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.

Adrian Dominican Sister Denise (Thomas Irene) Devitt, 82, died Feb. 6 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Loretto Academy. She was in the 63rd year of her religious life.

She ministered in elementary and secondary education, in congregation leadership and as a pastoral minister.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Laurence (1962-1967); Aquinas High School (1970-1971, 1972-1978); and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Westchester (1978-1980). She was academy adviser and campus minister at Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1980-1982); chapter prioress for the Upper Midwest Chapter of her congregation, Hometown (1982-1985); pastoral counselor at St. Victor Parish, Calumet City (1987-1994), and St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Orland Hills (1994-1995); director of pastoral care at Bethlehem Woods Retirement Center, La Grange Park (1999); hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood (2001); hospice chaplain at Hospice of North Shore, Evanston (2001-2002); assistant librarian at Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (2002-2008); and chaplain at Glenbrook Hospital, Glenview (2009-2012).

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Marie Shields, 81, died Dec. 31, 2019. She was in her 64th year of religious life.

A native of Chicago, Sister Marie attended St. Ferdinand Parish and Notre Dame High School for Girls, where she was educated by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She entered religious life in 1955 and taught for 14 years in parish schools in Ohio.

She then dedicated 51 years of service to the church in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to Cincinnati, Ohio, in the ministry of prayer in 2019.

Norbertine Father Brian John Prunty, 83, died Jan. 4.

Born in Wisconsin, he discerned his call to priesthood while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school. In 1956, he enrolled at St. Norbert College and entered the Norbertines a year later. He professed simple vows in 1959, solemn vows in 1962 and was ordained in 1965.

During the 1960s and 1970s, he taught at schools in Wisconsin, Michigan and Chicago, including St. Willibrord Catholic High School in Chicago. He served as pastor at St. Willibrord Parish and became president and chief administrator of the high school.

In 1983, Father Prunty worked as a physician assistant at the Cook County Jail hospital in Chicago and ministered at various Chicago parishes. His medical skills and passion for diversity led him to more than 20 years of work there. He also volunteered at a neighborhood free clinic.

He then joined the Norbertine mission on the Napo River in Peru. Three years later, Father Prunty returned to Chicago and resumed his ministry at the Cook County Jail hospital.

In 1995, he became associate director of formation and house superior at the Holy Spirit House of Studies in Chicago, while serving on the Abbot’s Council, the order’s personnel board and as a member of the St. Norbert College Board of Trustees.

He became pastor at St. Norbert College and house superior at St. Joseph Priory, De Pere, Wisconsin, in 2002. He continued to teach at the college until 2010. He retired to St. Norbert Abbey in 2014.

Father Prunty is survived by two sisters, Jane Schermitzler and Margaret Klegin.

Viatorian Father Simon P. Lefebvre, 92, died Jan. 13 at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights.

Born in Quebec, Canada, Father Lefebvre made his first vows in Montreal in 1946, his final profession in 1956 in Arlington Heights and was ordained the same year in Chicago.

As a Viatorian, he taught in Peoria, Illinois; Las Vegas; Quebec; and California. He also taught at the secondary school and university levels in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Father Lefebvre spent the rest of his ministry in parish work in California.

He moved to the Viatorian retirement residence in 2016.

Father Lefebvre is survived by his brothers, Jean and Louis, and his sisters, Jean Coolins and Lena Baker.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Jan Brynda, 84, died Jan. 23 at Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn.

Born in Chicago, Sister Jan made her first religious profession in 1955 and her perpetual profession in 1958. She taught for 17 years and was principal for seven years and educational supervisor, instructor and consultant for 25 years. Sister Jan ministered as a pastoral associate for 12 years and director of adult faith formation for three years. She served in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Jan served as education consultant for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls (1991-1993); pastoral associate at St. Jane de Chantal Parish (1993-2000); and director of adult faith formation at St. Benedict Parish, Blue Island (2000-2003). She ministered at Dominican University, River Forest, in the School of Education as an academic advisor and adjunct instructor (2003-2012) and supervisor of student teachers (2003-2008) as well as at the Sr. Mary Nona McGreal Center for Dominican Historical Studies as a volunteer (2012-2020).

She is survived by a sister, Dominican Sister Eileen Brynda.

Deacon Gilberto Cintron, 87, died Jan. 7. He was ordained in 1975 and served at St. Hedwig Parish.

Deacon Cintron was born in Puerto Rico. He was married to his wife, Maria, for 62 years. He had nine children and more than 30 grandchildren and was a father figure to many more.

Benedictine Sister Eleanore (Rita) Hillenbrand, 95, died Oct. 29 at St. Joseph Court-St. Scholastica Monastery.

Born in Chicago, Sister Eleanore attended St. Hilary School and St. Scholastica High School. She was accepted into the community as an aspirant in 1942 and she professed her final vows in 1947. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in English from DePaul University. She taught at St. Hilary, St. Symphorosa and St. Lambert, Skokie, as well as in Colorado. She served at St. Scholastica High School (1957-1992), including as chair of the English Department. In her community, she served as the director of studies and executive secretary to the prioress.

Benedictine Sister Ann (Charlotte) Sharp, 99, died Dec. 27 at St. Joseph Court-St. Scholastica Monastery

A native of Chicago, Sister Ann attended Sullivan High School for two years before transferring to St. Scholastica High School becoming a postulant of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago during the fall of 1937, her senior year. She professed final vows in 1949.

Sister Ann attended De Paul University for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. While completing her studies, she began teaching at Queen of All Saints in 1940 as a member of the original faculty. In 1945, she taught middle- to upper-grade students at Mother of God in Waukegan.

During her remaining 23 years in elementary education, Sister Ann taught at St. Symphorosa, St. Joseph and St. Lambert, Skokie, as well as in Colorado. In 1968, she joined the faculty at St. Scholastica Academy, and she served as dean from 1973 through 1978.

She was elected prioress of the community in 1978 and served until 1982. During her term, St. Joseph Court, a two-winged facility, was built at the north end of the 1906 monastery building, to be the health care facility for the sisters.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Lucille (Mauricio) Gardner, 84, died Dec. 30.

Born in Peoria, Illinois, Sister Lucy made her first religious profession in 1955 and her perpetual profession in 1958. She served in education and as a consolation minister in New Jersey, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and Texas.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Lucy taught at Visitation (1957-1960) and St. Barnabas (1967-1971) and was principal at the combined St. Patrick/St. Alphonsus School, Lemont (1979-1984).

She is survived by a sister, Mildred Banister.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Marie Shields, 81, died Dec. 31 in Cincinnati.

Born in Chicago, she was in her 64th year of religious life.

Sister Marie taught in mostly inner-city parish schools in Ohio for 14 years. She later served for 51 years in Columbus, Ohio, doing parish ministry.

Sister Marie loved her work, and the parishioners loved her. She sparked parish support for a local food pantry and homeless shelter, for farm projects in Ghana and Ecuador and for national social justice groups like Network, Pax Christi and Bread for the World. She started an initiative to collect new clothes for people who needed them and connected the parishioners to the work of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur around the world.

She retired in 2019.