for the Claretians’ general government in Rome.

After completing his term, he became associate pastor of Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary (1997-1999) and St. Paul (1999-2002), where he later became administrator (2002-2009).

He returned to New Jersey until he retired to the Claretian community in Oak Park in 2013. He moved to the Resurrection Life Center in 2019.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Jane (John Fisher) Farrell, 91, died March 29 in Monroe, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she entered the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1953. She received the religious name, Sister John Fisher. 

She taught at the elementary, high school and college levels in Michigan, and served in college administration in Michigan and Texas.

In 1977, Sister Jane was named principal of Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester, serving for more than 10 years. She then moved into a teaching position for 10 years at Mother McAuley High School.

She returned to Michigan on sabbatical and worked as her community’s archivist and then returned to Westchester in 2001 and remained there until she retired in 2009.

Providence Sister Florence (Thomas Ann) Norton, 94, died April 2 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she attended Maternity BVM and St. Sylvester schools before entering the Sisters of Providence in 1944. She professed final vows in 1951.

She ministered in education and parish work in Indiana, Illinois, New Hampshire and Missouri and in Peru.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Sylvester (1976-1982). She was a pastoral associate at St. Sylvester (1982-1985) and at Our Lady of Grace (1986-2010).

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Kay (William Mary) Moran, 81, died April 12 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, she was in the 61st year of her religious life.

 Sister Mary Kay ministered in elementary and religious education and parish ministry in Illinois, California, New Mexico, Michigan, Florida, Arizona and Alaska.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1960-1963): St. Edmund, Oak Park (1963-1964); and Sacred Heart Schools (1997-2002).

She is survived by her brother, Thomas Moran.

Father Robert F. McGinnity, 92, died March 16. He was pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart, Palos Hills.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1955.

He was assistant pastor of Most Holy Redeemer, Evergreen Park; St. Agnes, Chicago Heights; Incarnation, Palos Heights; and St. Cletus, La Grange. He was also associate pastor and then pastor of Sacred Heart, Palos Hills, where he served for more than 20 years. He retired in 2000.

Father Harold A. Bonin, 82, died March 22. He was named pastor emeritus of St. Jerome Parish after retiring in 2009.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1965.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Benedict (Irving Park Road) and Queen of Angels; taught at Quigley Preparatory Seminary North for about 10 years; served as associate pastor at Our Lady of the Brook, Northbrook; Our Lady of Lourdes; St. Mary, Buffalo Grove; and St. Joseph, Summit. He was pastor of Immaculate Conception (88th Street) and St. Jerome.

Father Raymond J. Jasinski, 94, died March 27. He retired in 1992.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1954.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Calumet City; St. George (Wentworth Avenue); St. Salomea; St. Barbara (Throop Street); and Our Lady of Lourdes. He served as associate pastor of St. Camillus and St. Bede, Ingleside, and as pastor of St. Helena of the Cross and St. John of God. He also served as chaplain at Rosary Hill Convalescent Home in Justice, where he resided throughout his retirement years.

Msgr. Richard B. Saudis, 91, died March 27. He was the former associate vicar for canonical services.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained to the priesthood in 1955.

Msgr. Saudis served as assistant pastor of All Saints; pastor at St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield; and associate pastor of Nativity BVM and St. Odilo, Berwyn. He also taught at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Niles College. Additionally, he served as military secretary, vice chancellor and associate vicar for canonical services, a service he continued to perform even after retirement.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Gwen (Rose Julie) Koza, 92, died Dec. 29, 2020.

A native of Chicago, Sister Gwen made her first vows in 1948 and her final vows in 1953. She taught third through eighth grades in numerous parish schools in Ohio and Illinois for 18 years, including St. Victor, Calumet City (1949-1950); St. Robert Bellarmine (1950-1952, 1954); and St. Peter Canisius (1961-1962). She then taught algebra and geometry at Notre Dame High School in Chicago (1966-1970). While in Chicago, Sister Gwen volunteered as a tutor for adults living in poverty at Marillac House.

She then spent 23 years teaching in community colleges in Florida while caring for aging family members, neighbors and friends.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Genevieve (Martin Marie) Moran, 94, died Jan. 8.

A native of Chicago, Sister Genie attended St. Bartholomew School and Notre Dame High School. She made first vows in 1952 and final vows in 1957.

Sister Genie spent 19 years teaching at several parish schools, including St. Victor, Calumet City (1952-1957), and St. Robert Bellarmine (1965-1971). In 1971, she started teaching business classes and serving as half-time bookkeeper at Notre Dame High School for Girls. For six years, Sister Genie also taught typing classes in the Adult Education Program at nearby Wright College. Eventually, she served full-time in the finance office as treasurer and served in that capacity until her retirement in 1998.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Damienne (Damien S.H.) Grismer, 91, died Jan. 15.

Born in Ohio, she made her first vows in 1950 and her final vows in 1955. She spent 16 years teaching at Ohio elementary schools before teaching in a drug recovery program in Tinley Park (1970-1975). She served as bursar, prepared probation reports, rationed cigarettes, supervised the property and participated in the clinical operation of the house.

In 1975, she returned to Ohio, where she taught high school.

Mary Claire Gart Restivo, 83, died Feb. 17 in Chicago.

She worked at the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Chicago for 42 years, from 1960 to 2002, starting as a staff writer and retiring as managing editor. She also had served as acting editor.

During her time at the paper, which was known as the New World, Chicago Catholic and the Catholic New World while she worked there, she served under four cardinal archbishops and several editors, and she mentored generations of young writers.

She was known for her professionalism as well as her kindness.

She is survived by her husband, Angelo Restivo, to whom she was married for 37 years, and her three daughters.

Sister of St. Joseph Marie Frances Basile, 91, dies March 8.

Sister Marie graduated from St. Willibrod High School and was a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph for 67 years.

She taught first through seventh grades during her first 16 years in community in the various parishes in LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lyons, Hillside, Riverside and Chicago. 

She continued to serve in surrounding parishes as religious education coordinator and catechist. 

Sister Marie then moved into the ministry as a companion to the elderly in a local nursing home, and finally as congregation chapel sacristan.

Loretto Sister Elizabeth “Betty” (Marian Francis) McWilliams, 85, died March 9.

Born in Rockford, she entered the Sisters of Loretto in 1953 and made her final vows in 1961.

Throughout her 64 years of service, Sister Betty served in many positions, including 18 years as a teacher, 20 years as an innovative hospice care leader and provider in Highland Park, and 12 years for the Loretto Community in health care and administrative roles in Denver. She particularly was known for her hospice work at Highland Park Hospital, whose hospice program was one of the first in the country. Sister Betty created some of the earliest standards of care for home hospice and helped form one of the first medical ethics committees in the country.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Betty taught at Holy Cross (1964-1967) and Immaculate Conception, Highland Park (teacher 1969-1972, principal 1972-1978), She was a parish worker in Deerfield (1978-1982). She worked in a hospice office in Highland Park for a year (1982-1983) and then served as hospice coordinator at Highland Park Hospital in Glenview from 1983 to 1993.

Divine Word Father Arnold Steffen, 91, who served as provincial superior of Papua New Guinea, died March 12 in Techny.

Born in Iowa, he entered the Divine Word Seminary at age 14 in 1943. He professed religious vows in 1949 and was ordained a priest in 1955.

Father Steffen served for 59 years in Papua New Guinea, witnessing many economic and social changes on the island nation that gained independence in 1975. When he arrived in 1957, roads in the Mount Hagen area were few, and missionaries tended to travel by airplane, on horseback and on foot.

According to Divine Word Brother Aloysius Aisi Oa, who grew up in Papua New Guinea and currently serves at Sts. Anselm and Elizabeth parishes in Chicago, Father Steffen was so attuned to the land and its people that he was affectionately called the “Mountain Goat.”

“People know him well in Papua New Guinea,” said Brother Aloysius. “Many people tell stories about him. He could communicate well with the people, and he walked everywhere. He was very energetic and strong.”

In 1972, Father Steffen was called upon to serve as acting superior. The following year, he became president of Holy Spirit Regional Seminary, which served as the primary major seminary of Papua New Guinea and the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. Father Steffen was elected regional superior in 1976.

In 1981, he completed his administrative work and returned to parish ministry.

In 2016, Father Steffen moved from Papua New Guinea to Techny for retirement. He is survived by one brother, Ralph Steffen.

Adrian Dominican Sister Sharon (Therese Michelle) Beckmann, 80, died March 16 in Toledo, Ohio.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 62nd year of her religious life.

Sister Sharon ministered in elementary education, religious education and pastoral work in Illinois and California.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Carthage (1964-1967); St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1967-1970); and St. Cyprian, River Grove (1991-1995) and was principal of St. James, Maywood (1989-1991).

She is survived by three sisters: Kathryn Martin, Therese Graham and Marcia Anstiss; and a brother, Joseph Beckmann Jr.

Deacon Earl Dahl, 88, died March 1. He was ordained in 1983 and served at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Streamwood.

Deacon Dahl was born on the Northwest Side of Chicago and joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, serving as a medic in Germany from 1951 to 1955. He met his wife, Doris, at Riverview Park and the couple married in 1957.

He was a member of the Carpenters Union and a custom cabinet maker. In 1962, he and his wife bought the Streamwood home where he lived until his death.

Deacon Dahl was baptized and raised Lutheran. He entered the Catholic Church at St. John the Evangelist at the urging of his wife and especially his daughters. He served the parish as an active deacon for 31 years.

Deacon Dahl and Doris Dahl loved to travel the world and the family loved to camp.

He is survived by his wife and his daughters, Pam and Darlene.

Deacon Vito DiCanio, 91, died March 4. He was ordained in 1984.

He served at St. Mary, Evanston, and St. Emily, Mount Prospect, and was a chaplain at Resurrection Hospital. He was a retired superintendent of parks and recreation for the city of Evanston and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He is survived by his wife, Frances, his children Teddy DiCanio, Joseph Semkiu and Michael Semkiu; and three grandchildren.

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia (William Francine) McCarty, 85, died Feb. 12 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, Sister Patricia was in her 66th year of religious life.

She ministered in elementary education, congregational leadership, campus ministry and higher education in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was principal of Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1967-1970); and co-provincial (1970-1972) and administrator (1972-1975) of the St. Dominic Province, Hometown.

Sister of St. Casimir Milda Blinstrubas, 88, died Feb. 15 in Lemont.

Born in Lithuania, she emigrated to the United States in 1948 after fleeing Lithuania and living in a refugee camp in Germany. She settled in the Southwest Side neighborhood of Marquette Park. 

She made her first vows of religious profession in 1951 and professed final vows in 1957.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marywood College in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and served as a first-grade teacher for 49 years in New Mexico, California, Maryland, Florida and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Vilna, Pilsen (1952-1954); Nativity BVM, Marquette Park (1954-1956, 1960-1965, 1986-1987, 1996-2005) and St. Norbert, Northbrook (1971-1974). After she retired from full-time teaching, she tutored students for an archdiocesan program.

Most recently, Sister Milda participated in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village’s Mother Theresa Home in Lemont.

Mercy Sister Virgena Clark, 89, died Feb. 17 in Chicago.

Born in Wisconsin, she professed first vows in 1954, and final vows in 1959.

She served in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for more than 37 years, including six as an elementary school teacher and more than 30 as a director of religious education.

She also served for more than 20 years at St. Luke Parish, Brookfield, Wisconsin.

She is survived by her brother, Ray Clark.

Adrian Dominican Sister Noreen (Peter Margaret) Burke, 88, died Feb. 18 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 70th year of her religious life.

Sister Noreen ministered in Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Mary, Star of the Sea (1952-1954); Our Lady of Loretto (teacher, 1954-1960 and 1974-1975; principal, 1975-1985); St. Laurence (1960-1961); St. Philip Neri (1961-1965); St. Rita Elementary School (1972-1974); as assistant retirement director for the Adrian Dominican Sisters in Hometown (1986-1987); and as a guidance counselor at Maria High School (1987-2005).

School Sister of Notre Dame Jenny (Mary August) VandenBergh, 91, died July 20, 2020, in New Lenox.

Born in Evanston, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 70 years. She served in Illinois and Wisconsin as grade school teacher and principal, manager for Catholic Charities, pastoral minister at Resurrection Life Center and minister of prayer and presence at Marian Village.

School Sister of Notre Dame Margaret Ann Curtin, 93, died March 22, 2020, at Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 72 years.

She served in Wisconsin and Illinois as a grade and high school teacher, local leader, provincial councilor, school secretary, volunteer at Misericordia Home, province development staff member and minister of prayer and presence at Marian Village, Homer Glen, and Resurrection Life Center.

She is survived by her siblings, School Sisters of Notre Dame Joan Marie and Susan Marie Curtin, Michael Curtin, Dennis Curtin and Margaret Healy.

School Sister of Notre Dame Joanna Brigan, 87, died Aug, 27 at Marian Village in Homer Glen.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 67 years. She served in Wisconsin and Illinois in dietary service, food service, housekeeping and hospitality, and in the ministry of prayer and presence at Marian Village.

School Sister of Notre Dame Mary Bann, 79, died March 28, 2020, at Resurrection Life Center.

She was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 60 years, and she served in Illinois and Missouri as a grade school teacher, student, postulant director and assistant director of religious education, and she did community service at Marian Village in Homer Glen, and then ministry of prayer and presence at Marian Village and finally at Resurrection Life Center.

Deacon Anthony John Towey, 79, died Feb. 22. He was ordained in 2003 and served at St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish, Des Plaines.

Deacon Towey loved to travel and had visited all 50 United States as well as Ireland. He was an avid performer in the St. Stephen variety shows for almost 30 years.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Connolly; his children Elizabeth Beasley, Kathryn Szamocki, Anthony Towey, Teresa Cook and John Towey; 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Sister Suzanne (Louis) Smith, 86, died on Feb. 3 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Washington, D.C., Sister Suzanne entered the Sisters of Providence in 1954 and professed final vows in 1961.

During her 67 years as a Sister of Providence, she served as a teacher in Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C., and in the motherhouse.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Providence High School (1956-1959).

Providence Sister Ruth Ellen (Ellen Susan) Doane, 84, died Feb. 5 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1954 and professed final vows in 1961.

During her 67 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a teacher in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts and Germany, did parish work in Indiana and Iowa and served in ministries related to the congregation.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Athanasius, Evanston (1956-1961); Providence-St. Mel (1980-1985); and Our Lady of the Westside (1985-1988).

She is survived by two brothers, Paul and Mark Doane.

Adrian Dominican Sister Marie Therese (Thomas More) Emery, 97, died Feb. 5 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in St. Louis, she was in the 74th year of her religious life.

Sister Marie Therese ministered in education in Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, before working for the state of Michigan as a fleet safety project supervisor and at Michigan State University, where she was a traffic safety specialist for two years, a traffic safety program administrator for 11 years, and a technology lab director for 10 years. She was also an engineering/automotive consultant for AAA for a year in Washington, D.C.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Benedictine Sister Mariella (Carol) Hathorn, 81, died unexpectedly Feb. 7 at St. Joseph Court-St. Scholastica Monastery.

Sister Mariella was born in Pennsylvania and entered the Benedictine community at St. Joseph Monastery, St. Marys, Pennsylvania, in 1957. She made her first profession in 1959 and her final vows in 1962. Sister Mariella had a 28-year career in education in Pennsylvania, serving mostly middle grades as well as in administration as principal. In 1987, she was elected prioress of St. Joseph Monastery and served two terms there.

She then spent a sabbatical time at St. Scholastica Monastery in Chicago. During the years at St. Scholastica, Sister Mariella discerned a call to transfer her stability to St. Scholastica Monastery in Chicago and requested permission to do so in 1998.

Her first assignment in Chicago was as director of the St. Joseph Court infirmary.

She is survived by her sisters, Jean Klaiber and Sally Lanzel.

Divine Word Father Paul Gootee, 93, died Feb. 10 in Techny. He was a missionary known for faith and community development in Indonesia.

Born in Indiana, he followed his older brother into the Divine Word formation program in 1941, attending Divine Word Seminary in East Troy, Wisconsin. He professed vows in 1948 and was ordained a priest in 1955.

For more than half of century, Father Gootee worked among the Dawan-speaking people of Timor, a southeastern island of Indonesia. While caring for the people, he faced many challenges, such as famine, poor crops, scarce rain, political unrest and migration of the youth to more populated areas, yet the hardships did not deter him. In response, he built churches, schools and medical clinics, dug wells, constructed irrigation systems, installed electricity and shared the Catholic faith.

During Father Gootee’s 55 years on the island, he provided pastoral care throughout the Diocese of Atambua and worked with farmers’ unions and a consumer cooperative to foster economic justice in the region.

Father Gootee returned to the United States and was assigned to Techny in retirement in 2011.

He is survived by two sisters, Agnes James and Medical Mission Sister Patricia Gootee.

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia (Charles Thomas) O’Reilly, 93, died Feb. 10 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Ohio, she was in the 75th year of her religious life.

Sister Patricia was an educator, hospital chaplain and pastoral minister in Michigan, Illinois and Nevada.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1946-1948); was office and plant supervisor at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Westchester (1977-1978); and was a pastoral minister at Resurrection Hospital (1987-1989).

She is survived by a sister, Kathleen O’Reilly.

Divine Word Father Xavier (Patrick Joseph) Cooney, 79, died Feb. 11 from complications of COVID-19 at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview. He was a missionary who served in Papua New Guinea and Appalachia.

Born in Pittsburgh, he entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1959 and professed religious vows in 1962. When he professed perpetual vows as a brother in 1968, he took the name Xavier.

For his first assignment, Brother Xavier was sent to Papua New Guinea to work in the Alexishafen carpentry shop. Three years later, he traveled up the coast to begin training as a pilot. Over the decades, Divine Word Missionaries had developed Wirui Air Service to transport supplies and people to missions that were difficult to reach by land.

By the end of the 1970s, Brother Xavier began to hear the call to the missionary priesthood. He was assigned to the Papua New Guinea Highlands for pastoral experience before beginning studies at St. Paul’s Seminary in Kensington, Australia.

He was ordained in 1983 and was assigned to Kundiawa town parish in Papua New Guinea’s central, mountainous region, where he provided pastoral care until he was transferred to the Chicago Province in 1989.

In the United States, Father Cooney provided pastoral care in West Virginia.

Because of health issues, Father Cooney moved to Techny in 2020.

He is survived by two brothers, Martin and John Cooney.

Adrian Dominican Sister Leontia “Lee” (Michael Therese) Cooney, 85, died Feb. 12 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 65th year of religious life.

She ministered in Illinois, the Bahamas and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary Star of the Sea.

Father Phillip C. Kiley, 75, died Feb. 2. He was the former associate pastor of St. George Parish (Ewing Avenue).

Born in Berwyn, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1978.

After ordination, Father Kiley served as associate pastor of All Saints (South State Street), Holy Angels, St. Charles Lwanga, Resurrection (Nelson Street), St. Francis de Sales (Ewing Avenue) and St. George (Ewing Avenue) parishes. He retired in 2015.

Father John Clemens, retired pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Rosemont, had known Father Kiley since their years at Quigley Preparatory Seminary.

“Phil was a very dedicated priest, a person who thought of others before himself,” Clemens said. “He was very dedicated to working with the poor, had a good sense of humor and was loved by a lot of good friends, lay and clergy.”

Deacon Juan Ponce de Leon, 69, died Jan. 31. He was ordained in 2011 and served at St. William Parish.

Deacon Ponce de Leon and his family had been parishioners at St. William for 30 years, and were instrumental in starting the Guadalupana Society and other ministries to Latino families there. He also was involved in Boy Scouts with his two sons. After ordination, Deacon Ponce de Leon did Spanish-language baptismal preparation and preparation for other sacraments. Parish staff members said he was a “gentle and kind spirit.”

He is survived by his wife, Helen; sons John and Joe; one grandson; his brother, Edmund Ponce de Leon, and his sister, Rosita Hale.

Dominican Sister Mary Willard (Elizabeth) Reagan, 95, died Dec. 1, 2020, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 76th year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Willard ministered in education in Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Edmund, Oak Park (1944-1950).

She is survived by a sister, Eugenie Reagan Beall.

Resurrection Sister Maria Schultz, 90, died Dec. 23 at Resurrection Life Center. She was a member of the Sisters of the Resurrection for 70 years.

Sister Maria was born in Minnesota, the youngest of eleven children. After completing high school, she traveled to Chicago where she joined her sister, Sister Mary Paul Schultz, as a Sister of the Resurrection. Sister Maria made her first vows in 1952 and her final vows in 1957.

Sister Maria taught just about every grade in various schools that included St. Casimir; Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village; and St. Thecla, where she spent 17 years.

Sister Maria served as provincial treasurer and in administrative roles at the provincial home for many years.

In 2018, Sister Maria moved to Resurrection Life Center.

Dominican Sister Mary Elizabeth (Therese Johanna) Scheibel, 95, died Jan. 9 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she went to Aquinas High School. She was in the 77th year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Elizabeth ministered in elementary education and secretarial services in Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Illinois. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2003.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor (1964-1967); Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1967-1968); and St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1968-1972).

Dominican Sister Esther (Consolata Marie) Ortega, 86, died Jan. 14 in Toledo, Ohio.

Born in Arizona, she was in her 65th year of religious life.

Sister Esther served in education and pastoral ministry and adult education in Illinois, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan, in 2012.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Albert the Great, Oak Lawn (1957-1962), and St. Edmund, Oak Park (1962-1964).

She is survived by a brother, Raul Ortega, and a sister, Connie Gomez.

Dominican Sister Dorothea (Raymund Ann) Gramlich, 81, died Jan. 21 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 63rd year of her religious life.

Sister Dorothea served in education and other ministries in Illinois, Michigan and Iowa.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1959-1962), and St. Mary, Star of the Sea (1969-1970).

She is survived by three brothers: John, Mark and Greg Burgeson; and one sister, Ann Cane.

Dominican Sister Ann Rena (Marilyn) Shinkey, 87, died Jan. 22 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Streator, she was in her 60th year of religious life. She ministered in education in Michigan and Illinois. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2011.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Edmund, Oak Park (1962); Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1962-1964); Aquinas High School (1964-1967); and Mother McAuley High School (1984-1992).

Dominican Sister Kathleen (Stella Joseph) Sutherland, 88, died Jan. 22 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 70th year of her religious life.

Sister Kathleen ministered as an educator, catechist and receptionist in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita Elementary School (1951-1954), St. Laurence Elementary School (teacher, 1955-1960; teacher and religious education coordinator 1960-1961); and Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1961-1964).

She is survived by three brothers: Father Thomas Sutherland, Daniel Sutherland and Patrick Sutherland; and four sisters: Mary Hosfeld, Marion Faris, Judy Sutherland and Margaret Missig.

Dominican Sister Margaret Ann (Louis Arthur) Swallow, 97, died Jan. 23 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 73rd year of her religious life.

Sister Margaret Ann ministered in education, parish work and nursing care in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and New York. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2009.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Good Counsel Elementary School (1949-1954).         

Providence Sister Jacquelyn (Theodata) Hoffman, 85, died Jan. 25 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, Sister Jackie entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957.

She ministered as music teacher for 50 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, including at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1966-1974), and Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1974-1982).

Sister Jackie is survived by a sister, Patricia Tummey.

Dominican Sister Helen (Thomas Albert) Laier, 88, died Jan. 26 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 69th year of her religious life.

She ministered in education, nursing and care for family members in Michigan and Illinois. Sister Helen became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2015.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kilian (1958-1960).

Sister Helen is survived by her sister, Teresa Trumbull.

Providence Sister Charles (Marjorie Mae) Van Hoy, 91, died on Jan. 27 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1949 and professed final vows in 1956. She ministered as teacher, school librarian and pastoral associate in Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C., and was the director of activities at the motherhouse for 12 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mel (1953-1956).

Mercy Sister Mary Ludmilla Benda, 94, died Jan. 27 in Chicago.

Sister Ludmilla grew up in Ohio and earned a nursing degree before entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1947. She ministered as a nurse and nursing supervisor in Iowa and Chicago, serving as Mercy Hospital Davenport’s administrator in Iowa for six years and then as administrator of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago for six more years.

She also served as a pastoral associate, worked in home health care, was director of a diocesan volunteer program and held several professional leadership roles.

In Davenport, she began Fr. Conroy’s Vineyard of Hope in honor of her late friend, Father James Conroy. The ministry fed and provided showers, laundry and clothing to 80 to 150 mostly homeless people every Sunday for 13 years.

She moved to Mercy Circle in Chicago in 2018 because of poor health.

Divine Word Father Charles Heskamp, 94, died Jan. 28 in Techny.

He formed a generation of Divine Word missionaries. Among his students, he counted future professors, provincials and a Vatican ambassador.

Born in Cincinnati, Father Heskamp worked in a hardware store after high school. When he was not drafted to serve in World War II, he took this as a sign that he was being called by God to live a life of service.

He entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1946, professed religious vows in 1950 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1958.

Even though he requested to be assigned overseas after his priestly ordination, he cheerfully accepted his assignment to remain in the United States. During his academic career, Father Heskamp served as principal of Divine Word seminaries in Ohio, Wisconsin and New Jersey.

In addition to teaching and administrative work, he served as a pastor in Louisiana and West Virginia.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Elizabeth “Liz” (Valerian) Barribeau, 96, died Feb. 3 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Liz made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1944 and spent 18 years with the congregation before transferring her religious vows to the Mount St. Mary’s Abbey of Trappist nuns in Wrentham, Massachusetts, who in 1964 established a new foundation — Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey — near Dubuque, Iowa.

Sister Liz became a foundress of that congregation, then returned to the Sinsinawa congregation in 1985. She made her perpetual profession with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1988.

Sister Liz ministered in education and pastoral ministry in Illinois, Minnesota, Alabama, Iowa, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New York and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Liz taught at St. Sabina (1944-1947) and St. Mary, Evanston (1947-1949).

She is survived by two brothers, James and William Barribeau.

Divine Word Father Donald Skerry, 85, died Feb. 3 in Techny.

For more than 50 years, Father Skerry helped to lead the Society of the Divine Word in North America through changing times, including serving as provincial administrator during a time of transition.

Born in Massachusetts, he entered the society in 1948 and professed vows in 1954.

Divine Word leadership sent Father Skerry to the Collegio del Verbo Divino in Rome after his ordination in 1962. He received a doctorate in sacred theology in 1966 and returned to the United States, where he undertook assignments in education, formation and administration.

From 1966 to 1969, he served as director of studies at St. Mary’s Seminary at Techny. When the Society of the Divine Word joined the academic collaborative of Catholic Theological Union, he and the Divine Word seminarians moved to Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, where he served as rector at Divine Word Theologate for five years before being assigned to the faculty of Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa.

In 1979, he was appointed vice provincial of what was then the Northern Province, and then the provincial administrator of the newly formed Chicago Province.

He is survived by his brother, George Skerry.

Father Thomas I. Healy, 94, died Jan. 15. He was pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (Belmont Avenue).

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1952.

Father Healy served as assistant pastor of St. Gertrude and St. Ferdinand. He also was a professor at St. Mary of the Lake Junior College in Niles and Niles College of Loyola University in Chicago, and chaplain of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. In 1977, Father Healy became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, a position he held until 2001. He retired in 2002.

Retired Auxiliary Bishop John Gorman was one of Father Healy’s classmates. Bishop Gorman remembered Father Healy as very bright and studious.

“Father Healy shepherded his parish well and was loved by his parishioners,” Bishop Gorman said. “He had a constant love for the history of the church and was a very fine theologian. He served with patience and was a wonderful priest.”

Deacon Daniel Patiño, 81, died at home Jan. 17. He was ordained in 2001 and served at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

He is survived by his children, Daniel Patiño, Monica Peace, Cristina Swiatnicki and Rocio (José) Palacios; six grandchildren; and his brother, Gustavo Patiño. His wife, Maria (“Cuco”), died in 2019.

Deacon José Vázquez, 76, died Jan. 17. He was ordained in 1986 and served at Maternity B.V.M. Parish, which is now part of San José Luis Sánchez Del Río Parish.

He served as president of the National Hispanic Diaconate Council for many years and as president of Neighborhood Housing Services in the 1980s.

After retiring from Coca Cola in the early 2000s, Deacon Vázquez spent much of his retirement organizing tours abroad and traveling around the world.

He and his wife, Ivette, were married for 52 years.

He is survived by his children, José Jr., Lynette, José J. and Lisandra, and five grandchildren.

School Sister of Notre Dame Mary John (Geraldine) Zielinski, 90, died Nov. 29, 2020.

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish. She entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame at the Milwaukee motherhouse in 1949, professed first vows in 1952 and professed final vows in 1958.

She came to the community with a “feel” for tools, having worked in a Chicago hardware store, and “when she decided to accept a religious life, she set only one condition—that she be permitted to bring her carpentry tools with her when she took the veil,” her community said. 

She ministered in the printing room and as a cook and refectorian and as a licensed building engineer, heading a crew of four men at the community’s campus in Mequon, Wisconsin.

In 1984, Sister Mary John moved to the Academy of Our Lady in Chicago, where she served as maintenance supervisor and consultant for the physical plant there. When the school was sold to the International Charter School—Longwood Campus in 1999, she continued on staff until she retired in 2003. In 2005, she moved to Marian Village in Homer Glen, Illinois, and in 2008 to Resurrection Life Center, in Chicago, where she resided until her death.

Redemptorist Father Kenneth Sedlak, 74, died Dec. 19 in Liguori, Missouri, after suffering from several health issues.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he entered the Redemptorist seminary system, made his first profession of vows in 1967 and his perpetual vows in 1970. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1972.

After earning a degree in spiritual direction, Father Sedlak joined the faculty of Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, Wisconsin, and built a spiritual director program for students. He served in the youth apostolate at Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Rolling Meadows during the 1980s.

He was assigned as associate pastor of St. Michael Parish (Cleveland Avenue) in 1990, and dedicated the next 30 years to that parish community. In addition to offering spiritual direction, Fr. Sedlak hosted numerous parish prayer services and was involved in many parish programs, notably RCIA. He also co-founded Pathways, which sponsors programs for young professionals seeking to integrate body, mind, and spirit, and served on the core team of Stillpoint, a contemplative outreach center.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Francesca “Fran” Koller, 89, died Jan. 19 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, she made her first religious profession in 1952 and her perpetual profession in 1955.

She was a teacher, pastoral minister, chaplain and assistant prioress who ministered in Illinois, Minnesota, South Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Alaska, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. She also was a talented singer and watercolor artist.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Visitation School.

She is survived by a sister, Janet Nelson; and a brother, Emil Koller.

Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sister Mary Ellen (Roland) Beck, 87, died Jan. 19 at Resurrection Life Center.

She was in religious life for 70 years and taught and was a principal in Illinois, Arizona, Michigan and California. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Adrian and St. Bride.

She brought her love of music and sports to all her interactions with students, no matter their age or background, and was able to say she loved each of her assignments, community leaders said. 

She retired in 2000. 

Father Paul C. Burak, 74, died Jan. 11. He was the former pastor of St. Michael Parish, Orland Park.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1972.

He was associate pastor of St. Kilian Parish and in 1981 was appointed pastor of St. Catherine of Genoa. He went on to serve as pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge, and St. Michael, Orland Park. Burak also served as dean at Deanery V-D and V-E and, for a few years, the cardinal’s liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement.

Deacon Francis P. Henry, 78, died Jan. 10. He was ordained in 1992 and served at Nativity of Our Lord Parish.

He is survived by his siblings Tom Henry, Joan Donay and John Henry and several nieces and nephews.

School Sister of Notre Dame Gloria (Maria Elvira) Rosales, 96, died Dec. 4 at Resurrection Life Center from COVID-19.

Born in Chicago, she later recalled her mother telling her how she went all day at the 1926 Eucharistic Congress “without a whimper,” even though she was only 2 years old.

She attended Sancta Maria Incoronata School, and every day after class she taught her Mexican-born parents the English she had learned in school.

She professed first vows in 1943 and final vows in 1949.

Sister Gloria served as a primary, kindergarten and early childhood teacher in Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois, including at St. Ambrose and St. Margaret of Scotland.

She was a school administrator and counselor in Illinois, and she worked in special education at Nipper School in Park Ridge (1973-1978). 

Sister Gloria retired to Marian Village in Homer Glen in 2007 and in 2020 she moved to Resurrection Life Center.

School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia (Mary Benedict) Ostdick, 90, died Dec. 6 at Resurrection Life Center after a long struggle with COVID-19.

Born in Elgin, she entered the candidature of Schools Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee in 1947, professing first vows in 1950 and final vows in 1956. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s of pastoral studies in communication arts.

From 1950 to 1968, she taught primary grades in Illinois and Wisconsin, including at St. Michael, St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Alphonsus Schools in Chicago.

She then taught at the intermediate and secondary levels and served as local leader for her community at St. Michael, Chicago. She taught college in Maryland before returning to Chicago in 1983 and teaching intermediate grades at St. Stanislaus Kostka; St. Domitilla, Hillside; and St. Procopius. 

From 1993 to 2005, Sister Pat served as community leader and patient advocate for elderly sisters at St. Benedict and at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged.

She retired to St. Pius X, Stickney, in 2001, and to the Academy of Our Lady Convent in 2004. In 2005, she moved to retirement at Marian Village in Homer Glen and in 2011 to Resurrection Life Center.

School Sister of Notre Dame Zita (Dorothy Clementine) Gilles, 94, died Dec. 11.

Born in Peoria, she entered the community’s juniorate at the Academy of Our Lady in Chicago in 1940. She was received into the novitiate in Milwaukee in 1945, and she took her final vows there in 1952.

Sister Zita then served as a primary teacher in several schools in Wisconsin and Illinois, and as a hospital librarian in Peoria.

In 1984, Sister Zita returned to teaching intermediate grades at St. Columba. Two years later, she became a staff member in the finance department at the Academy of Our Lady, a position she held for 10 years. After two years, she became the director of the department.

In 1996, she began offering pastoral care for the older sisters in the community, first as local leader at St. Stanislaus Kostka Convent, then at Resurrection Life Center, while living in the Foster Avenue community.

From 2002 to 2014, Sister Zita continued to live at Foster Avenue, first during a sabbatical and then in prayer and presence. In 2014, she joined the community at Marian Village in Homer Glen, and in 2017 moved to the Resurrection Life Center, where she died.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Catriona M. K. (Teresa Avila) MacLeod, 89, died Dec. 19 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Lincoln, England, and raised in Scotland, she earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Andrews.

She made her first profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1959 and her perpetual profession in 1965.

Sister Catriona taught and served in administration at universities and shared her knowledge through seminars and biblical workshops across the globe. She was appointed by Pope Paul VI as a member of the ad hoc Commission on the Role of Women in Church and Society (1973-1975) and as a consultor of the Sacred Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes (1973-1979).

Sister Catriona served her community as assistant in the novitiate at the motherhouse in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin (1964-1968), while also serving as assistant in the archives preparing and organizing papers for what became the positio for advancing the sainthood cause of Dominican Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. She was elected general councilor for the congregation leadership team (1977-1982).

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Catriona taught at Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest (1955-1957, 1959-1962 and 1978). She served as associate dean for Rosary College Graduate School of Fine Arts, Florence, Italy, 1970-1972.

She is survived by a sister, Johanna Fraser.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Margaret “Peggy” (Mary Leon) Glynn, 87, died Dec. 31 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, she made her first profession in 1954 and her perpetual profession in 1958. She was a teacher, principal, director of religious education and pastoral minister in Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska and Oregon.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Visitation (1954-1957).

She is survived by three sisters, Elizabeth Kanz, Dominican Sister Mary Liana Glynn and Sharon Oberman; and a brother, Martin Glynn.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Elizabeth (Julianne) Toohey, 85, died Jan. 3 at her home in Richfield, Minnesota.

Born in Nebraska, she made her first profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1956 and her perpetual profession in 1959. She taught music, was a liturgist and did spiritual direction and formation work in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, as well as Florence, Italy.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Elizabeth taught music and coordinated the music programs at Visitation, St. Basil and St. Richard (1969-1970).

She is survived by a sister, Mary “Margaret” Johnson.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Zita Simon, 75, died Jan. 5 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, she made her first profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1965 and her perpetual profession in 1970. She served in the culinary arts and as an educator, pastoral associate, parish administrator and director of religious education in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois, Oklahoma and Alaska.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Zita served as a culinary artist at Queen of Peace Convent, Burbank (1970-1971), and primary education aide at St. Brendan (1971-1977). She taught at St. Sabina (1992-1995).

She is survived by a sister, Bernice Bergstrom, and two brothers, James Simon and Joe Simon.

Mercy Sister Mary Joan (Joseph Marie) Lang, 90, died Jan. 6.

Born in Iowa, she followed her sister, Sister Mary Avellino, into the Sisters of Mercy, entering the community in 1957 and professing perpetual vows in 1965.

For more than 30 years, Sister Joan taught in various parochial schools in Park Forest, Des Plaines, Park Ridge and Chicago, as well as in Iowa. She also was assistant principal at Mary, Seat of Wisdom School, Park Ridge, from 1970 to 1978.

Sister Joan went into pastoral care in 1994, serving at St. Benedict Home in Niles. Six years later, however, she returned to teaching, serving as a part-time substitute at St. Angela. She stayed at St. Angela for nearly 15 years, teaching part-time as well as assisting as support staff.

Jesuit Father Charles “Chuck” W. Niehaus, 75, died Jan. 10 in Clarkston, Michigan.

Born in Cincinnati, he was ordained in 1972 and spent his life in pastoral ministry to the Latino community, including at Holy Family (Roosevelt Road) (1976-1983), St. Ignatius Parish (1992-1995) and St. Procopius (1995-2003, 2012-2013).

Father Niehaus spoke and worked in Spanish without ever having lived in a Spanish-speaking country. During formation, he participated in the “Horizons for Justice” program in which North American Jesuits spent some weeks in Latin America to directly experience situations of social injustice.

He is survived by a brother, William, and sisters Clarissa and Carol.

Daughter of Charity Sister Margaret (Margaret Catherine) Polheber, 91, died Jan. 10 in Evansville, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, Sister Margaret graduated from Jones Commercial High School in 1947 and entered the Daughters of Charity in St. Louis in 1951.

Sister Margaret worked in the business offices and as an administrator at hospitals in Tennessee, Indiana, California, Texas and Wisconsin.

In 1975, she was missioned to Chicago, where she served as a parish visitor at St. Patrick Parish for two years and then did outreach to the elderly with St. Vincent de Paul Senior Services until 1981.

She then became provincial treasurer in Evansville and later served in a variety of ministries in Alabama, Tennessee and Maryland, in addition to Indiana.

Father Joseph E. Auer, 89, died Dec. 14. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former associate pastor of St. Linus Parish, Oak Lawn.

Born in Pittsburgh, he moved to the Chicago area and attended St. Edmund School, Oak Park; Quigley Preparatory Seminary; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1957.

He was assistant pastor of St. Thomas More; St. Angela; Most Holy Redeemer, Evergreen Park; and St. Bridget. He was pastor of St. Catherine Laboure, Glenview, and associate pastor of St. Ferdinand; Queen of the Universe; St. Theresa, Palatine; and St. Linus.

Father William Finnegan, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of the Woods, said he will miss his classmate with whom he was blessed to live at the Bishop Timothy Lyne Residence for the past three years.

“Joe was always a very friendly parish priest,” Finnegan said. “He loved being with people and he dedicated his life to that end. He had a wonderful smile and was very humble and gentle.”

Father Thomas M. Dore, 85, died Dec. 17. A retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, he was pastor emeritus of St. Giles Parish, Oak Park.

Born in Chicago, he attended Our Lady of Victory School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1961.

He was assistant pastor of St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates; St. Priscilla; and St. Justin the Martyr.

Father Dore also served as associate director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and associate pastor of St. Cyprian, River Grove. He was then pastor of Our Lady of Ransom, Niles, and St. Giles, Oak Park, where he served until he retired in 2009.

Father Daniel Coughlin, retired archdiocesan priest, met Father Dore in high school and their friendship grew through the years.

“He was a faithful and loyal friend, very compassionate to people in need and searching for more of Christ in their lives,” Coughlin said.

Father Herbert J. Meyr, 85, died Dec. 22. He was the former pastor of St. James Parish, Maywood.

Born in Chicago, Father Meyr attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1960.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Teresa of Avila, St. James (Wabash Avenue) and St. Anne (Garfield Boulevard). He was pastor of St. Francis de Paula (1971-1988) and St. James, Maywood (1988-2006).

Father Louis J. Zake, retired archdiocesan priest, remembered his classmate as a “phenomenal priest, a great pastor always concerned for his people.”

Deacon Felix Patiño, 49, died Dec. 15 after being ill for several years. He was ordained in 2010 and served at St. Clare of Montefalco and Our Lady of the Snows parishes.

Deacon Patiño is survived by his wife, Lorena, and his children, Maricruz and Marian Patiño; his parents, Florencio and Piedad Patiño; and his siblings, Beatriz Figueroa, Raul Patiño, Araceli Patiño, Juan Patiño, Guadalupe Patiño, Miguel Patiño and Eva Rojas.

Deacon John Lucas, 75, died Dec. 21. He was ordained in 2004, and served as executive director of Amate House and Joseph and Mary Retreat House and at various parishes.

Deacon Lucas was an alumnus of Loyola Academy, Wilmette (1963), Marquette University, Milwaukee (1967) and Loyola University Chicago (2004), and he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army.

He and his wife of 52 years, Patricia, were dedicated members of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Northfield.

In 1975, he founded the Lucas Company with his father and brother. His business leadership continued at Holmes Engraving.

In 2000, he moved to a life of service, and four years later was ordained a deacon. He was a counselor at the Samaritan Institute and various parishes, and he was executive director of Amate House and Mary and Joseph Retreat House.

In addition to his wife, Deacon Lucas is survived by his children John Lucas III, Mary Beth LoVerdi, Megan Leadbetter and Michael Lucas; 14 grandchildren; and siblings Lynn Martin, Jerome Lucas and Lawrence Lucas.

Providence Sister Margaret (Jude Ann) Nau, 81, died Nov. 10 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, Sister Peggy entered the Sisters of Providence in 1961 and professed final vows in 1969.

She ministered in education and parish work and as a chaplain in Indiana, North Dakota, Kentucky and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was a chaplain at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn (2001-2013).

Sister Peggy is survived by a brother, Thomas Nau, and three sisters, Mary Ann Johnson, Kathleen Caffigan and Sally Smith.

Providence Sister Regis (Dorothy Marie) McNulty, 92, died Dec. 4 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Massachusetts, Sister Regis entered the Sisters of Providence in 1948 and professed final vows in 1955.

She ministered in education and as a therapist and clinical supervisor in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. David (1950-1952); St. Athanasius, Evanston (1952-1953); St. Andrew (1953-1954); and Our Lady of Mercy (1958-1959).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Joan (Deirdre) O’Shea, 90, died Dec. 7 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first vows in 1950 and her perpetual vows in 1953. She taught and was a principal; served for 16 years at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest; ministered as a chaplain, director of chaplains and in pastoral care; and was the provincial of the Eastern Province of the Sinsinawa Dominicans for four years. She served in New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Joan taught at St. Barnabas (1959-1960). She served as assistant professor (1965-1973), dean of students (1965-1973, 1974-1975), promoter of mission integration (2001-2006) and faculty (2006-2008) at Rosary College/Dominican University. She was the provincial for the Eastern Province of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation while living in River Forest (1988-1992).

She is survived by a sister, Therese Duranso.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Florence (Petra) Gavin, 91, died Dec. 8 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Florence made her first vows in 1950 and her perpetual vows in 1953. She taught and served as director of religious education, nurse’s aide and pastoral care minister. Sister Florence served in Illinois, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Iowa, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Hawaii and Tennessee, as well as Cochabamba, Bolivia.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Florence taught at St. Richard (1950-1951), St. Sabina (1964-1965, 1969-1970) and Visitation (1976-1977, 1981-1982).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Christiane Althaus, 86, died Dec. 14 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Mundelein, Sister Christiane made her first vows in 1954 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

She taught in the classroom for 39 years and taught music for one year, with seven more as choir teacher while serving as classroom teacher. Sister Christiane worked and volunteered in the archives at the motherhouse for 20 years. Sister Christiane served in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Alabama.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Christiane taught at St. Brendan (1968-1970); Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1970-1974); and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1974-1983).

She is survived by a brother, Lasallian Christian Brother Louis Althaus.

Sister of St. Casimir Mary Philip Ramoska, 100, died Dec. 17 in Lemont.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she completed her high school education at St. Casimir Academy, Chicago. She entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1941, making her first profession of vows in 1943 and her perpetual vows in 1948.

Sister Mary Philip first worked in the dietary departments of Holy Cross Hospital and Loretto Hospital and Holy Family Villa, Lemont. Between 1946 and 1959, she also did dietary work in Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. After training as licensed practical nurse, she ministered for 21 years in Pennsylvania, and then for 18 years in the Archdiocese of Chicago at the Sisters of St. Casimir Motherhouse infirmary.

She most recently served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Providence Sister Nancy (Jean Paula) Nolan, 84, died on Dec. 20 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Galesburg, Sister Nancy entered the Sisters of Providence in 1955 and professed final vows in 1962.

She taught in elementary schools, worked in administrative and leadership roles and was elected provincial of St. Joseph Province and then general superior of the congregation. After retiring, she served as vocations office coordinator for her congregation and coordinated the Sisters of Providence volunteer ministry at the U.S. Penitentiary Prison Camp in Terre Haute, Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Angela (1965-1971) and was co-provincial of St. Joseph Province, Park Ridge (1975-1983); programs director for the Institute for Spiritual Leadership (1997-1999); and president of Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1999-2008).

Father John J. Kastigar, 94, died Nov. 27. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former United States Air Force chaplain.

Born in Cicero, Father Kastigar attended St. Odilo Catholic School in Berwyn, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1952.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Frances of Rome, Cicero, and Our Lady of the Snows. He then served as an Air Force chaplain from 1961 to 1982. After a sabbatical and assisting at St. Alexander Parish, Palos Heights, for several months, Father Kastigar returned to the military chaplaincy at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he served for 30 years.

“He loved the church and was so happy to be a priest,” said Father Jim Kastigar, associate pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia and Father John Kastigar’s nephew. According to Father Jim Kastigar, his uncle served as a military chaplain in difficult places, such as in Alaska and Germany during the Cold War, in Panama during the transfer of the canal to the Panamanians. However, he used to say that wherever he went God’s people were always good to him.

Father Martin N. Winters, 94, died Nov. 28. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Mundelein Seminary professor and former NBC Chicago television host.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Columbanus School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1952.

After ordination, he served as assistant pastor of St. Barbara, Brookfield, and St. Sylvester. He joined the faculty of Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1955 and the faculty of Mundelein Seminary, where he taught church history, in 1961. He served as academic dean of Niles College of Loyola University for 18 years.

During Fathers Winters’ teaching years at Quigley Preparatory Seminary in the late 1950s, among the many seminarians was Monsignor Wayne Prist, now pastor emeritus of Queen of All Saints Basilica, who appreciated his professor’s engaging, challenging and playful approach. “I respected his knowledge of history,” Prist said. In the late 1960s, Prist served as a television producer for WMAQ-TV. When he needed a host for the Gamut program, his articulate and confident professor came to mind. As it turned out, Father Winters thrived in that role for 10 years as he interviewed guests on a variety of topics.

Felician Sister Mary Placidia (Hedwig) Kuligot, 98, died Nov. 11 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Chicago, she attended Good Counsel High School and joined the Felician Sisters aspirancy. She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1941 and professed her final vows in 1949. She ministered for 48 years as a teacher and tutor in elementary schools in Illinois and Minnesota. She later served in support services at St. Mary Hospital in Centralia for more than 20 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Holy Innocents (1941-1942, 1968-1971); Good Shepherd (1943-1944); Sacred Heart (1944-1948, 1959-1965); St. Stanislaus, Posen (1965-1966); and St. Isidore, Blue Island (1971-1994).

Providence Sister Josephine (Louise Joseph) Paolinelli, 84, of Northlake, died on Nov. 17 at Amita Alexian Brothers Hospice in Elk Grove Village.

Born in Chicago, she attended Our Lady of Sorrows School and Providence High School. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1956 and professed final vows in 1963. She ministered in education and as a business officer and treasurer in Indiana and Illinois. After retiring in 2007, she remained in the Chicago area, where she first cared for her mother and then ministered as a hospital volunteer. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Sorrows (1965-1968) and St. Genevieve (1969-1970) and was business manager at Providence-St. Mel High School; business office administrator at Sacred Heart of Mary, Rolling Meadows (1975-1980); treasurer for her community’s St. Joseph Province, Park Ridge (1980-1989); business manager (1990-1993) and director of finances (1993-2007) at Notre Dame High School for Girls; and volunteered at Guerin College Prep (2007-2008) and Gottlieb Hospital, Melrose Park (2010-2020). 

Providence Sister Mary Lee (Irma) Mettler, 88, died Nov. 24 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1951 and professed final vows in 1959.

She ministered in education, parish work and as a retreat director in Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Athanasius, Evanston (1954); and St. Mel (1959-1962).

Sister Mary Lee had many gifts which she shared generously. A woman of considerable artistic talent, she was known for her skill in photography and her beautiful and meticulous craft work. 

She is survived by a sister, Connie Rurka.

Claretian Brother Richard L. Paquette, 81, died Nov. 28 in Brookfield.

Growing up in Massachusetts, he learned about the Claretians from his mother, who had a devotion to St. Jude.

He joined the Claretians in 1959, attending St. Jude Seminary in Momence, Illinois, and completing his university studies at Indiana State University in 1964.

He served at the Claretian mission of Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Livingston, Guatemala, from 1964 to 1969 and 1984 to 1987. After returning to the United States, he served as a religion teacher and sports director of St. Ann’s Catholic Grade School, a Native American mission in North Dakota, until 1975.

He served at Holy Cross-Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish from 2003 to 2005. He also ministered in parishes in New Jersey and Tennessee.

In 2010, he retired and became a resident of the Claretian community in Oak Park. He moved to a nursing home in Chicago in 2016 because of chronic health issues, and from there to the British Home, his final place of residence.

Providence Sister Betty (Clare Patrice) Donoghue, 83, died on Dec. 1 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Massachusetts, Sister Betty entered the Sisters of Providence in 1954 and professed final vows in 1962.

She ministered as a primary teacher and in health care in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and she was a spiritual companion to death row prisoners in the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Sorrows (1967-1958) and was a nurse’s aide at Norwood Park Home (1980-1981).

BVM Sister Anita (Felicity) Montavon, 82, died Dec. 2 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in DeKalb, Illinois, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary congregation in 1956 and professed final vows in 1964.

In Chicago, she taught at Holy Name Elementary School; worked as a librarian at Our Lady of Lourdes, Sulzer Public Library and River Forest Public Library; served in pastoral ministry at Ravenswood Hospital; and was an office manager.

Sister Anita also ministered in East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and in Colorado, Montana, Washington and Wyoming.

She is survived by her twin sister Miriam Montavon and sisters Jane Bleivik, Ruth Graves and Terese Byrne.

Deacon Gerald Zych, 78, died Nov. 10.

He was ordained in 1987 and served at St. Giles Parish, Oak Park.

In the parish, Deacon Zych Gerry presided over baptisms and pet blessings, Ash Wednesday prayer services and Lenten Stations of the Cross.

He and his wife of 52 years, Madonna, were instrumental in liturgical celebrations for the parish’s annual marriage anniversary Masses and observances of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day, as well as hospitality Sundays.

Deacon Zych is survived by his wife; his children, George and Geralanne; and two grandchildren.

Sister of St. Casimir Lorraine Therese Siminas, 86, died Oct. 24 in Lemont.

Born in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, she grew up a parishioner of Our Lady of Vilna Parish. She graduated from Visitation Catholic School and completed high school at St. Casimir Academy. She made her first profession of vows in 1953 and her perpetual vows as a Sister of St. Casimir in 1958.

Sister Lorraine Therese’s ministry for 53 years was in education, teaching mostly in the primary grades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Holy Cross, Town of Lake (1954-1956); Nativity BVM (1960-1964, 1970-1971); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1965-1968); St. George (Bridgeport) (1976-1973, 1981-1982); Providence of God (Pilsen) (1973-1875); Sts. Peter and Paul (West Pullman) (1975-1977); and Our Lady of Vilna (Pilsen, 1980-1981). She also taught in New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as in Plano, Illinois.

Sister Lorraine Therese most recently served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont. 

Benedictine Sister Victoria (Lorenzia) Marconi, 97, died Nov. 5 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

Sister Victoria was born in Pennsylvania and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Elk County at St. Joseph Monastery in 1944. She professed first vows in 1945 and perpetual vows in 1948. The rite of consecration of virgins was reintroduced in the time of Pope Pius XII around 1950, and Sister Victoria engaged in this rite on the 13th anniversary of her vows.

Her 69 years of active ministry were primarily in teaching first graders in the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania. Sister corresponded with many of them until the time of her unexpected death.

In 2013, when the Benedictine community at St. Joseph Monastery could no longer remain independent, Sister Victoria asked to transfer to the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago and began her first year of residence in St. Joseph Court, the infirmary at St. Scholastica Monastery. The transfer of her vows was finalized in 2014 and she celebrated both her 70th and 75th jubilees in Chicago.

Columban Father Charles Joseph O’Rourke, 90, died Nov. 6 in Papillion, Nebraska.

Born in Iowa, he joined the Columban Fathers as a high school student and was ordained at St. Columban’s Major Seminary in Massachusetts in 1957. From 1958 until 1985, he was mostly on mission in South Korea. Upon returning to the United States, he pastored Korean Catholic communities in Chicago, Los Angeles and Omaha. After a transfer to the Columban headquarters in Bellevue, Nebraska, he continued ministry to the Korean Catholics of the area and to contemplative prayer groups.

He is survived by two of his sisters, Rita Gubbels and Sister Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM, of Omaha, and many nieces and nephews.

Dominican Sister Maria del Rey Hunt, 91, died Nov. 9 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Sister Maria del Rey made her first profession in 1960 with the Pious Union of the Dominican Mission Sisters. They disbanded in 1967, and she transferred her vows to the Dominican Sisters of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and in 1968 transferred her vows to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. Sister Maria del Rey made her perpetual profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa in 1969. She then ministered as a social worker, parish worker, chaplain for 20 years and transportation driver for one year. Sister Maria del Rey served in Illinois, Colorado, Nebraska, California, Texas and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Maria del Rey served as a psychiatric social worker at two Pilsen mental health clinics (now Pilsen Wellness Center) (1968-1971), and as a driver at Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest (1985-1986).

She is survived by a sister, Mary DeLuca.

Father Ronald E. Scarlata, 81, died Nov. 1. He was pastor of St. James Parish, Highwood.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Ignatius High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1966.

After ordination, Father Scarlata served as assistant pastor of St. John Bosco and St. William parishes. Later, he was associate pastor of St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park; Divine Savior, Norridge; and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village. Father Scarlata served as pastor of Immaculate Conception (Aberdeen Street) and St. James, Highwood, where he received the title of pastor emeritus after retiring.

Father Leroy A. Wickowski, pastor emeritus of St. Robert Bellarmine, had been great friends with Father Scarlata since their seminary years. Wickowski said his classmate retired early due to health reasons but continued to be of assistance celebrating weekend Masses at several parishes.

Adrian Dominican Sister Marie Bride (Therese Rita) Walsh, 100, died Sept. 26 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 81st year of her religious profession.

Sister Marie Bride spent 67 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Michigan, Florida, California and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Aquinas High School (1945-1951) and Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1976-2007).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Estelle (Mary Cabrini) Wiltz, 93, died Oct. 21 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Peoria, Sister Estelle made her first religious profession in 1947 and her perpetual profession in 1950. She was a teacher, principal, support staff member, institutional buyer, pastoral minister and assistant prioress at Trinity Convent, River Forest. She served in Illinois, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Estelle taught at Epiphany (1947-1954) and St. Thomas More (1967-1969). She served as assistant prioress at Trinity Convent (1995-1998).

Sister of St. Casimir Lucille Ann Bandyk, 87, died Oct. 23 in Lemont.

Born in the Brighton Park neighborhood of Chicago, she graduated from Immaculate Conception School (44th Street) and St. Casimir Academy. After entering the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1949, she made her first profession of vows in 1952 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

Sister Lucille Ann ministered in education for 41 years in both the junior high and high school levels, primarily in the Archdiocese of Chicago. After teaching third and fourth grade at St. George (Bridgeport) (1952-1953), she taught junior high at St. Pius X, Stickney (1959-1960; 1961-1962); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1960-1961); St. Bartholomew, Waukegan (1962-1963); St. Anthony, Cicero (1963-1965); and Sts. Peter and Paul (West Pullman) (1965-1967). She also taught in schools in New Mexico, Michigan and Minnesota.

She ministered at Maria High School from 1969 to 2009, teaching social studies and U.S. history, along with serving as dean of students, moderator of the Father’s Club and secretary.

Recently, Sister Lucille Ann participated in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Deacon Gary Long, 86, died Oct. 9. He was ordained in 1999.

He served at St. Mary, Buffalo Grove, until retiring and moving to Florida with his wife, Jere, in 2019.

In addition to his wife, Deacon Long is survived by two daughters, Jennifer and Julie.

Sister of St. Casimir Delphine Grigas, 104, died Oct 11.

Born in Pennsylvania, she entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1938. She made her first profession of vows in 1941 and made her final vows in 1946. 

For 35 years, Sister Delphine taught children in grades one through eight in eight different states.  In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Delphine taught at Immaculate Conception (44th Street, 1940-1942; 1955-1956); St. Anthony (1953-1955); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1964-1967); and St. Pius X, Stickney (1974-1975). She served at St. Bartholomew in Waukegan from 1983 to 1984 and as a teacher’s aide and tutor at St. Norbert from 1984 to 1990. She also taught in elementary schools in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, California, Rhode Island and New Mexico. 

Sister Delphine then ministered at Holy Cross Hospital in pastoral care from 1975 to 1983. 

Sister Delphine retired in 2004 and most recently participated in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Viatorian Father James F. Fanale, 77, died unexpectedly on Oct. 13 in St. Anne, Illinois.

Born in Springfield, Illinois, Father Fanale pronounced his first vows in 1961 and was ordained in 1969 in Springfield.

He held both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English literature from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a doctorate in medieval English literature from the University of Illinois.

He taught high school and college and worked on post-graduate studies before beginning work on the history of the Viatorians in the Chicago Province (1990-1996), and taught part time at DePaul University (1990-1992). His last assignment came in 1996, when he was assigned as pastor of St. Anne Church in St. Anne. He retired in 2019 but continued to live in the community.

He is survived by his brothers Michael and Thomas Fanale and his sister Trudi Fanale.

Providence Sister Dorothy (Irene Therese) Drobis, 88, died Oct. 15.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1952 and professed final vows in 1959.

Of her 68 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as teacher for 40 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma and North Carolina. After retiring from teaching, she coordinated the memorial program at Misericordia Home in Chicago for five years. In 2000, she returned to the motherhouse and served her sisters as coordinator of health care transportation.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Sylvester (1970-1973), St. Andrew (1973-1976), Maternity BVM (1976-1984) and St. Mark (1984-1994) and ministered at Misericordia Home (1995-2000).

BVM Sister Barbara Jean (Jean Vincent) Tascher, 85, died Oct. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Charity BVM in 1952. She professed first vows in 1955 and final vows in 1960.

Sister Barbara Jean was an elementary teacher at St. Vincent in Chicago and St. Mary in DeKalb, Illinois. She also taught or ministered in Kansas City, Missouri; Phoenix; Santa Ana, Burbank, Orange and North Hollywood, California.

She is survived by a brother, Vincent Tascher, and sisters Carol Klenke and Mary Louise Tascher.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Michelle Germanson, 76, died Oct. 21. She served as president of Trinity High School, River Forest, from 1992 to 2018 and was the school’s first president.

Sister Michelle entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1965. Her first role at Trinity was as a member of the school’s first Board of Directors, beginning in 1990. That board made the unanimous decision to remain a single-gender girls’ high school under the Sinsinawa corporation. After careful study of the president/principal model, Sister Michelle, then dean of students at Rosary College (now Dominican University), was offered the presidency role at Trinity in 1992.

Sister Michelle was a tireless champion for the school, working with the board to develop a strategy and prioritize goals. She was determined to elevate academics, build spirit and engage community.

Under her leadership, Trinity became the first Catholic high school in Illinois to adopt the International Baccalaureate program in 1994 and adopted a full block schedule in 1995. The school also upgraded technology and engaged in a capital campaign to build what would become the Sister Michelle Germanson Athletic Facility in 2003. The school later added a health and fitness center to the facility.

Throughout her tenure, she partnered with four principals, 14 board chairs and 27 boards.

“She was devoted to Trinity and held the students and her Sinsinawa family in the highest regard as she worked daily to fulfill the mission,” said current Trinity president, Laura Curley. “Her efforts were dedicated to educating and empowering young women to learn and grow to be their best. She continued to be an inspiration of faith, study, prayer, warmth and laughter. We convey our deep gratitude for her contributions to this amazing school. Forever, her spirit will continue to inspire generations of our Trinity family and friends. She made a holy difference and with profound gratitude, we wish her the fullness of peace.”

Father Donald J. Fenske, 88, died Oct. 12. He was pastor emeritus of the former Our Lady of Knock Parish, now the Our Lady of Knock Worship Site of Jesus, Shepherd of Souls Parish, in Calumet City.

Born in Chicago, Father Fenske attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1958.

He served at St. Bartholomew; St. Pascal; St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect; St. Beatrice Parish, Schiller Park; and Our Lady of Hope, Rosemont, before becoming pastor of Our Lady of Knock, where he served until 2002.

Father Pat Lyons met Father Fenske more than 20 years ago when he arrived as associate pastor of Our Lady of Knock.

“He will be remembered for his kindness, quiet side and his sense of humor,” Lyons said.

Sister of St. Agnes Sister Mary Dennis (Mary Therese) McMahon, 92, died Sept. 22 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, Elmhurst, then entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac. She was in her 72nd year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Dennis ministered as an elementary-grade teacher and was principal both in grade and high schools in Illinois, Indiana, New York and Wisconsin for over 50 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Dennis served at St. Nicholas, Evanston (1951-1956, 1969-75), St. Zachary, Des Plaines (1963-1969), St. Joseph (Orleans Street) (1988-1992) and St. Thomas of Canterbury (1992-2001).

Sister of Christian Charity Helen (Elizabeth) Kron, 91, died Oct. 5 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette, Illinois. 

Born in Chicago, she entered the novitiate and was given the name Sister Helen in 1948 and made her first vows in 1950.

She served at schools in Michigan, Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota before returning to Wilmette in 1977. At Mallinckrodt College, she served as registrar and then administrative secretary. In 1980, she served at Josephinum High School as the office clerk.

In 1981, Sister Helen moved to Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette, serving as portress for three years and then supervising the housekeeping staff until 2017.

Benedictine Sister Mary Ann (Veronica) O’Ryan, 78, died Oct. 5 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

Sister Mary Ann grew up in St. Symphorosa Parish and attended Mount Assisi High School in Lemont before entering St. Scholastica Monastery in 1960. She made her first vows in 1962, while studying at Mundelein College.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Ann taught in parish schools at Queen of All Saints (1963-1964; 1970-1973), St. Hilary (1964-1965; 1973-1974; principal 1974-1980), St. Scholastica Academy (dean of students 1980-1982, 1998-2012), Children of Peace (1994-1998).

Sister Mary Ann taught Western civilization, U.S. history, world history and gender history (1988-1991, 1993-1994)  at Loyola University Chicago. She also taught in Colorado.

She served for four years as prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago beginning in 1982 and as treasurer of the community since 2012. She also was  president of Illinois Treasurers of Religious Institutes.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Helen (Marie Clara) Martin, 93, died Oct. 9 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Illinois, Sister Helen made her first religious profession in 1947 and her perpetual profession in 1950.

She was a teacher, principal and community leader who ministered in Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Minnesota, Alabama and Washington.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Helen taught at St. Thomas the Apostle (1957-1958) and Westside Education Center (2001-2003). She served as principal at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1969-1976); as vicaress provincial of the Southeast Province for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation (1968-1972); and prioress of Divine Providence Convent, Des Plaines (2004-2007).

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Claire Gonsowski, 90, died Oct. 13.

Sister Claire was born in Chicago and attended St. Fidelis Parish. She was in religious life for 72 years.

She was a teacher and principal at schools in Illinois and Indiana, a chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center and a caregiver for the elderly and children.

She is survived by her siblings Dolores, Lillian and Frank.

Deacon James “Larry” Conway Sr., 86, died Sept. 22. He was ordained in 1987 and served at St. Barnabas Parish.

Deacon Conway enjoyed working behind the scenes, said Father James Donovan, St. Barnabas pastor.

“You didn’t really know everything he was doing until he wasn’t there,” Donovan said.

Deacon Conway brought Communion to and visited people in nursing homes and was an avid Cubs fan, Donovan said.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanne; his children Mary Gilroy, Kathy White, Kevin Michael Conway and Carolyn Roberson; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Colleen Schramm and Kathy Maryniak.

Deacon Michael J. Principe, 94, died Sept. 26. He was ordained in 1978 and served at St. Gertrude, Franklin Park, and at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Bensenville, in the Diocese of Joliet.

Deacon Principe was a native of Franklin Park and an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.

He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Annmarie, and three of his children. He is survived by his daughter Meghan Principe and three grandchildren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Patricia “Patt” (Charissa) Smith, 92, died Sept. 2 at the Sinsinawa motherhouse.

Born in Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953.

Sister Patt was a teacher, catechist, provincial councillor, campus minister, dean of students, pastoral associate and director of ministry development. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, Texas and Arizona, as well as Bolivia and Italy.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Patt taught at Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1950-1953) and Visitation High School (1972-1976). She served the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Congregation as provincial councillor of the Southeast Province while living in Chicago (1972-1976) and was a campus minister at Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest (1979-1981). Sr. Patt served as dean of students at Rosary College Graduate School of Fine Arts at Villa Schifanoia, Florence, Italy (1981-1983).

Mercy Sister Margaret Mary Knittel, 80, died Sept. 8.

Born in Chicago, she attended Catholic schools, graduating from Nazareth High School in 1957. She entered the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 22.

She taught at Mother McAuley High School, where Sister Sue Sanders, leader of the West Midwest Community, remembers having her as a teacher.

“For me, as a high school freshman, Sister Margaret Mary was a dynamic, energetic and renowned mathematics teacher. An excellent writer, yes, but she was also a poet, whimsical and profound. Margaret’s mind was breath-taking to behold.”

She also taught in Ottawa and was associate director of religious education for the Diocese of Rockford before becoming director of operations at ACTA/Life in Christ in Chicago.

She was personnel director at Saint Xavier College (now University) from 1980 to 1987, before earning a Master of Divinity degree. She then served as director of religious education at St. Mary Parish in Chicago.

She was a grant consultant at Presence Mercy Medical Center for 15 years, and then, after retiring from full-time ministry, she served her community.

Divine Word Father Felix Eckerman, 100, died in Techny on Sept. 13. He was the oldest Divine Word Missionary in North America.

A pioneering missionary in India for more than half a century, Father Eckerman was the last surviving member of one of the largest ordination classes in Techny history.

Born in Colorado and raised in Akron, Ohio, he enrolled in the Divine Word Seminary in Girard, Pennsylvania, at age 14, and continued his formation at St. Mary’s Seminary (now Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1947.

Father Eckerman became a priest the same day that India became a country. He arrived in India the following year, and ministered there for 51 years, visiting villages on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, serving as novice master and then as seminary rector.

In 1999, Father Eckerman returned to the United States and served five years as chaplain to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in St. Louis before retiring to Techny in 2006.

He is survived by three sisters: Dominican Sister Irene Eckerman, Mary Kay Goodley and Terry Falter.

Sister of St. Joseph Leyla P. Cerda-Sanchez, 60, died Sept. 14 at the Congregation of St. Joseph Center in La Grange Park.

Born in Nicaragua, she immigrated to the United States with her brother in the 1970s to pursue her education. The rest of her family also immigrated to the United States and settled in New Orleans.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille in New Orleans in 1996 and professed final vows in 2000.

She ministered in Catholic immigration legal and social services and as a chaplain in university ministry at Loyola University in New Orleans and at Taller de Jose, Chicago; St. Joseph Press and TEACH, La Grange Park; and St. Barbara Parish, Brookfield.

Sister Leyla is survived by her sisters Regina Cerda Guidry and Soledad Cerda Guidry and her brothers Enrique F. Cerda and Carlos M. Cerda.

Deacon Edmund J. Gronkiewicz, 81, died Sept. 2. He served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

Deacon Gronkiewicz was born and grew up on the Southwest Side. He attended St. Casimir School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Loyola University Chicago, and he received his bachelor’s, master’s and law degrees all within four years of each other. A polyglot, Edmund was fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, French, Russian and Polish.

In addition to serving as a deacon, he was active in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, the Order of Sts. Maurice and Lazarus and the Constantinian Order of St. George. He was a life member and former legal counsel of the Polish Museum of America and a 49-year member of the Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance.

Deacon Gronkiewicz had been a probate and estate planning lawyer for 55 years.

Adrian Dominican Sister Barbara (Gerald Cecilia) Gass, 93, died March 23 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 75th year of her religious life.

Sister Barbara ministered in education in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Florida, and in the office of her congregation in Michigan. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught music at Queen of Angels School (1946-1948).

She is survived by her sister, Sister Mary Louise Gass.

Adrian Dominican Sister Carolyn (Angelita) Nelson, 87, died April 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 67th year of her religious life.

Sister Carolyn ministered in education and congregation administration and as a pastoral associate in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary, Star of the Sea (1952, 1963-1965) and was provincial administrator for the St. Dominic Province, Hometown (1975-1979).

Adrian Dominican Sister Pauline (Rose Angeline) Richter, 86, died May 18 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in New Mexico, she was in the 66th year of her religious life.

Sister Pauline ministered in Illinois, Michigan and New Mexico.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Ascension, Harvey (1957-1960); Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1964-1965); Aquinas High School (1965-1966); Our Lady of Good Counsel (1966-1968); and Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1968-1970).

She is survived by sisters Maxine Garcia, Norma Stoll, Georgia Kincaid, Mary Antonette Kropog and Sheryl Warden.

Adrian Dominican Sister Margaret (Thomas Owen) Mehigan, 93, died May 19 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she attended Academy of Our Lady High School before entering religious life 74 years ago.

She ministered in Michigan, New Mexico, Arizona, Iowa, Puerto Rico, Florida, California and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Clare of Montefalco (1955-1957); taught and was guidance director at Aquinas High School (1957-1966); was guidance director at Mother of Sorrows, Blue Island (1971-1974); was provincial administrator for St. Dominic Province, Hometown (1979-1981); did clinical pastoral education at Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge (1982); was chapter prioress for the Midwest Dominican Chapter, Hometown (1982-1985); and provided pastoral care at Ravenswood Hospital (1998-2001).

Springfield Dominican Sister M. Jeanine (Catherine Patricia) McGinley, 99, died Aug. 17 in Springfield, Illinois.

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at St. Clement Parish. She joined the Dominicans at the age of 16, and in 1938 professed her vows at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield.

Sister M. Jeanine gave almost her entire teaching ministry to kindergarten and primary school children in Illinois. She taught in Springfield, East Moline, Elgin and Chicago, including at Our Lady of Grace School.

School Sister of St. Francis Georgia (Virginia) Brost, 93, died Aug. 21 in Milwaukee.

Born in Wisconsin, she was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1946 and made final vows in 1954.

Sister Georgia ministered in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin for more than seven decades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Blessed Agnes (1951-1952), St. Cyprian, River Grove (1956-1959) and St. Catherine Laboure, Glenview (1964-1966). 

Sister Georgia is survived by three brothers: Father Frederick Brost, David Brost and John Brost; and three sisters: Janice Brost, Patricia Nickley and Donna Tamasaki.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Baptist Stohrer, 93, died Aug. 31 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Urbana, Sister Baptist made her first religious profession in 1947 and her perpetual profession in 1950.

She primarily taught music in elementary and high schools for 20 years before beginning a 40-year tenure in music at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest. She served in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Baptist taught at St. Cajetan (1947) and taught music at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest (1972-2013). She served as university ministry liturgist at Dominican University (2013-2014).

Jesuit Father Paul V. Mankowski, 66, died Sept. 3 in Evanston due to a brain hemorrhage.

Born in Indiana, he earned a degree in classics and philosophy from the University of Chicago before entering the Society of Jesus in 1976. He was ordained in 1987 and he professed final vows in 2012.

His other degrees included a master’s in classics from Oxford University, a Master of Divinity and a licentiate in sacred theology from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, and a doctorate in comparative Semitic philology from Harvard University.

Father Mankowski taught at Xavier University (1983-1984) and was a professor of Old Testament languages at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1994-2009). He also taught at Graham School of General Studies at the University of Chicago (2010-2011).  Father Mankowski spent a year as acting pastor of Sacred Heart Church English Language Parish in Amman, Jordan, before, in 2012, becoming a scholar-in-residence at Lumen Christi Institute, University of Chicago.

Father Joseph T. Cook, 61, died Aug. 17. He was associate pastor of St. Linus, Oak Lawn.

Born in Evergreen Park, Father Cook attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, Niles College Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

After being ordained in 1986, he served as associate pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and Holy Ghost, South Holland.

He was then pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Kieran, Chicago Heights, before being assigned as associate pastor of St. Linus.

Cook’s classmate and friend, Father James Presta, pastor of St. Emily, Mount Prospect, had known Father Joe since they both entered Niles College Seminary in 1978 as freshmen.

“Father Joe had a great smile and an infectious laugh, a deep, unwavering faith in the Lord and a passion for priestly ministry,” Presta said. “He has been a wonderful friend, a great classmate and brother priest to me. He will be sorely missed by his dear family and many friends, his seminary classmates and the many people whose hearts and souls he touched in parish life.”

Father William J. Costello, 82, died Aug. 23. He was a retired priest and former associate pastor of St. Eugene Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Gabriel School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1964.

Father Costello was assistant pastor of St. John of the Cross, Western Springs; St. Theodore; and St. Nicholas of Tolentine. He was associate pastor of St. Christina; Holy Cross, Deerfield; Prince of Peace, Lake Villa; and St. Peter, Antioch. He last served at St. Eugene Parish before retiring in 2008.

“Father Bill loved being a priest,” said Father John Ryan, pastor emeritus at St. Dismas Parish and a classmate of Costello. “He certainly loved the people at the parishes he served. He was a true servant of the Lord, very faithful to his duties and totally dedicated to his parishes.”

Deacon Louis “Bob” DeFiore, 84, of Huntley, died Aug. 26. He was ordained in 1978 and served for many years at St. John the Evangelist, Streamwood.

Deacon DeFirore was born in Chicago and met his wife, Carol, in high school. They married in 1957.

He worked as a pipefitter and was ordained a deacon in 1978. He served first at St. Ferdinand Parish and then at St. John the Evangelist.

According to the obituary posted by DeFiore Funeral Home, “He was called to share and live out God’s word, and becoming a deacon was a perfect fit for him and a vocation that he so loved doing.”

In 2001, he was the grateful recipient of a heart transplant.

Deacon DeFiore is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Robert DeFiore, Julie Arza, Mari Kaiser and Carol Lynn DeFiore; nine grandchildren; and siblings Marlene Sylvester and Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Carol DeFiore.

Sister of St. Casimir Margaret Mary Mazgelis, 94, died Aug. 5.

Born in Massachusetts, she completed her high school education at St. Casimir Academy in Chicago and entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1944. She made her first profession of vows in 1946 and made her final vows in 1951. 

Sister Margaret Mary ministered in elementary schools in Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Providence of God (1946-1950), St. Anthony, Cicero (1954), St. George (Bridgeport, 1954-1957), Nativity BVM (1957-1960) and Maria High School (1960-1983). She served as principal of Nativity BVM (1983-1996).

She served as congregational general secretary and then administrative assistant from 1996 to 2013. Most recently, Sister Margaret Mary participated in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Barbara (Richaria) Hutfless, 79, died Aug. 6 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Nebraska, she made her first religious profession in 1961, and her perpetual profession in 1966. She served as a culinary artist for 13 years and a teacher aide for two years before beginning a 29-year ministry of teaching. She served in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois and Colorado.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Barbara taught at St. Thomas the Apostle (1979-1987, 1995-2000) and St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn (2000-2003), and was a substitute teacher at St. Germaine, Oak Lawn (2003-2008).

She is survived by a sister, Patricia DeMare, and a brother, Richard Hutfless.

Redemptorist Father John (Jack) Ferdinand Willett, 84, died Aug. 15 at St. Clement Redemptorist Mission Community in Liguori, Missouri. He influenced generations of Redemptorist missionaries during the 20 years he was involved in formation ministry.

Born in Michigan, Father Willett entered the Redemptorist formation program at St. Joseph Preparatory College in Missouri and professed temporary vows in 1956. He made his final profession of vows in 1959 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1961.

He served at parishes and in preaching ministry in Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin and taught and worked in formation in Redemptorist seminaries. He also served in Nigeria.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he was pastor of St. Alphonsus (1975-1978, 1984-1990).

He retired and moved to St. Clement in Liguori in 2014.

Adrian Dominican Sister Sally Ann (William Rose) Fergus, 82, died Aug. 16 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Immaculata High School. She was in her 63rd year of religious life and had a master’s degree in education from DePaul University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago.

She taught and was a principal in Michigan, Florida and Illinois, and was a religious education consultant at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Catholic Education. She also served as prioress of the congregation’s Midwest chapter.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kilian (1960-1966); Ascension, Harvey (1966-1968); St. Philip Neri (1969-1970); and St. Columbanus (1970-1980). She was principal of St. Hilary (1980-1991); a religious education consultant in the archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Education (1993-1999); and Midwest chapter prioress in Burbank (1999-2008).

She is survived by a sister, Maureen McManus, and two brothers, Patrick Fergus and Thomas Fergus.

School Sister of St. Francis Marionita Gergen, 100, died Aug. 17 in Milwaukee.

Born in Nebraska, Sister Marionita was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1941 and made her final vows in 1949.

Sister Marionita ministered in Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin for more than seven decades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Martin School (1944-1949).

Sister Marionita is survived by a sister, Florence Dondlinger.

Providence Sister Joan (Denis Mary) Slobig, 77, died on Aug. 16 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago Heights, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1964 and professed final vows in 1975.

Sister Joan ministered in education and served as director of the congregation’s formation program, was elected to the general council in 1996 for a five-year term, served as administrator of St. Ann Clinic (now Wabash Valley Health Center) and then served as a parish life coordinator at Indiana parishes.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Providence-St. Mel High School (1969-1971) and was director of instruction at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1975-1977).

Sister Joan is survived by a sister, Judy Reagan, and her twin brother, Father John E. Slobig.

Providence Sister Barbara (Vincent Ferrer) Doherty, 88, died on Aug. 17 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1951 and professed final vows in 1958.

She was a teacher, theology professor and director of postulants before being elected to the provincial team for the Chicago area, serving as president of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, directing the Institute for Religious Life at Catholic Theological Union and coordinating the Shrine of St. Mother Theodore in St. Mary-of-the-Woods.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Immaculate Conception (1956-1960); St. Joseph Province, Park Ridge (1975-1983); Institute of Religious Formation, Catholic Theological Union (1999-2007).

Mercy Sister Patricia A. (Mary Keverne) Murphy, 85, died Aug. 19.

Born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, she attended St. Clotilde School and Mercy High School, before she entered the novitiate in 1952.

After earning her nursing degree in 1984, Sister Pat remained in Chicago, serving at Misericordia Home South and Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. However, in 1988, she was called to return as principal of Queen of Martyrs until her retirement in 1994. Sister Pat then volunteered as a nurse diabetes educator with the Chicago Department of Public Health, Mercy Family Health Center, and Mercy Hospital Diabetes Treatment Center, where she led classes on diabetes self-management skills.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Regina (Helen) Jaszwinski, 90, died May 17 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

 Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1948. In the Chicago area, she taught at St. Hyacinth; St. Ladislaus; Immaculate Heart of Mary; St. Hedwig; St. Patricia; St. Emily, Mount Prospect; St. Camillus; St. Gilbert, Grayslake; and St. Ann (Pilsen) schools. She also spent six years teaching in Texas. She retired from teaching in 2004 and ministered at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center (now AMITA Health Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center) as a part-time receptionist for nine years.

In 2013, she transferred to Nazarethville, where she ministered to the residents, praying for and with them. She continued to be active for all 90 years of her life.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Ruth Mary Coleman, 87, died July 29 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Oak Park, Sister Ruth Mary made her first religious profession in 1954 and her perpetual profession in 1957.

She taught in schools for 19 years and ministered in religious education for 21 years and spiritual direction for five years. Sister Ruth Mary found great joy in free verse poetry and shared her works with many.

She served in South Dakota, Illinois, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Alabama, Florida and New Mexico.

She is survived by two sisters, Susan O’Regan and Karen Schwartz.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Colleen (Mary Avia) McNicholas, 84, died Aug. 3 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1956 and her perpetual profession in 1959. She taught for 10 years before transitioning into educational administration for the next 22 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Colleen taught at St. Luke, River Forest (1963-1966) and served the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation as director of sponsored ministry (1980-1985, 1989-1992). She served at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest, as education chair and faulty (1989-1995); dean of the School of Education (1995-2008); and director of the online graduate program (2008-2012). Sister Colleen served as volunteer research assistant at the Sister Mary Nona McGreal Center for Dominican Historical Studies, River Forest (2012-2016).

She also served in New Jersey, Iowa, Minnesota and New York.

She is survived by a sister, Sharon Peterson, and two brothers, John “Jack” McNicholas and James McNicholas.

Mercy Sister Nadine (Anna Mae) Hargadon died Aug. 4.

After graduating from Siena High School in Chicago, Sister Nadine entered the Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines 69 years ago.

Sister Nadine was a graduate of Saint Xavier College (now University) and the School of Applied Theology at the University of California.

Sister Nadine was a teacher, principal and administrator at several Chicago schools. Later, she became a pastoral associate at St. Charles Lwanga and St. Martin de Porres parishes.

She went on to become an administrator and coordinator at Mercy Manor Aurora.

Upon the celebration of her 60th jubilee, Sister Nadine said that she depended on her motto, “Hope is my strength,” to help her address others’ needs.

She is survived by her siblings Patricia, James and Joseph.

BVM Sister Richard Ann Quilter, 95, died July 20 in Dubuque, Iowa.

She was born in Chicago and attended Our Lady of the Angels School and The Immaculata High School before entering the congregation in 1945. She professed final vows in 1953.

Sister Richard Ann was a first-grade teacher at St. Vincent and Our Lady of the Angels. She also taught in Iowa, Wisconsin and California.

She is survived by her brother, James Quilter.

Franciscan Sister of Chicago Mary Petronia (Leocadia) Budzinski, 99, died July 22.

Sister Mary Petronia entered the congregation as an aspirant while a high school student in 1934. She professed first vows in 1939 and perpetual vows in 1944.

She taught at St. Florian (1954-1956); St. Pancratius (1968-1970); and St. Louise de Marillac, LaGrange Park (1970-1987); and in East St. Louis and in Indiana.

She served in local leadership in many of her assignments. In 1987, she moved to the Lemont motherhouse, where she was a local superior and marketing assistant for Franciscan Village.

She moved to the assisted living section of Our Lady of Victory Convent in 2012.

Precious Blood Father Alphonse Spilly, 80, died July 27 in Ohio, where he had been recovering from an illness.

Born in Hammond, Indiana, he entered the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in 1953 at Brunnerdale, the missionaries’ former high school seminary near Canton, Ohio, and was ordained in 1967. 

Throughout his more than 50 years as a priest, Father Spilly was involved in education ministry and communications for the wider church.

After his ordination, he was an instructor at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and in 1968, he began advanced studies at the University of Chicago and earned a doctorate in biblical studies in 1977.  

He also served in his congregation’s senate. He was named director of the theologate and of formation in 1972. A scholar of the Old Testament, he also taught at Catholic Theological Union and Mundelein Seminary.

In 1984, he was appointed a special assistant to Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. After the cardinal’s death in 1996, he served as special assistant to Cardinal Francis George for two years. He then served as director of the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry at CTU.

In 2000, Father Spilly’s two-volume compilation of Selected Works of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin was published by Liturgical Press. 

In 2002, Father Spilly joined the faculty of Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Indiana, as an associate professor of religious studies. He chaired the newly established social justice committee while assisting at four parishes in Whiting.

In 2013, Father Spilly moved to Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, where he became a special assistant to Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller.

Poor health forced his retirement to St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio, in 2017, but he continued to work remotely with Archbishop García-Siller, assisting him with communications.

Mercy Sister Amadea (Florence Rose) Collins, 90, died June 22.

Born in Wheaton and raised in DuPage County, she became acquainted with the Sisters of Mercy when she worked in the kitchen at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Aurora on weekends while attending high school at Madonna. She entered the congregation a few months after she turned 16.

She taught for 25 years starting in 1948, with assignments at many schools in Illinois and a few in Wisconsin.

In 1973, she began working as the religious education coordinator at Our Lady of the Ridge in Chicago Ridge. She held that position until 1985, when she began managing the bookstore at Saint Xavier University.

Later in life, she volunteered by providing transportation to the elderly.

Jesuit Father Frederick “Fred” J. Deters, 83, died July 5.

Born in Cincinnati, he was a Jesuit for more than 65 years.

Father Fred entered the Society of Jesus in 1954. He was ordained in 1967 and took final vows in 1976 at Loyola University Chicago. He earned a doctorate of sacred theology from Catholic University of America in 1973.

He taught at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati (1962-1964). After ordination, Father Fred taught theology at Loyola University Chicago (1973-1980) before directing retreats in Ohio.

Beginning in 1982, Father Fred transitioned into hospital chaplaincy where, for more than 30 years, he used his gifts of listening, empathy and caring for others. He was a chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center (1982-1994) and in Indiana.

Father Fred was missioned to Colombiere Center in Michigan in 2013 to perform service for the Jesuit community.

Felician Sister Mary Yvonne (Janet, Mary Barnabia) Karczewski, 91, died on July 7, in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Poland, she moved to Chicago before entering the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1946 and professing her final vows in 1954. She ministered as an elementary school teacher in various schools in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She also served as the art coordinator for the Felician archdiocesan schools.  

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1953-1955, 1958-1960), Our Lady of the Garden (1957-1958), Holy Innocents (1962-1965), St. Joseph (1969-1977, 1982-1985), St. Stanislaus, Posen (1977-1980), Sacred Heart 1981-1982) and St. James (1986-1987).

Sister Joan (Joseph Bernard) Zlogar, 90, died July 14 in St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana.

Born in Joliet, Sister Joan entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1958.

She ministered in education for 30 years as a business teacher and school administrator in Indiana, Illinois and Washington, D.C.

She also served as treasurer for her province and assistant to the treasurer for the Cenacle Sisters in Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Mark (1953); St. Columbkille High School (1953-1957, 1958-1966); Marywood High School, Evanston (1957-1958); Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (teacher, 1969-1973; principal, 1987-1991); Josephinum High School (1986-1987); Cenacle Midwest Provincialate (1992-1997).

After retirement, she volunteered with organizations including the alumnae organization of St. Columbkille High School.

Sister Genevieve (Mary Gertruda) Pinion, 87, died July 16 at St. Dominic Villa in Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Genevieve made her first religious profession in 1942 and her perpetual profession in 1945.

She taught music for 64 years, serving in Wisconsin, Illinois and Washington, D.C. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Genevieve taught at Visitation High School (1945-1947) and at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest (1951-1996), where she was chair of the music department.

She is survived by two sisters, Gertrude Greey and Charlotte Sacks.

Divine Word Father Robert Mallonee, 83, a dean of students at Catholic Theological Union, died June 11 in Techny.

Born in Ohio, Father Mallonee entered the Society of the Divine Word after receiving a bachelor’s degree in history at age 22.

While still a seminarian, he served as a lecturer of history at Divine Word College in Miramar, Massachusetts. While studying theology at Divine Word Seminary at Techny, he worked on a master’s degree in history from Loyola University in Chicago. Later, he earned a doctor of ministry degree in pastoral counseling while serving as associate professor of pastoral care at CTU in Chicago.

Father Mallonee professed vows in 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1967. For his first assignment, he held a dual role as director of the library and director of the pastoral program at Divine Word Seminary at Techny. During this time, he also completed another master’s degree, this one in library science from Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest.

In 1971, he became an associate professor of pastoral care and the following year was appointed dean of students at CTU. During his 16-year tenure at CTU, he was invited to serve a year as a visiting professor in pastoral care at Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

He returned to Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay in 1985 as director of the Arnoldus Library and lecturer in pastoral psychology and co-founded the Philippine Theological Library Association.

In 1990, he was assigned to Miramar Retreat Center, where he served as a spiritual director and counselor for more than 25 years.

Father Mallonee moved to Techny in 2017.

BVM Sister Carolyn Farrell, died June 14 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1953 and professed final vows in 1961.

Sister Carolyn was interim president of Mundelein College, associate vice president at Loyola University and founding director of the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership.

She also was an elementary teacher at St. Tarcissus and schools in Iowa.

During her tenure as director of continuing education at Clarke University, she served on the Dubuque City Council and as mayor. Sister Carolyn also served two terms as regional representative in the BVM Congregation and as founding director of the BVM Women’s Office.

She returned to Dubuque to become the director of the Roberta Kuhn Center and served as a member of the board of trustees at Clarke University. 

She is survived by siblings Dolores Zeller, James Farrell, Margaret Whitman and Thomas Farrell.

Divine Word Father Leo Dusheck, 86, died June 15 in Techny.

Born in Pennsylvania, he began his studies with the Society of the Divine Word in 1947, professed religious vows in 1953 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1961.

During his academic career, he taught mathematics and sciences at Divine Word seminaries in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.’

In 1979, Father Dusheck’s ministry shifted gears. He became a hospital chaplain in Pittsburgh and for six years prayed for and with those in need.

In 1985, he was chosen to lead the Techny community as rector. In an interview shortly after his election, he expressed his interest in finding innovative ways to care for the retired and infirm members of the Society of the Divine Word.

Upon completing two terms as rector, he returned to Pittsburgh, where he served another six years as a hospital and prison chaplain. In 1996, he once again made Techny his home and worked in the infirmary. He moved to New Jersey in 1999 to assist at a parish until his health necessitated moving back to Techny in 2019.

He is survived by his sister, Marie Dusheck.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marion (Francisca) Hangsterfer, 86, died June 18 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Marion made her first religious profession in 1958 and her perpetual profession in 1961.

She was a teacher and principal, literacy volunteer and development office worker, and she served in Wisconsin, Illinois, Oklahoma, California, Texas and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marion taught at St. Brendan (1969-1977).

Little Sister of the Poor Agathe Berchmans (Gertrude Jane Simms), 95, died May 6. She had served at St. Mary’s Home for the Elderly in Lincoln Park since 2002.

Sister Agathe was born in Denver and left home at age 16 to join the Little Sisters. She made her first profession in 1943.

Those who knew her remember her love and sincere care for others, as well as her devoted service in whatever task she was asked to fulfill.

She is survived by her brother, Steve.

Viatorian Father George J. Auger, 87, died June 2 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

Father Auger had degrees in English and religious education from Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University, a teaching certificate in French/English bilingual education from the Ecole Normale in Rigaud, Canada, and a diploma in the theology of religious life from the Lumen Vitae program in Brussels.

He taught at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1961-1963, 1965-1971) and was director of the retirement wing of the Viatorian province center in Arlington Heights (1996-2004). He also taught at other high schools, served in parishes in other Illinois communities and served as his congregation’s general councilor in Rome (1988-1994).

He returned to the province center from an assignment as pastor in Kankakee in 2007, and he served as chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Palatine (2013-2016).

He is survived by his brother, Paul.

Providence Sister Edna Scheller, 88, died June 8 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Sister Edna entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957.

She was an educator and health care administrator and director of transportation for her community. She ministered in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina and California.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis Borgia (1952-1955).

Sister Edna is survived by a brother, Thomas Scheller.

Divine Word Jerzy (George) Gawlik, 66, died May 29. He was pastor of St. Joseph the Worker, Wheeling.

Father Gawlik was born in Brzozowice-Katowice, Poland. He made his first vows in 1976 and his perpetual vows in 1980 in Poland. Gawlik was ordained to the priesthood in 1981, also in Poland.

While ministering in Poland, Gawlik served as formation director and prefect of Divine Word Seminary in Nysa, formation director of Divine Word Mission in Pieniezno, and rector and novice director at Divine Word Mission House in Chludowo. Gawlik was also a missionary in the Philippines.

Since arriving in the United States in 2004, Gawlik served as both associate pastor and pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish.

Divine Word Father Quang Duc Dinh, provincial superior of the Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province, recalls Father Gawlik as a “great missionary” and a kind and gentle pastor.

Father John E. Flavin, 83, died May 30. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview.

Born in Chicago, Father Flavin attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, completing his theological studies at the North American College and the Gregorian University in Rome before being ordained there in 1960.

He was assistant pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Catherine of Siena, Oak Park. He was pastor of St. Sebastian and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

He also served on the faculty of Quigley Preparatory Seminary North, on the staff of Liturgy Training Publications and Maryhaven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and as director of the Archdiocesan Office of Goal Setting. Father Flavin was president of the Presbyteral Senate and dean of Deaneries 3, 4 and 5 in Vicariate II, as well as the cardinal’s representative on the Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage, and had resided at St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center since 2009.

Father Flavin had a reputation of being highly intelligent, and he was active in parish ministries. At his first parish, St. Sebastian, Father Flavin supported the parish’s Dignity Mass, bilingual Masses and AIDS hospice. At Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Flavin led various ministries to support families most in need.

Deacon Joseph “J. Frank” Marquez, 93, died May 18. He was ordained in 1972 and served for more than 40 years at St. Pascal Parish.

Deacon Marquez was a member of the first class of permanent deacons ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago and a U.S. Army veteran. He was an accountant and worked for Loyola University and Loyola Medical Center. 

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children Bob, Sharon Bush, Marty, Juli, David and Amanda; and nine grandchildren.

Mercy Sister Ann Sullivan, 84, died April 20.

Born in Chicago, she attended Resurrection School and graduated from Siena High School in 1953. In 1955, Sister Ann entered the Sisters of Mercy.

From 1959-1969, Sister Ann taught at schools in Chicago, Milwaukee and Rockford.

After leaving teaching, she worked as an administrative assistant at Misericordia for two years

She then worked as an administrator in Mercy facilities in Aurora.

Benedictine Sister of Chicago Johnette Sawyer, 84, died May 2 at St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, where she had been hospitalized for three weeks after contracting COVID-19.

Sister Johnette was born in Pueblo, Colorado, and entered the monastery in 1955. She made her final vows in 1957.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of All Saints, St. Hilary and St. Symphorosa, where she was also a sacristan in the parish. She ministered in the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, from the 1960s to 2015.

She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Graybill, and her brother, John.

Benedictine Sister of Chicago Joan Gannon, 97, died May 6.

Born in Chicago, she and her family were active members of St. Jerome Parish. After attending St. Scholastica High School, she entered the community as a postulant in 1940 and professed triennial vows in 1942.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught first grade and was parish sacristan at St. Hilary (1942-1948); taught at Mother of God, Waukegan (1948-1951); taught kindergarten at Queen of All Saints (1951-1952); performed various services at the Benedictine Monastery after losing her voice (1952-1953); taught chemistry and math and performed other duties at St. Scholastica High School (1956-1967); ministered in the infirmary (1967-1970); and worked in the language lab and business office at St. Scholastica Academy (1970-1979).

For the next 10 years, she served at several Chicago parishes, including Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Thomas Aquinas. She worked with the St. Jerome “Tip Toppers” and did several jobs in the monastery until retiring in 2014.

Sister of the Living Word Norma (Jane P.) Thelen, 82, died May 9. She had been a member of the community for 45 years.

Born in Michigan, she taught in elementary schools in Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan for 25 years. She then ministered in the field of gerontology for 27 years. She retired in 2013.

She is survived by her brothers Clair and Thomas Thelen and her sisters Rose Mary Nurenberg, Virginia Drake and Linda Thelen.

Felician Sister Mary Dionette (Theophilla) Werner, 90, died May 15 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Poland, she moved to Chicago and attended Good Counsel High School. She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1949 and professed her final vows in 1957. 

She ministered as an elementary school teacher in various schools in Illinois and also served as a librarian at Providence High School in New Lenox. She ministered in the Congregation for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in Rome for 20 years, and served in the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Holy Innocents (1949-1955), St. John of God (1955-1957), St. Helen (1960-1965), St. Wenceslaus (1965-1971), and the Office of Metropolitan Tribunal (2000-2014).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Ora) Fox, 89, died May 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Mary made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She was a teacher, school administrator, catechist, director of religious education and community liaison in Illinois, Montana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida and Oklahoma.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught at Visitation (1962-1964) and St. Thomas More (1967-1971). She was principal of St. Basil (1978-1984).

She is survived by two brothers, Leonard Peacock and Jim Fox.

Deacon Marvin Kocar, 87, died May 4 after a long illness. He was ordained in 1986 and served at St. Pius X Parish, Stickney.

Born and raised in Chicago and a resident of Lyons, Deacon Kocar was a U.S. Navy veteran and he worked as an instructor at the Chicago Transit Authority. He enjoyed his retirement traveling, fishing and biking.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret; children Linda Kucera and Marianne Kubat; three grandchildren; and his sister, Beverly Tomzik.

Jesuit Father John T. Dillon, 90, died May 12 in Michigan.

Born in Ludlow, Kentucky, he was a Jesuit for more than 65 years. He entered the society in 1952, was ordained in 1963 and made final vows in 1967.

He earned master’s degrees in philosophy and guidance and counseling from Loyola University Chicago, where he ministered for more than 30 years.

In 1999, he became director of Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, where he served until 2006. He then was a spiritual director at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (2007-2010).

An injury he suffered as a young adult left him blind in one eye and visually impaired in the other. Because reading for long periods was difficult, he taught himself to retain information he heard listening to lectures and in meetings. His gift for listening made him an excellent spiritual director, according to many of his directees.

He is survived by his sister, Margaret Dillon, and his brother, Lawrence Dillon.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Stella Louise (M. Edelburg) Slomka, 99, died May 16 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1937 and professed her final vows in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and finance and a master’s degree in hospital administration from St. Louis University.

She served as the administrator and president of St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital (now Amita Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center) from 1959 until her retirement in 1999 at the age of 78.

Committed to responding to the needs of families deprived of healthcare, she directed the construction of the 16-story, 495-bed St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center, which was completed in 1975. She also led the renovation of the former St. Mary School of Nursing into Nazareth Family Center and the construction of the medical office building.

Sister Stella Louise served on numerous boards including the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary Advisory Board and the Retirement Research Foundation. She received many awards for her health care ministry, including the Loyola University Community Service Award, Joseph Cardinal Bernadin’s “As Those Who Serve” award and the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award from Pope John Paul II.

Father Anthony M. Talarico, 75, died April 30. He was the former pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in South Holland.

Born in Chicago, Father Talarico attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1970.

After ordination, Talarico was assistant pastor of St. Priscilla and Immaculate Conception, Highland Park. He also served as chaplain at Columbus Hospital.

He served as pastor of St. Aloysius, Holy Rosary and Holy Ghost. He also served as an administrator at Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. He retired from ministry in 2018, and he continued to reside at the Holy Ghost Parish rectory.

Roman Szabelski, former executive director of Catholic Cemeteries, remembers his friend “as a loving pastor who was always concerned for his parishioners.” Father Talarico cared for Szabelski’s brother, Father Joe Szabelski, who suffered from chronic health issues before he died three years ago.

“The same gentle kindness Father Tony showed his parishioners was the same gentle kindness that was applied to my brother,” said Szabelski, who recalled how Father Talarico cared for a three-legged Irish wolfhound named Finn. “Whenever the shelter had a dog, they would always call Father Tony to adopt it. I guess he was always willing to take care of the abandoned.”

Providence Sister Helen Therese (Eileen) Conway, 94, died April 16 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she attended Our Lady of the Angels School and Providence High School. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1948 and professed final vows in 1955.

Of her 72 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 37 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California. Retiring from teaching in 1987, she returned to the motherhouse, where she served as an administrative assistant in a variety of offices. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1960-1964) and Our Lady of Mercy (1964-1965).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Loretta (Mercedes) Finnerty, 89, died April 27 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Her religious name was Sister Mercedes.

Born in Chicago, Sister Loretta made her first religious profession in 1952 and her perpetual profession in 1955. She was an educator and pastoral minister in Wisconsin, Colorado, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Louisiana and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Loretta taught at St. Basil (1976-1977) and Visitation (1977-1981).

She is survived by a sister, Betty Finnerty.

Deacon Irvin J. Boppart Sr., 83, of North Chicago, died April 2. He was ordained in 1976 and served at Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan.

Born in Richmond, Illinois, he grew up in McHenry County and moved to North Chicago in 1962. He was a longtime parishioner of Mother of God Church in Waukegan before becoming a member of Queen of Peace Church/Most Blessed Trinity Parish.

He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and worked as a teacher and in building maintenance at First Midwest Bank and later at Gurnee Mills.

He is survived by his children: Irvin Jr., Tony, Cathy and Tim; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Loren and Gene, and three sisters, Marilyn, Phyllis and Betty. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca, in 1997.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Donna Marie Davis (formerly Our Lady of Charity Sister Anthony), 71, died March 10 at Holy Family Medical Center, Des Plaines. She was in her 54th year of religious life.

Born in Cincinnati, she entered the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity in Carrolton, Ohio, in 1966 and remained with this congregation for 30 years, serving at St. John’s Villa in Ohio. In the late 1990s, she began the transfer process to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In June 2000, she professed perpetual vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

As a certified nursing assistant, she served at Nazarethville in Des Plaines. Later, when she became a resident at Nazarethville, she continued to assist with sisters and those who were dying.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Rita Claire (Antonine) Dorner, 89, died April 6 at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1951 and her perpetual profession in 1954.

She taught music for 25 years and in the graduate program in pastoral ministry for 18 years, serving as director for seven of those years. Sister Rita Claire served as director of religious education, liturgist and/or music director at parishes and with her religious sisters for 16 years.

She served in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, the District of Columbia and California.

Divine Word Father Chester Smith, 60, died suddenly on April 8.

Father Smith, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, was one of the first pair of African-American twins to be ordained Catholic priests. He was an international leader in African-American ministry and youth outreach.

He was encouraged by his mother and by Father Edward Delaney at Our Lady of the Gardens Parish.

“Father Chester often spoke of the encouragement he received from Father Delaney to become a priest ‘because your people need you,’” said his identical twin brother, Divine Word Father Charles Smith. “Father Delaney’s comments were the foundation of his ministry, encouraging black men and women to be leaders in their communities, parishes and churches.”

Born five minutes after his brother in 1959, Chester was the second of four children in their family. The brothers attended Divine Word Seminary High School in East Troy, Wisconsin, and then Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa, where Chester earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

In 1982, the brothers professed religious vows in the Society of the Divine Word at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, site of the first Catholic seminary for African-American students. They were both ordained in 1988.

Father Chester Smith once said that he committed to the idea of becoming a priest when he was a seminarian, working in the Watts section of Los Angeles.

During his priesthood, Father Smith was an associate pastor at St. Anselm and St. Elizabeth parishes in Chicago, as well as St. Nicholas in St. Louis. He founded Ambassadors of the Word, a peer group ministry program that fosters youth rites of passage and cross-cultural experiences. He and his brother also developed Boyhood to Manhood, a parish-based program to help young black men realize their value, get in touch with their spirituality and train future church leaders.

As a founding member of the Bowman Francis Ministry Team, Father Smith designed and implemented retreats, leadership programs and revivals that celebrate African and African-American culture within the context of the Catholic Church. For two decades, he organized the National Black Catholic Men’s Conference, which annually draws multiple generations of African-American men for workshops and liturgies.

Father Smith also co-authored two books: “Boyhood to Manhood,” a rite of passage manual for African-American boys, and “My Family, Our Family,” a manual for family Kwanzaa celebration.

From 2006 to 2010, he served as president of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus.

In addition to degrees from Divine Word College and Catholic Theological Union, Father Smith pursued French studies at the University of Montreal in Montreal, Canada, and Rites of Passage Training at the Institute of Black Studies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Along with his twin brother, Father Smith is survived by a sister, Marcheta, and a brother, Kermit.

Deacon Edward Tomkowiak, 85, died March 8. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Patrick Parish, Wadsworth.

He was born in Wisconsin, where he met and married his wife, Theresa, who died in 2000. The couple was married for 45 years.

Deacon Tomkowiak lived most of his life in Wadsworth in a house he built. He worked for IBM for 30 years and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He was a Wadsworth village trustee for many years and the Wadsworth mayor for two terms. He enjoyed traveling, gardening and was a fervent Green Bay Packers fan, and he was a consummate do-it-yourselfer.

After being ordained in 1992, he performed many marriages and baptisms. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years, he led the St. Patrick youth group for many years and he was director of religious education. He was actively involved with missionary work, traveling to Piura, Peru, annually for 18 years.

Deacon Tomkowiak married his wife, Jane, in 2004. He is survived by Jane and his children Edward, Terry and John Tomkowiak; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Lorraine Michalski; and his brother, Thomas Tomkowiak.

Deacon Ralph Hinch, 94, died March 23. He was ordained in 1990 and served at the St. Francis Borgia Deaf Center.

Hinch became a deacon after retiring from a career as a research chemist.

“He was kind of an on-the-go guy,” said his son, Joseph Hinch. “After he retired, he said, ‘I’m going to go get a master’s degree in ministry.”

Deacon Hinch, who was deaf, earned a master’s degree in pastoral ministry with the deaf from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, and became the Deaf Center’s second permanent deacon, said Father Joseph Mulcrone, the center’s director emeritus.

Deacon Hinch enjoyed preaching, his son said, and took pride in his homilies.

“He would bring it down to the everyday person’s level,” Joseph Hinch. “He would tell you a story, and there was probably a joke in there. He wanted to get a message across and he wanted people to listen to it and be interested.”

Deacon Hinch is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia, who is also deaf, and their four sons, Joseph, Peter, John and Paul; and four grandchildren. A daughter, Mary, died in infancy.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Alma (Leokadia) Bak, 99, died Feb. 28 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines. She was in her 80th year of religious life.

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at Holy Innocents Church. She entered religious life in 1940 and professed her first vows in 1943. She earned a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University.

She taught in many parish schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, including St. Ann, St. Casimir, St. Hedwig, St. Andrew, St. Adalbert, St. Josaphat, St. Ladislaus and St. Hyacinth.

Providence Sister Mary Rita (Mary Paula) Griffin, 83, died March 6 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Washington, D.C., she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1954 and professed final vows in 1962.

She ministered in education, administration and service to the poor in Indiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; North Carolina; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and Taiwan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was principal of Our Lady of Sorrows School (1978-1984).

Franciscan Sister Patricia (Helen) Heuer, 103, died March 11 in the 86th year of her religious life.

She was born in South Dakota and entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1933 and made her final vows in 1939.

She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Loras College in Dubuque. Sister Patricia ministered as an educator in Iowa in Waterloo, Sioux City, and Dyersville; in Illinois at Midlothian, Melrose Park and North Riverside; and in California in Crescent City.

Adrian Dominican Sister Ruth (Joan Francis) Rabideau, 93, died March 12 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 75th year of her religious life.

She served in education and as a pastoral minister in Michigan, Illinois and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1948-1952); St. Edmund, Oak Park (1963-1965); and St. Rita Elementary School (1965-1967).

She is survived by a sister, Joan Mendicino.

Sister of Christian Charity Carolyn (Agnita) Eultgen, 94, died March 16 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in St. Louis, she entered the convent in 1939. She made first vows in 1944.

She taught at St. Raphael (1944-1957) and St. Gregory (1966-1972) and was principal at St. Theresa, Palatine (1984-1988) and St. Martha, Morton Grove (1988-1991).

She also ministered to the Lakota Sioux people on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.

In 2008, Sister Carolyn returned to Wilmette as local leader of Sacred Heart Convent. In 2010, due to health problems, she became a patient there.

Providence Sister Christine (Eleanor Mae) Patrick, 89, died March 20 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957.

She ministered as a teacher, principal and administrator in Illinois; Indiana; Oklahoma; Washington, D.C.; and Florida. A lover of animals, especially dogs, upon retirement she volunteered at the Southeastern Guide Dogs in East Palmetto, Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Mel-Holy Ghost (1952-1953) and Maternity BVM (1956-1958).

Sister Christine is survived by a sister, Zoe Booker.

Sister Marie David (Mary Catherine) Schroeder, 97, died March 30 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

She ministered in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California before returning to the motherhouse, where she served in the business office and gift shop.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at Maternity BVM (1943-1947); St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1951-1952); St. Mel (1954-1957); and St. Sylvester (1973).

Father Ronald H. Anglim, 81, died March 7. He was pastor emeritus of St. Peter, Antioch.

Born in Chicago, Father Anglim attended St. Ignatius High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1965.

He was assistant pastor of St. Giles, Oak Park, and St. Francis Borgia. He was associate pastor of St. Barbara, Brookfield, and Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge. He was pastor of Holy Family, North Chicago; St. Joseph, Libertyville; and St. Peter, Antioch, where he was named pastor emeritus in 2009. Father Anglim also served as chaplain of the Navy League of the United States.

Mercy Sister Sheila (Mary Carmeletta) Lyne, 83, died March 10.

Born on the South Side of Chicago, she attended Little Flower School and Mercy High School. After graduating from high school, she joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1953 and wanted to become a nurse.

She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at Saint Xavier University and ministered at hospitals in Aurora, Illinois, and in Iowa.

In 1971, she began a long career in administration at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, first as an administrator and then twice as CEO. During her time as CEO, she earned a master’s degree in business from the University of Chicago.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Sister Sheila as commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health, a position she held from 1990 to 2001. Sister Sheila was the first woman and the first non-physician to serve in that role. She gained national attention for creating comprehensive women’s health programs, including a plan for domestic violence and improving prenatal care.

Concerned about the number of individuals affected by AIDS, she increased funding from $4 million to $40 million and implemented many programs to help the people of Chicago.

Mercy Hospital was in a dire financial situation in 2000 when Sister Sheila decided to return to the hospital as CEO. “There were those who urged us to move so we’d get away from poor people. But we’re not running from the poor. What would Catherine McAuley think of us if we did?” Sister Sheila is reported to have said.

Instead, Sister Sheila recovered old insurance claims, reached out to former donors and added facilities. A state-of-the-art MRI Center, a Heart and Vascular Care Center and the Comprehensive Breast Care Center, named after Sister Sheila Lyne, are three of the programs she initiated.

Sister Sheila negotiated the movement of Mercy Hospital to Trinity Health System in 2012, months before her retirement.

Sister of Christian Charity M.  Consuela (Virginia) Chase, 99, died Feb. 23 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette. 

Born in Detroit, she entered the convent in 1934 and made her first vows in 1939.

She taught elementary school at St. Gregory (1942-1943, 1967-1970) and St. Raphael as well as in other states.

In 1974, Sister M. Consuela returned to Wilmette. In 1978, after teaching in the English as a Second Language program at Mallinckrodt College for three years, she became its director. In 1999, Sister Consuela moved to Josephinum Convent, where she taught in the SCC Literacy Program. Two years later, Sister Consuela began her ministry of office clerk at Josephinum Middle School. 

In 2013, Sister M. Consuela moved to Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette, where she used her writing skills to thank benefactors for donations.

Franciscan Sister of Chicago Mary Josetta Kuczmarski, 95, died Feb. 26.

She entered the order in 1944 from Greenfield, Massachusetts, and made her first vows in 1947 and her final vows in 1952.

She did her novitiate in Lemont (1945-1946), taught as a novice at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr (1946-1947), and then taught at Five Holy Martyrs (1947-1950) and St. Florian (1951-1954). She served at St. Pancratius (1988-1998) as a teacher, driver, extraordinary minister of Communion and lector. She also served in Indiana and Ohio before retiring to the Lemont motherhouse in 2015.

Benedictine Sister Amy (Romona Frances) Campbell, 99, died Feb. 27 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

Born in Denver, she attended St. Scholastica Academy in Cañon City, Colorado, and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in 1938 and made her final vows in 1943.

Sister Amy had a long career in education, mostly in the middle or primary grades, in both Colorado and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Amy taught at St. Hilary (1940-1941, 1954-1957); St. George (1941-1943); Mother of God, Waukegan (1943-1948); and St. John Nepomucene (1957-1963).

Franciscan Father Venard (Alphonse) Kommer, 99, of Clarendon Hills, died March 2 in Hinsdale.

Born in Germany, he entered the Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province in 1940 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1946 in Teutopolis, Illinois.

After other assignments in Illinois and Michigan, he served in Chicago at Corpus Christi Parish, Corpus Christi High School and Hales Franciscan High School. 

He later served in schools and hospitals in DuPage County.

Adrian Dominican Sister Anastasia (John Leo) McNichols, 91, died March 4 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she attended Trinity High School in River Forest and was in her 70th year of religious life.

Sister Anastasia ministered in education, congregation leadership and pastoral care in Michigan, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, California and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was chapter prioress for the Upper Midwest Mission Chapter, Hometown (1985-1991); administrator of the Regina Dominican Convent, Wilmette (1992-1993); campus minister at Marist High School (1993-1997); a grief minister at Parkside Chapel (1997-1999); a volunteer at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park (2001-2008); and a minister of care in Oak Lawn (2008-2016).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Ann (Michaud) O’Hara, 89, died Feb. 2 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Ann made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She taught for 38 years and served as a pastoral minister for 15 years. She served in Minnesota, Alabama, Wisconsin and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Ann served as pastoral minister at Resurrection Life Center (1997-2004).

BVM Sister Joan (Magdaletta) Stritesky, 91, died Feb. 18 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1946, from Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, Cicero. She professed first vows in 1949 and final vows in 1954.

She taught religious education at St. Celestine, Elmwood Park. She was a teacher and principal in Iowa, Tennessee, Colorado, California and in other towns in Illinois. She was an educational consultant for the Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee, the director of elementary schools for the Archdiocese of Denver, and a counselor for the Family Life Office of the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa. She served the congregation as coordinator of BVM Associate Program. She is survived by a sister, Shirley Boone.

Father William P. Welsh, 85, died Feb. 14. He was retired after serving most recently as associate pastor of St. Lambert Parish, Skokie.

Born in Chicago, Father Welsh attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1960.

After ordination, Welsh was assistant pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette; St. Sabina; St. Benedict (Irving Park Road) and St. Emily, Mount Prospect. He then served as associate pastor of St. Theresa, Palatine; Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor and St. Lambert. After he retired in 2004, he served as chaplain for the Carmelite Sisters in Des Plaines.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Barbara Ann Nowosielski, 81, died Dec. 18 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. John Cantius and Holy Family Academy. She entered religious life in 1956 and professed her final vows in 1965. She earned a bachelor’s degree from De Lourdes in Des Plaines and a master’s degree from the University of Dayton in Ohio.

She began serving in education ministry in 1960 at St. Andrew, Calumet City, then moved to Immaculate Heart of Mary. She spent 17 years serving as a teacher and principal in Texas schools. In 1982, she returned to Chicago and taught at St. Ann. In 1985, she began serving at St. Emily, Mount Prospect, where she would minister for 34 years.

Adorer of the Blood of Christ Sister Marian Russo, 76, died Feb. 1, in Ruma, Illinois.

Born in Philadelphia, she made her first profession of vows in 1968 and her final profession in 1973.

She taught at St. Jerome, and she taught elementary and high school in Pennsylvania. She also worked in the province offices there.

For several years, Sister Marian worked as an administrative assistant with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Marriage Tribunal Office.

She is survived by her mother, Marian Alice Russo Steele; and her brother, Arthur Russo.