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Sr. Alfonso Glancey
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).
She is survived by a sister, Veronica Garvey. -
Sr. Therese DeCanio
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.
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Fr. Stanley Uroda
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.
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Fr. Richard Todd
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.
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Sr. Jane Farrell
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.
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Sr. Florence Norton
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).
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Sr. Mary Kay Moran
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.
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Fr. Robert McGinnity
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.
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Fr. Harold Bonin
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.
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Fr. Raymond Jasinski
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.
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Msgr. Richard Saudis
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.
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Sr. Gwen Koza
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.
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Sr. Genevieve Moran
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.
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Sr. Damienne Grismer
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.
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Mary Claire Gart Restivo
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.
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Sr. Mary Francis Basile
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.
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Sr. Elizabeth McWilliams
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.
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Fr. Arnold Steffen
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.
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Sr. Sharon Beckmann
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.
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Deacon Earl Dahl
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.
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Deacon Vito DiCanio
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.
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Sr. Patricia McCarty
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.
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Sr. Milda Blinstrubas
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.
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Sr. Virgena Clark
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.
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Sr. Noreen Burke
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).
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Sr. Jenny VandenBergh
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.
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Sr. Margaret Ann Curtin
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.
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Sr. Joanna Brigan
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.
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Sr. Mary Bann
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.
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Deacon Anthony Towey
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.
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Sr. Suzanne Smith
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).
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Sr. Ruth Ellen Doane
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.
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Sr. Marie Therese Emery
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.
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Sr. Mariella Hathorn
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.
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Fr. Paul Gootee
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.
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Sr. Patricia O’Reilly
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.
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Fr. Xavier Cooney
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.
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Sr. Leontia 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.
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Fr. Phillip Kiley
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.”
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Deacon Juan Ponce de Leon
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.
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Sr. Mary Willard Reagan
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.
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Sr. Maria Schultz
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.
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Sr. Mary Elizabeth Scheibel
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).
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Sr. Esther Ortega
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.
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Sr. Dorothea Gramlich
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.
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Sr. Ann Rena Shinkey
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).
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Sr. Kathleen Sutherland
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.
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Sr. Margaret Ann Swallow
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).
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Sr. Jacquelyn Hoffman
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.
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Sr. Helen Laier
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.
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