BVM Sister Mary Ellen Caldwell, 97, died Aug. 22 in Dubuque, Iowa.

She was born in Milwaukee. She entered the BVM congregation in 1938 and professed final vows in 1946.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Ellen taught at St. Vincent School. She also ministered in Kansas, Iowa and Ghana.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Smith, and her brothers Jesuit Father Thomas Caldwell and Joseph Kerwin Caldwell.

BVM Sister Mary Terese (Lumina) Rink, 88, died Aug. 13 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1951 and professed final vows in 1959.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Terese taught secondary school at Immaculata High School, and Delano, Froebel and Dunbar high schools. At the University of Illinois Medical Center, she served in clerical work, as coordinator for the Disabled Children’s Program and as a case manager. She also served in Tennessee and Iowa.

She is survived by her sisters Margery Petrzelka, Helen Mangrum and Katie Cahalan.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Blanche (Stephanie) Zalewski, 92, died July 27 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at Holy Trinity Church. She entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1943 and became a novice that same year. Following her first profession of vows in 1945, Sister Blanche began teaching at St. Hedwig School. 

She professed her perpetual vows in 1951. For 43 years, Sister Blanche taught in the Chicago area; in Marayong, Australia; and later in Texas and North Dakota.

From 1988 until 2009, she ministered in pastoral care at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago.

Deacon Herbert F. Drazba, 83, of Dolton, died Aug. 27. He was ordained in 1975 and served at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in South Holland.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 706 and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Genoa Council.

He was married to his late wife, Dorothy, for 57 years.

He is survived by his children Michael, Thomas and Therese Drazba; his grandchildren Christopher, Scott, Dawn, Samantha and Rebecca Drazba and Walter Smith; one great-grandchild; his brother, Walter Drazba; and his sister, Dominican Sister Eunice Drazba.

BVM Sister Mary C. (Clemento) McGovern, 97, died Aug. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1937 and professed final vows in 1945.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught music at St. Gilbert, Grayslake; St. Eulalia, Maywood; and St. Jerome. She also ministered in Wyoming and Iowa.

Resurrection Sister Rita Mary Ganser, 75, died July 26 at Resurrection Life Center. 

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at Annunciation Parish. She was received into the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1955 and pronounced her final vows in 1964.

Sister Rita Mary taught for 26 years at St. Mary of the Angels, St. Casimir and St. Thecla. She also taught at St. Bede, Ingleside, as well as in Florida and Alabama.

Sister Rita Mary served as the director of religious education at St. Mary of the Angels Parish (1986-1991). In 1995, Sister Rita Mary started a career in pastoral care in health care, serving at Resurrection Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for 16 years. More recently, she volunteered there, coordinating and scheduling the ministers of care and other volunteers.

She is survived by a brother, William.

Deacon James Francis Gallagher, 93, died Aug. 6. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. James Parish, Highwood.

He was born in Highland Park, where he met and was married to his wife, Dorothy, for 69 years. 

He was a World War II veteran, having served as a sergeant in the Air Force 71st Bombardment Squadron – Wolf Pack.

He is survived by his children Jamie, Cindy and Michael Gallagher; his grandchildren Michael and Mark Gallagher and his great-grandchild Jules.

Father Daniel Sullivan, 91, died Aug. 16 at Holy Family Villa in Palos Park. He had been pastor at St. Gerard Majella Parish, Markham, until his retirement in 1996. 

A Chicago native, Father Sullivan attended Resurrection School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1953. 

He was assistant pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, Cicero (1953-1960); assistant pastor of St. Eulalia Parish, Maywood (1960-1965); assistant pastor of St. Sabina Parish (1965-1971); and assistant pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Chicago Heights (1971-1977).

In 1977, Father Sullivan was named pastor of St. Gerard Majella Parish, Markham, and served in that role until retiring in 1996.

Father John Edward Tilford, 76, died Aug. 14, at Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights. He had been associate pastor at St. Michael the Archangel Parish until he retired in 2014.

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

He later earned a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Thomas of Canterbury (1966-1971) and assistant pastor of St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park (1974-1978), before being named and pastor of St. Bridget (1981-1990). In 1990, Father Tilford was named pastor of St. Michael the Archangel and served in that role until stepping down to associate pastor in 2004 and retiring in 2014.

In addition to serving Catholics in parishes around the archdiocese, Father Tilford was the area chaplain for Catholic Scouts in 1968, an assistant administrator at Angel Guardian Orphanage (1971-1974) and an assistant executive director at Maryville Academy (1978-1981). Father Tilford was known for his work with underprivileged youth and young adults, especially within Hispanic communities.

Father Tilford is survived by his sister, Mary Boettcher.

Sister of St. Casimir Georgine Cizauskas, 90, died Aug. 1.

Born in New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sister Georgine entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1944. She made her first profession of vows in 1947, and made her final vows in 1952.

She taught in elementary and high schools in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Rhode Island. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as a teacher at Nativity BVM, Marquette Park (1952-1953); St. Bartholomew School, Waukegan (1960-1963), and Maria High School (1963-2005). After she retired, she took on volunteer roles in the school.

Most recently Sister Georgine participated in the ministry of prayer (2011-2017) at the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Casimir and then at Franciscan Village, Lemont.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Joanne (Mary Gregory) Seiser, 89, died July 28 in Cincinnati.

Born in Indiana, Sister Joanne entered the community in 1948 and made her final vows in 1953. She taught in elementary and secondary schools in Ohio and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Notre Dame High School (1967-1968), in campus ministry at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1968-1979) and as part of the Lay Ministry Training Program (1979-1985).

She is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen Pfeiffer.

Providence Sister Eileen (Mary Jane) Clare Goetzen, 94, died July 26 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence from St. Genevieve Parish in 1941 and professed final vows in 1949.

She was an elementary and high school teacher and on the clerical staff at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Columbkille (1955-1957); Providence High School (1966-1969); Our Lady of Sorrows (1969-1983); and Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1983-2005).

Conventual Franciscan Father John Peter Grigus, 65, died July 21 at the Felician Sisters convent in Chicago. He was rector of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Shrine at Marytown in Libertyville.

Born in Poland, he received his masters of Divinity at Catholic Theological Union. He professed his first vows in 1985, was ordained a priest in 1989 and made his solemn vows in 2000.

For the past 20 years, he led numerous religious retreats and authored many video presentations and broadcasts.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Lynn (Tomaso) Welsh, 81, died July 18 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Born in Chicago, Sister Lynn made her first religious profession in 1955 and her final profession in 1958. She was a teacher, principal, religious education coordinator and director, reading specialist, congregation leader and did parish and community volunteer. She served in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Wisconsin, Idaho, Michigan and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Lynn taught at St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest (1958-1961), and served as principal at Immaculate Conception (1973-1980); St. Luke, River Forest (1980-1983); and Most Holy Redeemer, Evergreen Park (1993-2001). She ministered in family care in Chicago (1985-1986) and served the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation as provincial councilor (1988-1992) and as a staff member of the development office (1992-1993).

She is survived by two sisters, Kathleen Terrien and Dominican Sister Janet Welsh, and a brother, Thomas J. Welsh III.

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Agnes Ann (Agnes Marie) Gardt, 89, died July 16 in Ohio.

She was born in Minneapolis and had been a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 68 years, entering the congregation after meeting members in Denver, where she worked after high school.

She taught for 20 years, including assignments at St. Sebastian (1954-1956) and Holy Ghost, South Holland (1966-1968).

She then offered pastoral care in hospitals, ministered in parishes and served as a missionary in the West Indies.

Providence Sister Mary Imelda (Mary Elizabeth) Coulup, 98, died July 12 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1939 and made final vows in 1947. She taught for 53 years in Indiana, Illinois and Maryland, then served as a driver and clerical assistant at the motherhouse.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mark (1941-1945), and St. Genevieve (1951, 1952-1953).

She is survived by a sister, Catherine Zeigler, and a brother, John Coulup.

Deacon Joseph Brady, 85, died July 24. He was ordained in 1977 and served at St. Christopher, Midlothian.

He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War, and he retired from Allstate Insurance after more than 40 years.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his children Beth Edwards, Margaret Sheetz and Joseph Brady; his grandchildren Jacob Little; Rebecca Mathews; Kristin Mitchell; and Anna, Clare and Grace Sheetz; and seven great-grandchildren.

Father Charles Kouba, 93, died July 13 at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Niles. He was pastor emeritus of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Lemont.

Born in Chicago, he attended Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Sacred Heart High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1951.

He was assistant pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven, Cicero (1951-1953); Our Lady of the Mount, Cicero (1953-1960); Our Lady of Good Counsel (1960-1962); St. Agnes of Bohemia (1962-1969); and St. Agnes, Chicago Heights (1969-1971). He was pastor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius (1971-1990) and then associate pastor of St. Joseph (1990-1993).

He was named pastor emeritus of Sts. Cyril and Methodius when he retired in 1993.

He had resided at Presence St. Benedict for 14 years.

Franciscan Sister of Chicago Leona (Mary Hedwinella) Watroba, 104, died July 6.
Born in Hammond, Indiana, and educated by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, she entered the order in 1934, made first vows in 1942 and final vows in 1944.
She served as a sacristan and seamstress in Chicago; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and Boys Town, Nebraska. She became an X-ray technician and served for 21 years in South Dakota.
In 1972, she returned to Chicago and served as a Medicare and Medicaid clerk, assistant administrator, receptionist and local minister at St. Joseph Home. In 1983, Sister Leona went to the motherhouse in Lemont, where she served as director of housekeeping for three years and local treasurer for 11 years. She retired to the infirmary in 1999.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marie Bertrand Wright, 94, died July 5 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.
Born in St. Louis, she made her first religious profession in 1947 and her final profession in 1950. She taught, was a principal and did pastoral ministry in South Dakota, Alabama, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Alaska.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marie Bertrand taught at St. Thomas the Apostle, Chicago, 1969-1974.
She is survived by a sister, Grace Mayer, and her twin brother, Joseph Wright.

Mercy Sister Lucia (Gloria Ann) Lietsch, 92, died June 29.
The oldest of 16 children in her family, Sister Lucia was raised in Iowa and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1943.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Xavier College and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. She taught second through eighth grades in 19 Catholic schools in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin over 30 years before pursuing a certificate to be a hospital chaplain.
She later returned to teaching in Naperville and Aurora, Illinois. After she retired, Sister Lucia served as a volunteer English as a second language tutor for primarily Mexican immigrants.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Marie Jarlath) Supple, 89, died June 22 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.
Born in Chicago, Sister Mary made her first religious profession in 1948 and her final profession in 1951. She served in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught at St. Luke, River Forest (1961-1962); Immaculate Conception (1962-1968); St. Cajetan (1968-1971); and St. Sabina (1980-2000), where she also served as tutor (1973-1975).
She is survived by a brother, Francis Supple.

Religious of the Sacred Heart Carol Haggarty, 75, died June 18 in California.
Born in Chicago, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1961 and took final vows in 1969.
She served in Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago, Louisiana, Nebraska and St. Louis as educator and board member. She also served in province administration in St. Louis and at the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
Sister Haggarty is survived by her sister, Joan Eggers.

Divine Word Brother Xavier (John Daniel) Eshman, 79, died on June 18.
Born in Ohio, Brother Xavier entered the community in 1959. While completing his postulancy and novitiate, he taught science and math at the Divine Word Brother Candidate School and worked in the dairy farm on the Techny property.
In 1962 at Techny, he professed vows and taught at Divine Word seminaries in New York and Pennsylvania.
He taught at St. Joseph University’s School of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Esperanza, Argentina, and at Divine Word Seminary in New Jersey. He also served in Itapúa, Paraguay, for 25 years.
Brother Xavier is survived by four sisters: Mary Ellen Francis, Jane Keever, Suzanne Frangesch and Cynthia Eshman.

Felician Sister Mary Mark (Dorothy) Derbas, 82, died June 18 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.
Born in Chicago, she attended St. Joseph Elementary School and St. Joseph High School. She entered the Felician Sisters in 1954 and professed final vows in 1962. She ministered in elementary schools as a teacher and principal in Illinois. She also served as an archivist for the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Sts. Peter and Paul (1957-1958); St. Bronislava (1958-1962, 1971-1979); Sacred Heart (1962-1965); Holy Innocents (1965-1967); St. John of God (1967-1968); St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates (1979-1980); St. Turibius (1980-1985, 2007-2008); St. Stanislaus, Posen (1985-1986); Good Shepherd (1986-1993); St. Patrick/St. Alphonsus, Lemont (1995-2000); St. George, Tinley Park (2000-2007); Queen of the Universe/St. Richard (2007-2009); and Our Lady of Victory Convent, Lemont (2007-2017).

Sister of St. Casimir Agnese Chapkauskas (Chapp), 83, died June 18.
Born in Cicero, she entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in Chicago in 1947. She made her first vows in 1953, and her final vows in 1958.
She ministered in elementary schools in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago she taught at Providence of God and St. Pius X, Stickney. She worked in the registrar’s office at Maria High School (1979-1993) and as a pastoral minister at Holy Cross Hospital (1995-2011).
Most recently Sister Agnese participated in the SSC ministry of prayer at the SSC Motherhouse (2011-2014) and at Franciscan Village in Lemont (2014-2017).

BVM Sister Harriet (Agneda) Holles, 84, died June 17 in Dubuque, Iowa.
Born in Wisconsin, she entered the BVM congregation in 1953 and professed final vows in 1961.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Harriet taught math at Mundelein College. She also taught at Clarke University and Loras College, both in Dubuque. She also ministered as a self-employed spiritual adviser.

Benedictine Sister Kathleen (Eleanor) McNamara, 92, died June 16 at St. Scholastica Monastery.
Born in Colorado, she entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in 1943 and professed vows in 1948. She taught at St. Hilary Parish for three years and St. Scholastica High School for two years prior to 1950 and from 1954-1958. The rest of her active ministerial life she served at St. Scholastica Academy, Cañon City, Colorado.
She also served her Benedictine community in many roles, continuing until a few weeks before her death.

Father Angelo Biancalana, 85, died June 11.

He had been living in LaGrange and was a priest for 59 years.

He is survived by his brother Sergio and his sister Rina Banducci.

Brother Patrick Hogan, 80, who created a specialized English-language program for Vietnamese refugees, died June 5 in Techny. 

Born in 1936 in Philadelphia, he professed first vows in 1957 and final vows in 1963.

He was assigned to Asia and worked in the Finance Office of Nanzan University in Japan, then worked to rebuild Fu Jen University in Taiwan, where he later served as treasurer. He also taught English to Chinese students before teaching linguistics and Asian studies at Divine Word College in Iowa.

In 1975 shortly after the fall of Saigon, he developed the school’s English-as-a-Second-Language program, focusing on methods for helping Vietnamese immigrants who knew little or no English to learn the language. His efforts led to an increase in vocations and eventually resulted in 75 ordinations and several brothers professing perpetual vows.

In 1983, Brother Pat returned to Fu Jen University. After retiring from Fu Jen University, he was director of Divine Word International Conference and Retreat Center at Techny. He transferred to Bordentown, New Jersey, in 2004, where he served as rector, and moved to Techny in 2015 in order to receive advanced medical care.

Servite Father Lawrence Choate, 70, died May 26 from an aggressive cancer. He was a Servite priest for 38 years.

Father Choate was administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

He served on the Servite provincial council and ministered in a number of other Chicago parishes, including St. Peter Canisius and St. Roman.

School Sister of Notre Dame Irene (John Mary) Bopp, 93, died May 14, at Resurrection Hospital.

Born in Chicago, Sister Irene was baptized at St. Alphonsus and attended elementary school there. She entered the SSND convent in Milwaukee as a candidate in 1933, professed first vows in 1943 and final vows in 1949.

Over the next many years, Sister Irene served as teacher and administrator at several Wisconsin and Illinois schools. She also served as principal at St. Alphonsus for seven years, serving on parish committees and as secretary of the archdiocesan principals’ association and a member of the principal interview team.

From 1979 to 1993, Sister Irene served as an education consultant in the archdiocese, working particularly with school boards, especially when schools were merging or being consolidated.

In 1993, at the invitation of the provincial, Sister Irene began the development office for the Chicago Province, a position she enjoyed and continued for 10 years. In 2003, she moved to Resurrection Life Center in Chicago, where her lifelong cheerfulness was appreciated by staff and patients.

Sister Irene is survived by her sister Margaret Davidson.

Deacon Miguel Garcia, 78, died July 4. He was ordained in 1995 and served at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish.

He is survived by his wife, Raquel, and his children Miguel, Gabriel, Araceli Huerta, Maria Isabel Avila, Noemi and Diana Perez; and 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Deacon Thaddeus “Ted” Lisowski, 89, died June 21 in Park Ridge.

He was ordained in 1974 and served at St. Francis of Assisi and St. Constance parishes. He taught at Weber High School for 43 years.

He is survived by his wife, Casey; and children Thaddeus Junior, Alicia, Stephen and Paul (Moira); grandchildren Eliot, Abigail, Jane, Alexander, Eleanor, Claire, Anne and Edward; and siblings Eugene, John, Edward and Berniece.

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia Ann (Michael Francis) Hurley, 84, died Jan. 2, 2015, in Adrian, Michigan.

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

Sister Patricia served in elementary education for 38 years in Ohio and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Edmund, Oak Park (1950-1952); St. Philip Neri (1955-1959); Hurley Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1959-1963); St. Mary Star of the Sea (1963-1966) and Our Lady of Knock, Calumet City (1966-1969). She also served as a bookkeeper and clerk at Mary’s Pence, Evergreen Park (1993-1998).
She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan in 2012.

Providence Sister Laura Ann (Elizabeth Ann) McLaughlin, 74, died Dec. 26, 2014, in New Jersey. Born in Massachusetts, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1961 and professed final vows in 1969. She was a teacher in Indiana, Illinois, New Hampshire, Washington D.C., and in Peru, and New Jersey and a counselor in New Jersey.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Maternity BVM (1976-1983).

Sister Laura Ann is survived by a brother, David McLaughlin.

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration M. Alfreda Bracht, 103, died Dec. 25, 2014, in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Sister Alfreda served for 24 years (1966-1990) as president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. The Loyola University graduate’s career in medical administration began in 1934 with a position as a medical records librarian.

Survivors include a sister, Ida Bracht.

Mercy Sister Rita Mooney, 89, died Dec. 23, 2014.

Born in Elgin, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1943 and made her final profession of vows in 1949.

She encountered the Sisters of Mercy as a child, when her mother was in a tuberculosis sanitarium across the street from Mercyville in Aurora, Illinois.

She taught for 22 years before getting a degree in nursing in 1970, serving for the rest of her career at Mercy Hospital.

Providence Sister Francine (Regina Catherine) McGriffin, 90, died Dec. 20, 2014, in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

An Indiana native, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1943 and professed final vows in 1950. he ministered in education and nursing in Indiana, Illinois and California. In the archdiocese, she taught at St. Sylvester (1945-1950) and St. Francis Borgia (1982-1993).

She is survived by one sister, Marjorie Bronsing, and a brother, Philip McGriffin.

BVM Sister Therese (Therese Carmelle) Jacobs, 87, died April 6 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 and professed final vows in 1955.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Therese taught music at St. Gertrude in Chicago and Carmel High School in Mundelein. She also ministered in Iowa, Hawaii, Minnesota, California and Mississippi, and in Ghana.

She is survived by a brother, Francis J. Jacobs.

Adrian Dominican Sister Helen (John Christine) Sorich, 95, died April 4 in Adrian, Michigan.

She was born in Yugoslavia and grew up in Michigan. She was in the 77th year of her religious life. Sister Helen served in Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1970-1973); Santa Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (1973-1977); and St. Clare of Montefalco (1977-1981); was on staff at St. Mary Star of the Sea (1981-1985); did clinical pastoral education at St. Joseph Hospital (1985-1986); and ministered at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Oak Lawn, visiting the sick and shut-ins (1986-1999). Sister Helen is

Mercy Sister Mary Annelle Fuczyla died April 1.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Mary Annelle entered the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Janesville after graduating from high school in 1945. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines in 1952.

She pursued more education in nursing and worked in emergency rooms, nursing service administration and in hospital-wide supervision where she often relieved staff during vacations and holidays. She ministered in Wisconsin and Iowa. For 11 years she was an instructor in Saint Xavier University’s School of Nursing.

Providence Sister Sheila (Rosemary) FitzSimons, 90, died April 1 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

She was born in Indiana and moved with her family to California. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1943 and professed final vows in 1950.

She ministered in Indiana, Illinois, New Hampshire and California schools.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Sylvester (1948-50) and St. Leo (1964-1967).

Providence Sister Jane (Anna Jane, Janet) Bodine, 97, died March 30 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1937 and professed final vows in 1945. She ministered in schools, adult education and development in Indiana and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Genevieve (1944-1945); St. Leo (1950-1953); Marywood High School, Evanston (1954-1955); and Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1964-1965, 1997). Sister Jane is survived by a sister, Ruth Lamb.

Sister Rita Black, 89, died March 30 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1945 and professed final vows in 1953.

She ministered in education and health care in Indiana, Illinois, California and Alabama. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Mercy (1948-1951).

Providence Sister Rita (Edward Clare) Lerner, 97, died March 25 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1938 and professed final vows in 1946.

She ministered in elementary schools and in health care in Indiana; California; Washington, D.C.; and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at Our Lady of Sorrows (1945-1946, 1952-1958); St. Mel-Holy Ghost (1958-1965); St. Leo (1965-1969) and St. Agnes (1969-1977).

School Sister of St. Francis Sylvia (Reginata) Smith, 90, died March 20 in Milwaukee.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sister Sylvia was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1944 and made final vows in 1952.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Benedict (Irving Park) (1948-1951); St. Martin (1958-1961); and St. Joseph, Wilmette (1961-1969). She also served St. Joseph Parish as religious education coordinator (1969-1983), pastoral minister (1983-1993) and sacristan (1993-2006). Sister Sylvia is survived by a sister, Jeannette Hunter.

Franciscan Sister of Chicago M. Marinella (Josephine) Gubala, 101, died March 20.

Born in Ohio, she was taught in elementary school by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago and joined the community in 1929, three months shy of her 14th birthday. She entered the novitiate the following year and professed perpetual vows in 1937.

Sister M. Marinella taught for more than 52 years, starting in 1932 at age 17. She taught at St. Florian School and St. Pancratius School, before starting at Madonna High School in 1953. She taught algebra, business math, religion and U.S. history for the first three years, and then taught English exclusively from 1956 until she retired from teaching in 1985.

At the age of 70, Sister M. Marinella went to Wisconsin for clinical pastoral education, then served in pastoral care at Mount Alverna Home in Parma, Ohio, for 17 years.

In 2002, after 70 years of service, Sister M. Marinella retired to Our Lady of Victory Convent, Lemont.

BVM Sister Elaine (St. Lillian) Wojcik, 89, died March 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation from St. Mark Parish and professed first vows in 1953 and final vows on July 16, 1958.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Elaine taught elementary and middle school at Annunciation; Our Lady of Angels; St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest; and Mater Christi, North Riverside. She also was a substitute teacher and nursing home/hospice volunteer in Melrose Park, and taught and was a principal in Kansas City, Missouri.

Deacon Dushan J. "Duke" Vemich, 96, died April 13. He was ordained in 1976 and served at All Saints-St. Anthony Parish until he retired.

He is survived by his daughter, Judith; his sisters, Helen Ball, Margaret Ceane and Sophia Martinez; and two grandchildren.