Mercy Sister Mary Susan Thomas, 95, died Dec. 14.

Born in Oak Park, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1944 determined to be a nurse. 

After receiving her nursing degree, Sister Susan first worked in direct patient care on the surgical floor, then went on to teach and supervise, eventually becoming an administrator. 

For nearly 30 years, she ministered at Mercy Hospitals in Chicago and Aurora, Illinois; in Iowa; and in Wisconsin.

In 1971, she began serving as a USA surveyor for the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospitals, located in Chicago. In this position, she was part a team of experts who accredit and certify more than 21,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. 

In 1975, she transferred to the Illinois State Department of Public Health, where she worked in staff development. She retired from that position in 1989, and started a 17-year career as a volunteer communication consultant for the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois. She moved to Mercy Circle in Chicago in 2014. 

Mercy Sister Patricia Illing, 90, died Dec. 18.

Born in Milwaukee, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1945.

During her 72 years as a Sister of Mercy, Sister Pat was an educator in Illinois and Wisconsin, at many grade schools as well as at McAuley High School, Mercy/Unity High School and several community colleges in Chicago. She also founded and served as director of a day care center and was a co-director of the McAuley Little School until becoming archivist for the Sisters of Mercy Chicago Regional Community, which she did until her retirement in 2000.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Stephana Garvey, 91, died Dec. 28 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Stephana made her first religious profession in 1947, and her final profession in 1950. She taught, was a religious education coordinator and volunteered with young children in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Florida. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Stephana taught at St. Barnabas (1957-1966); St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield (1970-1975); and St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest (1977-1982). She served as religious education coordinator at Sts. Faith, Hope, and Charity Parish, Winnetka (1986-1993), and as a volunteer at the Rose K. Goedert Center for Early Childhood Education at Dominican University, River Forest (2001-2006). 

She is survived by a sister, Margaret Nedzi, and a brother, Kay Garvey.

School Sister of Notre Dame Jutta Maria (Julie, Joachim Marie) Wiegard, 92, died Dec. 28 at Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Germany, she moved to Chicago with her family as an infant. She attended St. Alphonsus School before becoming an aspirant at the Academy of Our Lady (Longwood Ave.), and then became a candidate in Milwaukee on her 16th birthday.

Sister Julie professed vows in 1944.

She taught and was a principal in Wisconsin and Illinois, including assignments at St. Margaret of Scotland and St. James, Highwood. 

Sister Julie was postulant director for the Chicago province and served in pastoral care at St. Joseph the Worker, Wheeling (1981-1985).

She later served as local leader for retired Sisters at St. Benedict Convent and the Academy of Our Lady (1990 to 2001) and nursing home advocate and in community service provider at Resurrection Life Center and Marian Village, Homer Glen.

Capuchin Friar Brian Braun, 83, died on Dec. 29.

Born in Wisconsin, Father Brian was invested in the Capuchin habit in 1953, perpetually professed in 1957 and ordained a priest in 1960. He served in parochial ministry and seminary positions in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.

In 1983, he was assigned as pastor at St. Justin Martyr Parish, and in 1989 he served as pastor of Our Lady Gate of Heaven. In 1995, Brian was appointed co-director of the Cap Corps Volunteer Program, and served in that capacity until 2004. 

Father Brian is survived by his sister, Kathryn.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Adelaide (Marie Henry) Eiden, 99, died Dec. 29 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 81st year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Adelaide ministered in education in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. She was also a co-provincial of her congregation, hospital chaplain and volunteer pastoral minister.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1937-1940, 1946-1948), St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1940-1943), St. Philip Neri (1943-1946) and St. Joseph, Homewood (1948-1951).    

BVM Sister Mary Paul Francis Bailey, 91, died Jan. 1 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Springfield, Illinois, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 from St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Chicago. She professed final vows in 1955.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Paul Francis taught at Holy Cross and St. Tarcissus, served as treasurer at Immaculata High School and was assistant professor of economics at Mundelein College and Loyola University, where she was also adjunct professor.

Sister of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate M. Nicholas (Pauline) Tosseng, 89, died Jan. 24, 2017.

Sister Nicholas grew up on Chicago’s East Side and was educated at St. Francis de Sales grade school and high school before entering the Joliet Franciscans in 1947. She professed vows in 1950.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis de Sales (1953-1967), Assumption (1968-1984), and St. Ludmilla (1984-1987). She was a receptionist, secretary and clerk at St. Tarcissus (1989-2009) and served there as a volunteer from 2009-2016.

She was also known for her skill as a cook and baker and a seamstress, and a driver for the sisters.

Father Theodore C. Stone, 91, died Jan. 4 at Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge. He was most recently  associate pastor of Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish, Park Ridge. He retired in 2002, but continued to serve the parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Stone attended Western Springs Public Schools, Our Lady of Bethlehem Academy in La Grange, Faulkner Public School in Chicago and St. Ferdinand School. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained to the priesthood in 1952.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Tarcissus (1952-1957) and St. Cornelius Parish (1966-1969). During his first years as a priest, he became aware that children in non-Catholic elementary schools had little Catholic education and served as associate director and director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine from 1957 through 1969. 

In 1969, Father Stone requested a leave to pursue his vocation to the sacrament of marriage. He and his wife had two children, Bethanne and Timothy Stone. After his wife died in 1981, Father Stone petitioned to return to the active priesthood, and was accepted under Cardinal Bernardin. 

He served as associate pastor at Our Lady Mother of the Church (1991-1992) and at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish (1992-2002).

He is survived by his daughter, Bethanne Stone, his son, Timothy Stone, and his sisters, Mary Lippa and Dorothy Moore.

Marianist Brother Anthony Pistone, 82, died Dec. 6 in California.

Born in Chicago, Brother Tony attended St. Michael Central High School. He entered the Society of Mary in 1952 and professed perpetual vows in 1959. 

He taught at Marianist high schools in St. Louis, Milwaukee and Belleville, Illinois.

He was assistant provincial for the Marianist Province of St. Louis (1987-1992).

Later he served the poor in Bangalore, India, and was regional superior for the Marianists in that country. 

Providence Sister Margaret Ann (Gerard) Wilson, 89, died Dec. 7 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Oklahoma, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1946 and professed final vows in 1953.

She ministered in Indiana, Illinois and Oklahoma.  

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at Our Lady of Sorrows (1948-1953), Immaculate Conception (1962-1971) and St. Angela (1973-1997).

Providence Sister Adelaide Ortegel, 89, died Dec. 13 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence from St. Francis Xavier Parish, Wilmette, in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954. 

She ministered in Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Massachusetts and in the West Indies.  

A gifted artist, Sister Adelaide was also a puppeteer, a mime and a clown, and she wrote several books on the integration of the arts with worship.  

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Agnes (1950-1953); St. Mark (1957-1958); Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1963-1970, 1979-1988, 1989-1997, 2000-2007); and the Center for Contemporary Celebration, Hyde Park (1970-1974, 1978-1979). 

In 2011, she retired to the motherhouse. She continued to paint and occasionally put on a puppet show. Beginning in 2015, she dedicated herself to the ministry of prayer.

She is survived by a sister, Carol Ulbert.

BVM Sister Dolores (Wilmetta) O’Dwyer, 94, died Dec. 16 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in San Francisco, she entered the BVM congregation in 1941 and professed final vows in 1949.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Dolores taught at St. Odilo, Berwyn. She also taught in Washington, Oregon and California.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Brideen Fohey, 88, died Dec. 18 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Milwaukee, Sister Brideen made her first religious profession in 1951 and her final profession in 1956. 

She ministered in music as a teacher, organist, piano teacher and accompanist, and as a hospital chaplain, pastoral associate and liturgist. She served in Illinois, Wyoming, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico and Canada. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Brideen taught at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1951-1953), and St. Cajetan (1964-1965), and taught private piano lessons in the Zion area (1993-1994). 

She is survived by a sister, Edith Payleitner.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Clemente Davlin, 88, died Dec. 19 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Mary Clemente made her first religious profession in 1956 and her final profession in 1959. She taught English for 50 years and was a prolific writer. 

Sister Mary Clemente is the author of “A Game of Heuene: Word Play and the Meaning of Piers Plowman B,” “The Place of God in Piers Plowman and Medieval Art,” and “A Journey into Love: Meditating with Piers Plowman.” 

She served in Wisconsin and Illinois. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Clemente ministered at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest, as professor of English (1970-2010), and director of the Rosary-in-London program, London (1981, 1982 and 1991-1992). She taught at Aquinas Dominican High School (1952-1953) and Du Sable High School (1953-1954), and served as tutor at Malcolm X College (2010-2016). Sister Mary Clemente played violin with the Oak Park Symphony for more than 40 years.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister John Eudes (Mary) Courtney, 95, died Dec. 22 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. 

Born in Chicago, Sister John Eudes made her first religious profession in 1949 and her final profession in 1952. She taught high school English for 30 years, and she served as a pastoral minister, community organizer and librarian, along with four years in transportation. She served in Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.

Sister John Eudes was inspiration for the character of Mary Clancy in the book “Life with Mother Superior” by Jane Trahey and the 1966 movie “The Trouble with Angels” starring Hayley Mills as Mary Clancy. Trahey and Sister John Eudes, then known as Mary, were high school friends at Providence High School, Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister John Eudes taught at Visitation (1961-1963) and ministered as a neighborhood organizer and prison visitor while living at Annunciation Convent (1971-1972). 

Father George J. Dyer, 90, died Dec. 3 at Condell Hospital, Libertyville. 

He was pastor emeritus of St. Patrick Parish, Wadsworth. He also served on the faculty of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and was an editor and author for the theological journal, “Chicago Studies.” 

Born in Chicago, Father Dyer attended Our Lady of Sorrows School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1953. He later earned a doctorate in sacred theology.

He spent the first half of his priesthood at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary as a librarian, lecturer in patristics and later as dean and professor of theology. While a doctoral student and professor, Father Dyer celebrated Mass at St. Gilbert Parish, Grayslake (1953-1955); Santa Maria del Popolo Parish, Mundelein (1955-1963); and Transfiguration Parish, Wauconda (1964-1966). 

In 1966, Father Dyer was named assistant pastor at St. Martin. A year later, he was appointed dean of studies at Mundelein’s School of Theology, a position he held until 1978 when he was named pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Wadsworth (1978-1995).

During his first years serving the people of Wadsworth, Father Dyer saw a need for a larger church given the explosion of new housing in the area in the 1980s. The forecast proved to be true, as St. Patrick grew from 350 families to 2,400 families over a decade.

Father Dyer served for 16 years after his retirement as a weekend presider at St. Julian Eymard Parish, Elk Grove Village, and continued to minister to the retirement community of Sedgebrook in Lincolnshire until his health declined.

Father Dyer’s contribution to theological reflection was recognized by the Catholic Theological Society of America in 1982 when the society awarded him its highest honor, the John Courtney Murray Award.

Father Fred W. Tomzik, 59, died Dec. 12. Before retiring for health reasons, Father Tomzik was most recently pastor of St. Monica Church in Chicago. 

Born in Chicago, he attended Divine Savior School in Norridge, St. Patrick High School, Triton College in River Grove, Niles College, Loyola University-Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained in 1984.

Father Tomzik served as associate pastor at the Nativity of Our Lord (1984-1989), Divine Infant Jesus in Westchester (1989-1996) and St. Eugene (1996-1997). Later, he served as pastor at St. Louise de Marillac in La Grange Park (1997-2010) and St. Monica (2010-2015).

Father Tomzik was also chaplain of the Norwood Park Fire Department and an active member in both the Catholic Committee on Scouting and the Girl Scout Medals Committee.

He is survived by his mother, Beverly, and siblings, John Tomzik, Philip Tomzik, Steven Tomzik, David Tomzik and Janice Vercillo. 

Mercy Sister Dorothy Pelt, 97, died Nov. 27.

Born in Milwaukee, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1942. She began her ministry as a teacher, working in Chicago, Des Plaines and Milwaukee for 30 years. After serving as a principal at St. Patrick in Des Plaines, she had her first experience as a missionary in Peru. 

She returned after a year when the school she taught at in Peru was closed and went back to teaching at Siena and Mother McAuley high schools in Chicago. During the summers, she volunteered in Honduras. In 1976, she was asked to serve full-time in Honduras, where she stayed for 38 years. 

She visited the 54 villages she served no matter the weather, the distance or the terrain, at times living out of her car as she traveled. Because a priest made it to each community only every couple of months, she coordinated teams of lay ministers who could celebrate the Liturgy of the Word on Sundays and other religious holidays, and she trained catechists to teach the children. 

She returned to Mercy Circle in Chicago at the age of 94.

Deacon Donald J. Telposky, 86, died Nov. 19 in Des Plaines. He was ordained in 1975 and served at St. Stephen Protomartyr, Des Plaines.

Deacon Teposky, a Navy veteran, is survived by his children Katherine Schmeltz and Michael Telposky and two grandchildren.

BVM Sister Helen (Paulita) Kerrigan, 96, died Nov. 16 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1940 and professed final vows in 1948.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Helen taught second grade at St. Jerome (1944-1945), and was an art teacher on the faculty at Mundelein College (1949-1953). She also taught at the elementary, high school and college levels in New York, Iowa, California and Missouri

Felician Sister Mary Clarine (Louise) Turczyn, 94, died Nov. 21 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Peru, Illinois, she entered the Felician Sisters in Chicago in 1943 and professed her final vows in 1951. She ministered in elementary schools as a kindergarten and primary teacher in Illinois and Wisconsin. Later, she served in various capacities at Our Lady of Creek Bend Convent in St. Charles, Illinois, and also in the Felician Sisters Provincial House.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Mary Magdalen (1943-1944); Ascension, Evanston (1945-1946); Holy Innocents (1946-1958); and SS. Peter and Paul (1960-1961).

BVM Sister Marion (Jean Victor) Pasidora, 89, died Nov. 24 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 from St. Andrew Parish and professed final vows in 1955.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marion taught St. Pius commercial classes held at St. Mary High School (1960); served on the office staff as bursar/treasurer and business manager at Carmel High School, Mundelein (1972-1988); was secretary at the University of St. Mary on the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (1988-2002); and later volunteered as assistant sacristan at St. Mary of Vernon, Indian Creek (2007-14). She also taught in Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

BVM Sister Anne Marie (Cyrilita) Dolan, 97, died Nov. 26 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1939 from Blessed Sacrament Parish, and she professed final vows in 1947.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Anne Marie taught at St. Dorothy (1942-1948), and taught Spanish and was a guidance counselor at Cathedral High School (1969-1974). She also ministered in Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and California.

She is survived by a sister, Frances Andreoni.

Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Phyllis (Agnes) Schouten, 90, died Nov. 26 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she entered the convent in 1945 and professed her vows in 1947. She taught music at Catholic schools in Wisconsin and Michigan, then served as coordinator of a health care center and house of prayer in Manitowoc. She also ministered in Nebraska.

She is survived by her brothers Joseph, Philip and Father Francis Schouten; and a sister, Carmelite Sister Joseph Marie of Jesus.

BVM Sister Mary K. (Jean Catherine) O’Brien, 84, died Nov. 27 in Dubuque, Iowa.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary K. taught at St. Ferdinand, where she was also principal; St. Dorothy; and St. Gilbert, Grayslake. She was principal at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette and served as a resource person at St. Margaret Mary. She also taught in Iowa and New York.

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1951 from Our Lady of Angels Parish, and she professed final vows in 1959.

She is survived by a brother, John O’Brien, and a sister, Margaret Connolly.

Father L. Jerome Parrish, 62, died at his sister’s home on Nov. 8. Father Parrish, who was associate pastor of St. Denis Parish, had been on long-term medical leave since 2005 and he spent the last year of life with his sister, Addrene, on the South Side of Chicago.

Born in Chicago, he attended Holy Angels School, St. Ignatius College Prep, Yale University and Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee. In 2002, Father Parrish earned a master of divinity degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, and he was ordained in 2004.

Father Parrish overcame many medical obstacles on his path to ordination. Originally on track to be ordained in 2002, complications from a surgery to repair a torn muscle led to cardiac arrest, a stroke and kidney failure, leaving Father Parrish on dialysis and with neurological damage. 

After several months of treatment and recuperation, Father Parrish returned to Mundelein that fall. In April and May 2003, he had two more surgeries to repair and replace two heart valves damaged by an infection. However, with time his kidneys improved enough to allow him to stop dialysis.

Due to his precarious health, Father Parrish only served as associate pastor at St. Denis from July 1, 2004, through March 23, 2005.

Father Parrish is survived by his sister, Addrene Parrish, and brother, Maurice Parrish.

Deacon William Lehman, age 87; died Nov. 3. He was ordained in 1988 and served at Divine Savior Parish, Norridge, and St. Francis Borgia Parish. 

Deacon Lehman was a retired U.S. Army Colonel and taught for 40 years in School District 80 in Norridge. 

He is survived by his wife, Darlene, children Bill, Mike and Bob; and seven grandchildren.

Deacon Donald Palmer, 68, died Nov. 8. He was ordained in 1999 and had served at St. Joseph Parish, North Orleans Street.

Deacon Palmer, who was retired because of ill health, was living in Wisconsin at the time of his death.

Felician Sister Mary Avitta (Irene) Nowak, 88, died Nov. 1, in Our Lady of the Angels Care Convent.

Born in Blue Island, she attended St. Isidore School, Blue Island High School and St. Louis Academy. She entered the Felician Sisters in 1950 and professed her final vows in 1958. She ministered in various elementary schools throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Mary Magdalene (1950-1951); St. Helen (1951-1957); Holy Innocents (1957-1961); Ascension, Evanston (1961-1963); St. Bronislava (1975-1980); St. Stanislaus, Posen (1980-1988); and St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1988-2005).