Viatorian Father James F. Crilly, 89, died Nov. 2 at Addolorata Villa in Wheeling.

He was one of three missionaries who established a Viatorian school and parish in Bogotá, Colombia, in the early 1960s.

Father Crilly was born in Chicago and graduated from St. Philip High School before making first vows in 1950. He was ordained in 1956.

He taught at Illinois high schools for five years before going to Bogotá in the summer of 1961. He was one of the three founding Viatorian Fathers of the Foundation of Colombia and the all-boys school, Colegio San Viator.

In 1973, he returned to the United States to become formation director and coordinator of vocations and taught for one year at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. In 1977, he was named pastor of St. Viator Parish before being appointed assistant provincial for the Province of Chicago in 1979, serving the province in that position until 1983.

Felician Sister Mary Agna (Lucille) Gorlewski, 102, died on Nov. 2, in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Joseph School and Good Counsel High School. She entered the Felician Sisters in 1934 and professed her final vows in 1942. She ministered as a teacher and principal in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She also served as organist in a number of parishes.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Stanislaus, Posen (1948-1950); Our Lady of the Gardens (1957-1959); Good Counsel High School (1965-1966); and Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1973-1974).

Deacon Kenneth A. Bell, 93, died Oct. 27. He was ordained in 1978 and served at St. Domitilla Parish.

He is survived by his children, Christine Bell, Monica Gieser, Stephen Bell, Marty Bell, Phil Bell, Greg Bell, Therese Stellato, John Bell and Paul Bell; 21 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Deacon Bell and his late wife, Jeanne, lived for 20 years in Hillside and 41 years in Berkeley. He was an auditor and an accountant for several insurance companies and, in his 70s, became a business manager for Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Cicero and St. Clare of Montefalco Parish.

At St. Domitilla, he served on the parish council, numerous committees, worked with the lectors, participated in the Christian Family Movement, and taught baptism classes with his wife Jeanne before becoming a deacon. After ordination, he led the Sorrowful Mother novenas, baptized babies and married couples, led a Bible study for more than 20 years and was a part of the Men’s Christ Renews His Parish team and then the men’s prayer group. The thing he loved doing the most was preaching the homilies at Mass on Sundays, according to his family.

In 2016, after his wife died, he moved to Casa San Carlo in Northlake, where he served on the liturgy committee and wrote meditations for the daily Masses.

Sister of St. Casimir M. Rosalinda Grigonis, 96, died Oct. 9.

Born in Gary, Indiana, Sister Rosalinda entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1938 and made her final vows in 1947.

She taught in schools in New Mexico, Nebraska and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Vilna School (1940-1941), Providence of God School (1941), Immaculate Conception School, Brighton Park (1942-1946, 1947-1949), St. Anthony, Cicero (1949), Nativity BVM School (1952-1955), St. George, Bridgeport (1965-1967), St. Joseph, South Chicago (1968-1969) and St. Peter and Paul (1955-1965), where she also served as principal. She ministered at Maria High School as math teacher and assistant principal (1971-1989). She then served as assistant to the general treasurer before moving to Franciscan Village in 2014, where she served in the ministry of prayer and presence. 

Loretto Sister Betty Obal, 75, died Oct. 12 at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky.

Born in Nebraska, Sister Betty was received into the Sisters of Loretto in 1984 and made her final vows in 1993. She served mostly in Denver, Chicago and New York, where she worked at the United Nations in Loretto’s NGO office.

From 1987 to 1995, Sister Betty lived in Chicago. During this period, she lived in a variety of settings, including at the Catholic Worker house in Uptown Chicago. She also worked part-time and full-time in a number of positions, including as associate director of alternative housing for women with disabilities and for the Institute of Women Today Sisterhouse, an ecumenical group where more than 15 female ex-offenders, religious sisters, teachers and homeless people shared community. During this time, Sister Betty also initiated the Accessibility Project, a Loretto-funded study that resulted in improved policies and standards in the Chicago archdiocese for inclusion of persons with disabilities. In addition, she was a substitute teacher in several Chicago-area school districts. 

She is survived by her sister, Delores Jacobs, and her brother, Thomas Obal.

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Mary Corona (Teresa) Molenda, 92, died Oct. 14 in Grand Prairie, Texas, where she ministered to elderly sisters, leading them each day in prayers, exercises, songs and poetry.

A native of Argo, she had been in religious life for 76 years. She began her teaching ministry at St. Hyacinth School in Chicago in 1945. She taught for 61 years in Illinois, Florida and Texas.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Hyacinth, St. Susanna, St. Josaphat, St. Stanislaus, Holy Trinity, St. Adalbert, St. Hedwig and St. Camillus.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary (Michael Celeste) Saynay, 91, died Oct. 21 in Adrian, Michigan.

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

Sister Mary ministered in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio.

In Chicago, she taught at St. Columbanus (1949-1952) and St. Mary Star of the Sea (1952-1955).

She is survived by two brothers, Joseph and Lawrence Saynay, and seven sisters: Margaret Rogers, Barbara Barba, Lillian Grochowski, Bernadine Eschrich, Constance Saynay, Rosalie Spellecy and Adrian Dominican Sister Barbara Mary Saynay.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Phyllis (Mary Regina) Dugan, 90, died Oct. 22 in Ohio.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, she was in her 73rd year of religious life.

In Chicago, she served as the principal of Notre Dame High School for Girls (1972-1982). After a short sabbatical, Sister Phyllis returned to work as a consultant to secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago (1983-1988), and later became assistant superintendent for secondary education in the Diocese of Cleveland. In 1993, she returned to Columbus, and served as the director of pastoral services for the diocese until health issues made it necessary for her to retire in 2002.

Maryknoll Sister Barbara Ann (Rose Barbara) Walenty, 90, died Oct. 24 in Maryknoll, New York.

She was born in Detroit and had been a Mary-knoll sister for 61 years.

She served as a hospital operating room supervisor in Kansas City before being sent to Hong Kong in 1963. She studied Cantonese and served there as an operating room supervisor and supervisor of the student nurse hostel. In 1973, she returned to the United States and ministered in hospitals and Catholic communities in Chinatowns in New York and Boston.

In 1979, she was assigned to St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chicago, where she served as school nurse and teacher’s aide until 1986, when she returned to Michigan to care for her elderly parents. 

In 1999, she returned to Chicago to retire, but continued to volunteer as a part-time religious education and art teacher at St. Therese School, where she remained until 2008.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Margaret (Elenara) Mihm, 101, died Oct. 26 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Washington, D.C., Sister Margaret made her first religious profession in 1943 and her final profession in 1946.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Margaret taught at St. Thomas More (1949-1955) and Queen of Peace, Burbank (1976-1977, 1978-1980). She served as assistant business officer at Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest (1967-1968), and as the secretary for the Eastern Province of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation while living in River Forest (1989-1992) and secretary of Project OPUS (Order of Preachers in the United States) (1993-2000).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Kathleen (Donaldus) Malone, 80, died Oct. 29, 2018, in Lancaster, Wisconsin.

Born in Nebraska, she made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1958 and her perpetual profession in 1961. She taught for 39 years and served in educational administration for 18 years. Sister Kathleen served in Wisconsin and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Visitation (1960-1965).

Sister of Christian Charity Mary Mercedes (Marie) Johnson, 91, died Sept. 27 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette. She was 91 years old.

Born in Minnesota, she entered the candidacy in 1941. She made first vows in 1946 and perpetual vows in 1952.

For 46 years, she ministered as a cook in convents in Wilmette, Chicago and other cities in the Midwest, and at the Generalate in Rome.

In 1992 she volunteered to go to Fulton, Missouri, where she embarked on a new ministry: parish visitor and director of an after-school program. She returned to Wilmette in 2008.

Adrian Dominican Sister Hilda Nadine (Carl Edward) Sheehan, 81, died Oct. 4, while attending a Dominican Sisters Conference at the Mary-knoll Sisters in Ossining, New York.

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

She was an educator in Illinois, Michigan, California and Georgia, and a family nurse practitioner and primary care nurse in Kentucky and Michigan. In 2017 she was appointed vicaress of the Adrian Dominican Vicariate, where she served until her death.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary of Mount Carmel (1957-1961); St. Rita Elementary (1961-1965); Bishop Quarter, Oak Park (1965-1966); and Queen of Angels (1966-1968).

She is survived by three sisters: Laurine Jessop, Sharon Crisan and Jacqueline Noonan; and one brother, Carl.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marie Amanda Allard, 91, died Oct. 7 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Kewanee, Illinois, Sister Marie Amanda made her first religious profession in 1947 and her final profession in 1950.

After teaching and serving as a principal for 21 years, Sister Marie Amanda was elected prioress of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation for two terms, serving from 1967 to 1977 and leading the congregation through the changes of the Second Vatican Council.

Sister Marie Amanda also ministered in diocesan administration, including director of education, director of the permanent diaconate program and as director of lay ministry formation, totaling 19 years. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas and Oklahoma. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marie Amanda taught at Epiphany (1947-1954).

Daughter of Charity Phyllis Nolan, 83, died Oct. 9.

Born in Chicago, Sister Phyllis graduated from the Immaculata and entered the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul from St. Bartholomew Parish in 1953.

She taught in Missouri, Nevada, Puerto Rico and Texas.

In 1979, she went as a missionary to Bolivia, serving in catechetical and pastoral ministry in Trinidad, La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba before returning to the United States in 2000.

She then served in pastoral ministry in Texas and Arkansas, and as a legal assistant, English as a Second Language teacher and advocate for unaccompanied minors in Texas before returning to the Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana, in 2014.

Father Anthony Adducci, 67, died Sept. 30. He retired in 2016 after serving most recently as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago.

Born in Chicago, Father Adducci attended St. Anthony of Padua School, Quigley South Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1976.

He served as associate pastor at St. Ferdinand and Holy Rosary before serving as chaplain at St. Anne Hospital, St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital and most recently at St. Joseph Hospital.

Father Dennis Zalecki, a classmate and pastor emeritus of St. Anastasia Parish in Waukegan, had known Father Adducci since their high school years at Quigley South. “He was a very good priest and friend, and humor was one of his outstanding characteristics.”

According to Father Zalecki, although Father Adducci’s health had been fragile, he always maintained a sense of hopefulness.

Sister of St. Casimir M. Michaeline Pakrosnis, 88, died Sept. 7 at Mother Theresa Home in Lemont.

A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Sister Michaeline entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1948 and made her final vows in 1956. 

She ministered in Sisters of St. Casimir institutions and local convents in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, New Mexico, Maryland and Florida. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at Providence of God Convent (1954-1955); St. Bartholomew Convent, Waukegan (1955-1956); St. Norbert Convent, Northbrook (1964-1965); and the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Casimir (1973-2007).

She served in the ministry of prayer and presence at the SSC Motherhouse and Franciscan Village (2007-2018). 

Sister of St. Joseph Dorothy (Kathleen) Lynch, 88, died Sept. 12.

She had been in religious life for 69 years, and she earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and two master’s degrees, one from Loyola and one from DePaul University.

She was on the leadership team at Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, and at St. Paul High School.

Sister Dorothy was president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of La Grange, executive director of the Christian Life Center in La Grange and pastoral associate at St. Francis Xavier Parish, La Grange.

She is survived by her siblings Vincent Lynch, Servite Father Myles (Tom) Lynch and Norine (John) King.

Felician Sister Mary Presentia (Lucy) Nitecke, 101, died on Sept. 16 at Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Milwaukee, she entered the Felician Sisters in 1936 and professed her final vows in 1944. She served primarily as a music teacher for more than 40 years at various schools in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas and North Dakota. She also ministered at St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee as a medical records clerk for 30 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1936-1937, 1965-1966); St. Joseph (1938-1938, 1960-1961); St. Bruno (1939-1940); St. Mary Magdalene (1944-1947, 1966-1967); St. Stanislaus, Posen (1947-1948, 1973-1975); Holy Innocents, (1948-1949); St. John of God (1956-1958); St. James (1958-1959); Sacred Heart (1959-1960); St. Bronislava (1964-1965) and Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1968-1969).

Sister of St. Casimir Jeanne Moceyunas, 82, died Sept. 20 in Cordoba, Argentina.

Born in Pennsylvania, Sister Jeanne entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1956 and made her final vows in 1964. She ministered in New Mexico and in Rosario and Cordoba, Argentina.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Nativity BVM School (1959-1962), St. George School, Bridgeport (1963-1964), and Sts. Peter and Paul School, West Pullman (1964-1966).

Mercy Sister Solina (Alice) Hicks, 105, died Sept. 23.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Solina attended Mercy High School in Milwaukee and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1934.

Her first assignment was as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher at St. Cecilia, Chicago.

After 10 years of teaching in Chicago Catholic schools, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1952 from Saint Xavier College and a master of fine arts degree in 1954 from Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan. Upon graduation, she began her life’s work as an art teacher, and always as a working artist.

Sister Solina was the original designer of the art department at Saint Xavier College’s new campus in 1954. She served as its first chair from then until 1965. She created the Saint Xavier College shield which is still in use today.

Her own work was controversial as she introduced the college community to modern art. “If the church has to deal with the modern then there has to be modern art in the church,” she said.

Always a progressive, Sister Solina’s later experiences included teaching art at an alternative school for Mexican Americans in California. She also spent time on a Navajo reservation in Arizona.

At 105 years old, Sister Solina was the oldest Sister of Mercy in the West Midwest Community.

Divine Word Father Stanley Plutz, 92, vice postulator for the canonization of St. Arnold Janssen and longtime missionary in the Philippines, died Sept. 23 in Techny.

Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, Father Plutz entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1940 and professed religious vows in 1946.

In 1953, he was ordained to the priesthood and left for his first overseas assignment in the Philippines in 1954.

In 1999, Father Plutz became the vice postulator for the sainthood cause of Father Arnold Janssen, founder of the Society of the Divine Word.

Upon returning to the United States in 2000, he was assigned to the U.S. Southern Province and continued to promote devotion to St. Arnold, who was canonized in 2003.

During his 46 years as a missionary in the Philippines, Father Plutz served as a teacher and spiritual director.

Father Plutz had been living at Techny since 2013.

Adrian Dominican Sister Virginia (Joan Patricia) O’Reilly, 91, died Sept. 24 in Adrian, Michigan.

Sister Virginia was born in Detroit and was in the 75th year of her religious life.

Sister Virginia ministered in Illinois, Florida, Georgia and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita Elementary School (1944-1946), Aquinas High School (1960-1964) and Illinois Institute of Technology (1967-1968).

Sister Virginia is survived by a sister, Patricia Rush.

Deacon Philip White, 73, died Aug. 28 in Wisconsin. He was ordained in 1980 and served at St. Eulalia, Maywood, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

Deacon White, formerly of Westchester, was born in Ireland and attended University College Dublin, where he met his wife of 43 years, Lucy Power.

The couple immigrated to Chicago in 1974 and Deacon White taught religion at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy; daughters Rachel White and Maureen White; son Brendan White; and three grandchildren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Prudence Ludwig died Aug. 16, her 96th birthday, in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Montana, Sister Prudence made her first religious profession in 1945 and her final profession in 1948. She served in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Nebraska, California and Colorado.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Prudence taught at St. Philip Benizi (1945-1949), Visitation (1957-1958) and St. Brendan (1960-1967 and 1978-1979).

She is survived by a sister, Barbara Corboy.

Sister of Providence Jean Anne (Robert Marie) Maher, 85, died Aug. 23 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Agnes School and Providence High School. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in 1951 and professed final vows in 1955. 

Sister Jean Anne ministered in Indiana, Illinois, California, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Andrew (1965-1967); St. Mark (1967-1970); St. David (1970-1971, 1979-1980); St. Sylvester (1975-1976); St. Angela (1976-1978); Chicago Urban Skills Institute (1980-1984); St. Priscilla (1984-1985); St. Beatrice, Schiller Park (1992-1993); Holy Family (1993-1994); and St. Stanislaus Kostka (1994-1996); and was a pastoral associate at St. Mark (1996-1999) and St. Simeon, Bellwood (1999-2003).

Sister Jean Anne is survived by a sister, Celeste Sammet.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Marie Florian) Wolff, 100, died Sept. 3 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Nebraska, Sister Mary made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa in 1938, and her final profession in 1941. She taught for 69 years, 10 while also serving as principal, and created and ran a reading program for 10 years. Sister Mary served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, California and Colorado.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught at St. Philip Benizi (1938-1939); Visitation (1939-1947); St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield (1959-1964); and Trinity High School, River Forest (1981-1988).

She is survived by two brothers, F. Patrick Wolff and Benedictine Abbot Theodore Wolff.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Ellen (Ann Edward) Brodeur, 90, died Sept. 10 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 72nd year of her religious profession.

Sister Mary Ellen ministered in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Carthage (1955-1961).

Father Thomas J. Purtell, 83, died Aug. 24. He was pastor emeritus of St. John Fisher Parish.

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

He was assistant pastor at St. Joseph, Homewood; Our Lady of Lourdes (Keeler Street); and St. Benedict, Blue Island. He was named pastor of St. John Fisher Parish in 1984, and he remained there until he retired in 2003.

Father Daniel Brady, pastor emeritus of St. Cecilia Parish in Mount Prospect, knew Father Purtell for almost 70 years and remembers his classmate as “a very good friend, a marvelous storyteller and wonderful priest.”

Deacon Anthony Llorens, 85, died Aug. 25. He was a member of the first class of permanent deacons in the archdiocese, ordained in 1972, and served at Providence-St. Mel and St. Martin de Porres parishes.

Deacon Llorens owned a company that made grinding wheels for the aeronautics industry, according to his daughter, Julie Richardson. 

As a deacon, he led classes for people participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. He was active in the Westside Catholic Cluster, which gave him its first Bishop Dempsey Award; and the Black Catholic Deacons of Chicago. He received the Augustus Tolton Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Black Catholics.

He was the deacon who sang the prayers of the faithful at Pope St. John Paul II’s 1979 Mass in Grant Park, Richardson said. 

He served as president of the Providence-St. Mel school board, was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was an honorary member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver.

He and his wife of 66 years, Mathilda, had 10 children: Anthony, Magdalena, Michael, John, Arnold, Ronald, Julie, Martin, Antoinette and Sophia. They had 24 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Felician Sister Mary Sebastian (Helen) Dzwierzynski, 100, died Aug. 14 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Sister Mary Sebastian was born in Chicago, where she attended St. John of God and Hamline elementary schools and Good Counsel High School. She entered the Felician Sisters’ postulancy in 1942 and professed her final vows in 1950. She ministered for almost 25 years as a teacher in elementary schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. Later, she cared for the aged in Illinois and Wisconsin. She also served as a housekeeper at the Cardinal’s Residence.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Sts. Peter and Paul (1944-1946), Sacred Heart (1948-1959), St. Bruno (1959-1960), St. Bronislava (1964-1968), St. Andrew Home in Niles (1983-1986), and the Cardinal’s Residence (1986-1994).

Jesuit Father Earl A. Weis, 95, died Aug. 15 in Clarkston, Michigan. He had served as a professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago for almost 40 years.

\Father Weis, who was a Jesuit for nearly 77 years and a priest for 64 years, also served as chair of the theology department at Loyola University Chicago from 1971 to 1980.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1941. In addition to teaching, he was a staff editor of the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1963-1966) and editor of Corpus Instrumentorum (1966-1970).

Father Michael A. Olivero, 70, retired pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Mount Prospect, died Aug. 4.

Born in Chicago, Father Olivero attended St. John Berchmans School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary North and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1974.

Father Olivero was associate pastor at Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village; St. Cecilia, Mount Prospect; and St. Cyprian, River Grove. In 1993, he was appointed pastor of St. Stephen Protomartyr, Des Plaines, and served in that role until 2005, when he became pastor of St. Cecilia. He retired on June 30.

Msgr. John Pollard, retired pastor of Queen of All Saints Basilica, remembers his classmate as a good and faithful priest. “He spent all his years in the priesthood in parishes dedicating himself to the people of the archdiocese,” said Msgr. Pollard. “He was a very fine liturgist and preacher, always present to his people who were always and foremost in his mind.”

Father John J. Powers, 93, died Aug. 10. He was pastor emeritus of St. Jude the Apostle, South Holland.

Born in Chicago, Father Powers attended St. Robert Bellarmine School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1951.

Father Powers was assistant pastor at Ascension, Harvey; Ascension, Oak Park; St. Mary, Riverside; and Holy Ghost, South Holland. In 1978, he was appointed pastor of St. Jude the Apostle, where he served until retirement in 1995.

Father George J. Kane, pastor emeritus of Church of the Holy Spirit, Schaumburg, remembers his classmate as “kind, compassionate, joyous and absolutely dependable. All through these years this is how he lived his life as a priest.”

BVM Sister Mary Enid Lodding, 91, died July 27 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Sister Mary Enid was born in Chicago and entered the BVM congregation in 1944 from St. Joseph Parish.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Enid taught at St. Agatha and was a pastoral associate at Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights.

She also taught in Rock Island and East Moline, Illinois, and in Iowa, Tennessee, Washington and Oregon. She was a pastoral minister in Iowa and director of religious education in Addison, Illinois. 

Adrian Dominican Sister Jean Charles (Elizabeth Ann) Birney, 94, died Aug. 3 in Adrian, Michigan. Born in Michigan, she was in the 76th year of her religious life. 

She ministered in Michigan, Illinois and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1942); St. Philip Neri (1948-1952); and St. Edmund, Oak Park (1957-1958).

Sister Jean Charles is survived by a half-brother, Charles Birney Jr., and two half-sisters, Charlene Sundquist and Patricia Lane.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Mary Anthony Leno, 86, died Aug. 7.

Born in Chicago, she had been in religious life for 69 years.

She ministered in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, including more than 40 years teaching Spanish at Lourdes High School. After retirement, she composed prayers at Clare Oaks in Bartlett.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Kathleen (Marie Amy) Brady, 69, died Aug. 10 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Milwaukee, Sister Kathleen made her first religious profession in 1968 and her final profession in 1973. She was an educator, chaplain and family caregiver in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, Montana and Colorado. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Kathleen taught at Epiphany (1974-1980) and Immaculate Conception (1980-1981) and was principal at St. Pius (1981-1983). 

Jesuit Father Thomas Widner, 76, died Aug. 13 in Indianapolis. He had been a priest for 49 years and a Jesuit for 33.

Born in Indiana, he did seminary studies at St. Mary’s College in Kentucky and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis before being ordained in 1969 for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. 

He ministered as an archdiocesan priest in Indianapolis for 15 years, teaching high school English, serving as an associate pastor and co-pastor and working as editor-in-chief of the archdiocesan newspaper, the Criterion.

He entered the Jesuits in 1985 and served as an assistant editor and writer for America Magazine. He was the editor of the New World, as the Archdiocese of Chicago newspaper was known, from 1992 to 1995.

He later was a publications assistant at Company Magazine while serving as director of the Chicago Province communication office, worked in retreat ministry and as the Secretary for Communications at the USA Jesuit Conference.

Father Widner moved back to Indianapolis in 2004, where he served as vice president for mission and identity at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and rector of the Jesuit community (2004-2010). In 2010, he became the director of spiritual formation at Bishop Bruté Seminary, where he worked until his death.

Father John J. McDonnell, 71, died July 23. He had been the pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father McDonnell (also known as Father JJ), attended St. Cornelius School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary North, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1973. 

Fourteen years into his priesthood, Father McDonnell joined the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome to pursue his doctorate in sacred theology.
Father McDonnell was assistant pastor at St. Louise de Marillac, LaGrange Park, and associate pastor at Holy Name Cathedral Parish. 

He taught Christian anthropology and ecclesiology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary; was the administrative secretary for Cardinal Francis George from 1997 through 2003; and served as pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish from 2003 until retirement in 2017.

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia (Anne Robert) Spangler, 83, died July 29 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Chicago, she was in her 66th year of religious life.

She ministered in Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Kentucky and Kansas. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1961-1966); St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1966-1967); and Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1967). 

She was principal at Queen of Angels (1969-1972); and was a volunteer tutor at Aquinas Literacy Center (2004, 2010-2013).
Sister Patricia is survived by a brother, Thomas Spangler.

Redemptorist Brother Patrick (John Foster) Concidine, 85, died July 25 in St. Louis.

He had been in poor health for several years. 

Born in DeKalb, Illinois, Brother Patrick became interested in the Redemptorists after attending a high school retreat. He professed temporary vows in 1949 and permanent vows in 1955.

He was trained as a tailor and made more than 1,000 habits for his fellow Redemptorists as a young brother in Wisconsin.
He served as a sacristan and porter at communities throughout the Midwest before being assigned as sacristan to St. Alphonsus Parish, which served a large, culturally diverse community. 

With the blessing of his superiors, he began an outreach program to the Filipino community with the Confraternity of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, serving as a link between the Redemptorists in the Philippines and the Filipinos in the Chicago area. 

Brother Patrick was granted permission to devote all of his time to the Perpetual Help Confraternity when he relocated to Old St. Michael’s in 1984. He and an assistant shared a small office in the former convent on the church grounds. Membership in the confraternity grew into the thousands, and members in the Chicago area participated in the Tuesday novena services and the annual novena leading up to the Perpetual Help feast day celebration in June. 

Deacon John (Jack) O’Leary died April 26 in New Lenox, Illinois. He was ordained in 1984 and had served at St. Joseph Parish, Homewood. As part of his diaconate ministry, he trained altar servers and was a minister of care. 

He is survived by his children Sheila and Tom; daughter in-law Erin; grandchildren Colleen, Courtney, Kara and Michael; and great-grandchild Jayden.

Adrian Dominican Sister Therese (Mary Jane Therese, Therese Marcel) Reynolds, 82, died July 5 in Adrian, Michigan.

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

She ministered in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1962-1970).

Sister Therese is survived by a brother, Marcel Reynolds, and a sister, Dorothy Waldbillig.

Providence Sister Maureen Ann McCarthy, 89, died July 6 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Genevieve School and the Immaculata before entering the Sisters of Providence in 1947. She professed final vows in 1954. 

She ministered in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, Maryland and Texas. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Angela (1959-1960), St. Columbkille (1960-1965), St. Francis Borgia (1967-1972), St. Andrew (1973-1975), St. Genevieve (1976-1982), Immaculate Conception (1985-1986); and Providence-St. Mel (1986-1997).

Felician Sister Mary Francesca (Josephine) LaCerba, 79, died July 9, in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Chicago, she attended Mulligan and Newberry elementary schools and St. Michael Central High School. She entered the Felician Sisters in 1957 and professed her final vows in 1965. She ministered in elementary and high schools as a teacher and librarian in Illinois and Wisconsin. She was moderator of the Mother of Good Counsel Ladies Auxiliary for 15 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Turibius (1960-1961); St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates (1963-1969); Good Counsel High School (1974-2004); and Our Lady of Tepeyac (2006-2015).

Redemptorist Father John Paul Andree, 76, died July 10 in Liguori, Missouri, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Born in Detroit, he joined the Redemptorists in 1963 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. 

Father Andree served in retreat ministry in Rolling Meadows; was a member of the Redemptorist Chicago Mission preaching team; and was in residence at both St. Alphonsus and at Old St. Michael’s (Cleveland Avenue). He served for 23 years as director of the Co-Redemptorist Association.

Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Sister Lucy (Rose) Megaro, 86, died July 12 in Donaldson, Indiana. 

Born in Chicago, she was educated by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and after finishing high school, she worked as a beautician on the North Side of Chicago. 

She took care of children and teenagers at Angel Guardian Orphanage from 1957 to 1974.

After earning associates and bachelor’s degrees, she taught preschool at Angel Guardian Day Care on the South Side from 1985 to 1990 and ministered in home health care to the elderly in Chicago and Cincinnati from 1991 to 2011, Ohio. After semi-retiring, she became a volunteer for the Little Brothers of the Poor to continue service to the elderly.  

Providence Sister Pauline (Janet Agnes) Brockelsby, 79, died July 13 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.  

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1960 and professed final vows in 1968.  She was a teacher and chaplain who ministered in Indiana, Virginia, New Hampshire, Illinois and California.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was a chaplain at St. Ann Hospital (1981-1983).

Father John L. Harvey, 67, died June 9. He was pastor of St. Mary Queen of Apostles Parish in Riverdale.

Born in Chicago, Father Harvey attended Hales Franciscan High School, earned a bachelor’s degree at the St. Louis University and a pursued a master’s degree at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1986.

Father Harvey served at the following parishes: St. Felicitas, St. Benedict the African-East and West, St. Mary of the Assumption, and St. Mary Queen of Apostles Parish in Riverdale. For many years, Father Harvey served as the cardinal’s liaison to the Charismatic Renewal. 

Deacon Kevin Hill, 72, died April 21 after battling ALS. 

He was ordained in 2009 and previously served at St. John Brebeuf Parish, Niles. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Deacon August “Gus” E. Jeffery, 91, died June 22. He was ordained in 1994 and served at Divine Savior Parish, Norridge.

Born in Chicago, Deacon Jeffery graduated from Loyola University and did much of his graduate work there. He taught at St. Rita High School for 35 years and served as a full-time deacon at Divine Savior Parish, Norridge.

He is survived by his brother, Joseph.

Deacon Carlos Nazario, 84, died June 23 in Florida, where he lived for a number of years. He was ordained in 1989 and previously ministered at Our Lady of Grace Parish.

He was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Chicago in 1955. He lived in Chicago for 46 years.

He worked for Newmann Family Services, an organization that served mentally disabled children, and for the City of Chicago’s Department of Human Services.

He is survived by his wife, Susana; his children Carlos May Nazario and Wanda Ivette Nazario; his stepson Manuel Vargas; and two grandchildren.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Annella Kipa, 92, died June 12.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1951 and professed final vows in 1960.
 
In Chicago, she taught at Holy Trinity School and Immaculate Heart of Mary School. She also served at Holy Family Health Center (later Holy Family Nursing and Rehab) in Des Plaines for 24 years as receptionist, medical records assistant, housekeeping manager and other jobs that she took on as needed. She volunteered at Casa San Carlo Retirement Community in Northlake for nine years before retiring to the provincialate in Des Plaines at the age of 90.

Sister of the Living Word Genevieve Shea, 98, died June 19.

Sister Genevieve, who was known as Sister Camilla after joining the Sisters of Christian Charity, taught elementary and high school in Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri and Iowa for 20 years, was a principal for eight years and served as a librarian at Mallinkrodt College in Wilmette. She later ministered as a chaplain and ministered to the elderly for 10 years.

After retiring, she served as community archivist for the Sisters of the Living Word for 16 years, and began to develop the community’s website during that time. In her mid- to late 80s, she volunteered with the Over 50 Group at St. James Parish in Arlington Heights.

She later moved to the Resurrection Life Center.

Conventual Franciscan Deacon Francis Patrick McGann Jr., 77, died June 22.

Deacon McGann was a devoted Conventual Franciscan friar dedicated to promoting the witness and life of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Prior to taking his solemn vows, Deacon McGann shared 37 years of marriage with Lois McGann, who he had known since grade school. 

Born and raised in Moorestown, New Jersey, where he owned a liquor store and an Irish pub, he was ordained a permanent deacon in 1983 and served at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Moorestown until he decided to pursue his lifelong vocational calling by beginning his postulancy. 

Deacon McGann is survived by his former wife, Lois McGann; their three daughters, Kathleen McGann, Kelly Hébert and Karen McGann-Smith; and their son, Kyle Francis McGann; his sister Margaret Aeillio; and five grandchildren.

Adrian Domican Sister Ann Seraphim (Doris) Schenk, 100, died June 24 in Adrian, Michigan. She was 100 years of age and in the 81st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

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

She ministered in elementary and music education in Michigan, Illinois and Arizona.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was an elementary and music teacher at St. James, Maywood (1947-1950) and an elementary teacher at St. Denis (1972-1973).

Sister of St. Casimir Evelyn Vichuras, 96, died June 25. 

A native of Gary, Indiana, Sister Evelyn entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1939.  She made her first profession of vows in 1942 and made her final vows in 1947. 

After a few years teaching in the elementary grades, Sister Evelyn spent well over 50 years in health care.  In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as a teacher at Our Lady of Vilna School (1942-1945) and Nativity BVM School (1947-1949).  She served in health care ministries at Holy Cross Hospital from 1954 to 2007.

BVM Sister Maurine Therese Thiel, 86, died June 28 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the community from Our Lady of Angels Parish in 1949.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Maurine was an elementary teacher at Annunciation, Holy Name, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Angels, St. Bartholomew, and St. Constance schools in Chicago; a primary teacher aide at Divine Savior, Norridge; and volunteered as a catechist at St. Dismas Parish, Waukegan.

She also ministered in other communities in Illinois and in Missouri and Iowa.

Adrian Dominican Sister Georgina (Dorothy) Luznicky90, died June 30.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Lourdes High School. She was in the 71st year of her religious life. She held master’s degrees in education and history from DePaul University.

She ministered Michigan and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Ascension, Harvey (1953-1957); St. Philip Neri (1960-1961); and Aquinas High School (1961-1962); was principal at St. Philip Neri (1962-1968); was St. Dominic Province Education Coordinator at St. Rita (1968-1969); was councilor and director of education (1969-1970) and administrator of the St. Dominic Province, Hometown; was an executive secretary and student at Catholic Theological Union (1972-1973): was a consultant in the archdiocesan Catholic schools office (1987-1999); and was an administrative assistant in the chapter office, Burbank (1999-2004).

Adrian Dominican Sister Carol Denise (Mary Catherine) Koenig, 85, died July 1 in Adrian, Michigan. Born in Ohio, she in the 67th year of her religious life.

She ministered in Michigan, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico and Ohio.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Santa Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (1953-1957) and Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1979-1983).

She is survived by a brother, Dennis Koenig.

Sister Marylin (St. Robert of Mary) Stack, a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame, died July 2 in Wilton, Connecticut.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, she made her first profession of vows in 1959 in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and her perpetual vows in1965 in Montreal.

For more than 50 years she was involved in Catholic education in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Illinois, and South Dakota.  For more than twenty years Sister Stack ministered at St. Jude the Apostle school and parish in South Holland as teacher and administrator.

Father John J. Rochford, 96, died June 1 at Palos Community Hospital, Palos Heights. He was pastor emeritus of St. Emeric Parish, Country Club Hills.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Joachim School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1947.

Father Rochford served as assistant pastor at St. Mark, St. Bartholomew and St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect between 1947 and 1966.

He was then chaplain at Alexian Brothers Hospital, now Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center, in Elk Grove Village, for six years before being named pastor of St. Emeric Parish in 1972. He was named pastor emeritus in 1991.

BVM Sister Ann Ida Gannon, 103, died June 3, in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1932, from St. Jerome Parish and professed final vows in 1940.

Sister Ann Ida was a professor at Mundelein College, Chicago, where she later served as president from 1957 to 1975. In Chicago, she also taught at St. Mary High School and St. Ferdinand and St. Charles elementary schools.

Beyond her academic responsibilities, she participated in the governance processes of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1960 she was the youngest chapter delegate participating in the election of the congregation’s leadership.

She received numerous awards, including the University of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, and 26 honorary degrees.

She is survived by a sister, Benedictine Sister Joan Gannon.

Divine Word Brother Patrick Hegarty, 97, who helped to make Ireland’s The Word one of the country’s most successful magazines, died on May 28.

Born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1921, he was the eldest of six brothers. After finishing school, he worked as an apprentice at a general store in Kilsallagh, Galway, before joining the Society of the Divine Word at St. Patrick’s College, Donamon Castle, Roscommon, in 1944. 

Brother Patrick worked in Great Britain during the 1950s, at Divine Word College in Rome in the early 1960s and in the United States thereafter. In Ireland and the United Kingdom, he sold greeting cards and The Word magazine; in the U.S., he sold altar wine produced at a Divine Word winery.

In 2006 at age 85, Brother Patrick moved to Bordentown, New Jersey, to retire. Fluent in German, Italian and Spanish, he volunteered at the Trenton Diocesan Office for Migrants and Refugees in Perth Ambry, New Jersey. While there, he helped hundreds of immigrants from South and Central America navigate the immigration system. 

He moved to Techny in 2009.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Leopold Kaufmann, 95, died May 29 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, she made her first religious profession in 1942 and her final profession in 1945. She taught elementary students for 40 years and served as finance officer for 13 years, secretary to the prioress of the congregation for six years, and sacristan for five years. Sister Leopold served in Illinois, New York, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Leopold taught at St. Sabina (1942-1943); Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1944-1957, 1968-1970); and St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest (1965-1968).

She is survived by a brother, Denis Kaufmann.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Mary Colum) O’Donnell, 88, died June 6.

Born in Massachusetts, Sister Mary made her first religious profession in 1956 and her final profession in 1959. She taught math and physics for 56 years, serving in a high school and colleges. Sister Mary ministered in Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan and Mississippi.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest (1961-1970, 1971-1980 and 1984-2000). She served as lab instructor at University of Illinois at Chicago (2001-2005) and tutor at Malcolm X College (2001-2015).

She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Berry and Annie Burch; and a brother, John O’Donnell.

BVM Sister Jeanne (Suzette) Granville, 90, died June 10 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in St. Louis, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947.

From 1950 to 1982, Sister Jeanne taught elementary school in the Archdiocese of Chicago at St. Callistus; St. Ferdinand; St. Joseph; and St. Dorothy, where she was principal; St. Eulalia in Maywood; St. Joseph in Round Lake; and she was principal at Seven Holy Founders, Calumet Park. 

Father John W. Tapper, 82, died May 20. He was pastor emeritus of St. Ansgar Parish in Hanover Park.

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

He served as assistant or associate pastor at Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights; Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein; St. Francis de Sales, Lake Zurich; St. Alphonsus Liguori, Prospect Heights; St. Ansgar, Hanover Park; and St. Cecilia; Mount Prospect. In 2006, he was given the title of pastor emeritus.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Carol Sutter, 80, died May 17 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Carol made her first religious profession in 1957 and her final profession in 1960. 

She was a teacher and religious educator who ministered in Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Carol taught at St. Basil (1958-1961) and St. Thomas More (1976-1978). 

She is survived by two sisters, Jean Sutter and Betty Endres, and a brother, Richard Sutter.

Holy Cross Sister Bernice Marie (M. Josephina) Hollenhorst, 88, died May 16.

A native of Minnesota, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1949 and professed first vows in 1952.

She ministered for 23 years as a teacher, mostly in Illinois and Indiana, and earned a master’s degree at Rosary College, now Dominican University. She then ministered for 27 years as library director at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. During that time, she sought funding for a new library and oversaw its design and construction. Following her retirement in 2002, she spent 10 years serving as an archivist for her congregation.

Deacon Leonard F. Delisi, 75, of Dyer, Indiana, died May 4. He was ordained a deacon in 1980 and served at St. Victor, Calumet City.

Deacon Delisi was a successful small-business owner, establishing Calumet City Travel, then Excursions/Leonard’s Tours and Viva Las Vegas, before acquiring Royal American Travel.

In addition to serving as a deacon for many years, he participated as a member of the Glory Choir at St. Victor. Deacon Delisi also appeared on a variety of community theatre stages throughout the area.  

Mercy Sister Eleanora Holdgrafer, 93, died April 24.

Born in Iowa, she graduated from high school and worked for five years as a registered nurse before entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1949 in Des Plaines.

She went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and a master’s degree in health administration.

She served as a nurse at Mercy Hospital (1952-1955) and other hospitals in Illinois and Iowa before becoming a hospital administrator. In 1974, she became a family nurse practitioner and provided health care in eight counties in central Iowa through the Iowa State Department of Health.

She moved to Chicago in 2001 and to Mercy Circle in 2014.

Mercy Sister Dorothy Burns, 84, died April 27.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Tarcissus School and St. Patrick Academy, Des Plaines, graduating in 1951. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1954 in Des Plaines. 

While working toward her bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Xavier University, she taught at Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

After earning a master’s degree in business in 1966, she quickly worked her way up in the health care world, filling a variety of roles in Mercy institutions in Aurora, Illinois, before serving for four years as vice president at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. 

She returned to Mercy Medical Center in Aurora as chief operating officer in 1988 and eventually became president and chief executive officer.

Jesuit Father Francis P. Chamberlain, 81, a priest from Chicago who served in Peru for most of his life, died April 29. 

Born in Chicago, Father Chamberlain graduated from Loyola Academy, Wilmette, before entering the Society of Jesus in 1955. In 1962, he moved to Peru and lived there for the rest of his life. He was ordained a priest in 1968 and became an official member of the Peru Province of the Society of Jesus in 1985. 

During his ministry, Father Chamberlain was involved in efforts to help those affected by the Shining Path in the 1980s and 1990s. He was involved with the Matteo Ricci House, a place where 26 groups who came to the capital city to avoid the war in the 1980s and 1990s meet once a week to get the reparations they need for having to leave everything they had to save their families from the killing.

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Jeanine Marie Holthouse, 85, died May 2 in Ohio.

She was born in Ohio and grew up in Indiana. She joined the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati after graduating from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1954.

Sister Jeanine Marie’s ministries brought her to Michigan, Colorado, Illinois and Ohio. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught math (1969-1970) and then served in administration (1970-1982) at Elizabeth Seton High School, South Holland.

Jesuit Father Robert J. Ochs, 88, died May 4.

Born in Kansas, he moved to Chicago and finished high school at Loyola Academy, Wilmette. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1951 before entering the Society of Jesus in 1952. He was ordained in 1961 in Innsbruck, Austria, and pronounced final vows in 1972 in Chicago.

Father Ochs was best known for his two books “The Death in Every Now” (1969) and “God is More Present Than You Think” (1970), as well as serving as an adjunct professor of theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. 

Father Ochs worked as a researcher and writer from 1981 until he moved to Colombiere Center in December 2017 to care for his health. 

Mercy Sister Helen Weinfurter, 97, died May 5.

Born in Wisconsin, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1938 and professed perpetual vows in 1944.

Her first teaching assignments were at Chicago schools: St. Gabriel, St. Mary of the Lake and St. Catherine of Siena. 

After teaching at other Illinois and Wisconsin schools, she spent 30 years as an associate professor at Saint Xavier University, where she received the teacher excellence award in 1982.

Resurrection Sister Lydia Mary Yokiel, 104, died May 7 at Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Minnesota, she was received into the congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1931 and professed final vows in 1938.

In 1933, Sister Lydia Mary began a lifetime of ministry in Chicago with 54 years in education and 16 years in spiritual services in health care. She taught or was principal at St. Casimir High School (now Our Lady of Tepeyac High School), Resurrection High School, St. Thecla School and St. Mary of the Angels School. 

At 75, Sister Lydia Mary embarked on a totally new ministry in pastoral care and spiritual services at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center and Resurrection Medical Center. 

In 2004, Sister Lydia Mary retired to Queen of the Resurrection House of Prayer, and this past February moved to Resurrection Life Center. 
She is survived by her sister Angela and her brother James.

BVM Sister Rose André Koehler, 92, died May 8 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1943 and professed final vows in 1951.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Rose André taught elementary school at Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Gertrude, St. Cornelius and St. Dominic. She also taught in Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, California and Alabama.

Franciscan Sister Mary Dolorine, 100, died May 8. 

Sister Mary Dolorine entered the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago 1932, professed first vows in 1935 and final vows in 1941.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Five Holy Martyrs (1934-1938) and St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr (1940-1952).

She also taught, served as a school administrator and was a local superior in other communities in Illinois, and in Indiana and Ohio.

She retired to the motherhouse in Lemont in 2005. 

Father Dennis S. Riley, 66, died April 15. He was pastor emeritus of St. Angela Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Riley attended Paul Revere Elementary School, St. Bernard School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, Loyola University Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1979.

According to Father Philip Kiley, who said Father Riley was his best friend, Father Riley also earned a post-graduate degree in African-American Studies. 

After ordination to priesthood, Father Riley was associate pastor at St. Charles Lwanga, St. Margaret of Scotland, Holy Rosary and St. Ambrose. He served as pastor of St. Angela until 2001, when he became pastor emeritus.

Father Gerald F. Mulcahy, 81, died April 23. He was most recently pastor of St. Patricia Parish, Hickory Hills.

Father Mulcahy was born in Chicago and attended St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1962.

He was assistant pastor at St. Edward; St. Louise de Marillac, LaGrange Park; and Queen of All Saints Basilica; and associate pastor at St. Monica; St. Mary, Riverside; and St. Giles, Oak Park. In 1989, Father Mulcahy was named pastor of St. Patricia, where he served until he retired in 2007.

Father James T. O’Connor, 89, died April 27. He was pastor emeritus of St. Hugh Parish, Lyons.

Father O’Connor was born in Chicago and attended St. Francis Xavier School, LaGrange; Quigley Preparatory Seminary; and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1954.

Father O’Connor was assistant pastor at Resurrection (Jackson Street); St. Francis de Sales (Ewing Avenue); Divine Savior, Norridge; and St. James, Maywood.

He was pastor of Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown; St. Joseph, Libertyville; and St. Hugh, Lyons.

In 1994, he was given the title of pastor emeritus.  

School Sister of St. Francis Theresa Ann (Irita) Brames, 84, died March 28 in Milwaukee.

Born in Indiana, Sister Therese Ann was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1949 and made her final vows in 1957.

Beginning in 1950, Sister Theresa Ann ministered in Wisconsin and Illinois as a homemaker and driver for nearly seven decades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as a homemaker at St. William Convent (1950-1959). In retirement, Sister Theresa Ann served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee from 2015 until the time of her death.

Sister Theresa Ann is survived by her sister Louise Sekel and her brother Charles Brames.

School Sister of St. Francis Mary (Violette) Readdy, 83, died April 2 in Schaumburg. 

Sister Mary was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1953 and made her final vows in 1961.

Sister Mary ministered in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska for more than six decades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as a guidance counselor at Providence St. Mel High School (1984-1985); and taught at Alvernia High School (1985-1989), St. Benedict High School (1989-1990) and Holy Trinity High School (1990-2012). 

Sister Mary retired in 2012 and was serving in the ministry of prayer and presence in Schaumburg.

Sister Elizabeth (St. Laura of Mary) Scully of the Congregation of Notre Dame died April 21 in Wilton, Connecticut.

She entered the Congregation of Notre Dame in Montreal in 1946 and professed her perpetual vows in 1954.

Sister Elizabeth served as principal of St. Jude the Apostle School, South Holland, as well as teacher and principal in New York and Connecticut schools. 

She was mistress of novices and provincial leader in the United States province of her congregation, and she ministered in the Catholic schools office of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, and the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey.

Adrian Dominican Sister Judith Ann (James Charles) Seefeld, 78, died April 30 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Michigan, she was in the 60th year of her religious profession.

She ministered in Michigan, Florida, Illinois and California. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught elementary school at Queen of Angels (1960-1964), St. Lawrence (1966-1971) and St. Rita (1971-1974).
Sister Judith is survived by four sisters: Janet Seefeld, Joan Yingling, Jean Jackson and Joyce Seefeld.

Father Ronald C. Lewandowski, 80, died April 6. He had been associate pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Wadsworth, until retiring in 2008.

Father Lewandowski was born in Chicago and attended St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr School and Lane Technical High School.

He earned a bachelor’s degree at Wright City College in 1959 and a master’s degree in Divinity at Sacred Heart School of Theology in 1995 in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1995.

Father Lewandowski was associate pastor of Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights (1995-2000); St. Anne (2000-02); and St. Patrick, Wadsworth (2002-2008).

Father Ronald J. Gollatz, 72, died April 17. He was most recently the pastor of Transfiguration Parish, from 2007 to 2016.

Born in Chicago, Father Gollatz attended Our Lady of Help of Christians School and Quigley North. He earned a bachelor’s degree at DePaul University in 1968 and a master’s degree in at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1972.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Celestine, Elmwood Park, and as associate pastor of St. Bride; St. Martha, Morton Grove; St. Emily, Mount Prospect; and St. Gilbert, Grayslake.

He served as pastor of St. Thaddeus, St. Francis de Sales, Lake Zurich; and Transfiguration.

Monsignor Charles E. Lang, 85, died April 5 in Orange County, California.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Mel High School and Loyola University Chicago, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in chemistry and math. He earned a doctorate in physical chemistry from Iowa State University before entering Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1961. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Dubuque in 1965 and became an assistant professor in the chemistry department at Loras College in 1965.

In 1971, he earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Loyola University Chicago and added psychology to his teaching duties. He was named Loras’ dean of students in 1972, vice president for student affairs in 1977 and vice president for college advancement in 1985. 

In 1986, Monsignor Lang was appointed president of Mount St. Clare College in Clinton, Iowa, a post he held until 1991.

At the time of his death, Monsignor Lang served Loras College as a development officer and did pastoral work at many churches in the Archdiocese of Chicago, including St. Celestine, Elmwood Park; St. Constance; St. Cyprian, River Grove; St. Robert Bellarmine; and Our Lady Mother of the Church.

Claretian Father Thomas P. Joyce, 85, died April 6 in Arcadia, California.

Born in Chicago, he entered St. Jude Seminary in Momence, made his first religious profession in 1951 in California and was ordained a priest in 1959 in Chicago.

TJ, as he was known, served as a teacher and campus minister.

In 1972, he returned to Chicago as superior of the Claretian Provincial Residence in Oak Park. Over the next 30 years, TJ served at Holy Cross/IHM and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes, as director of the pre-novitiate program and vocations and superior of Claret House, the Claretian formation house. From 1975 to 1997, TJ served as a staff member at the 8th Day Center for Justice.

In 2002, his missionary work called him to Kingston, Jamaica, where he served until 2006. He served in various local Claretian communities until he retired in 2016.

He is survived by the last of his five brothers, John Joyce.

Mercy Sister Rita Corkery, 86, died at Mercy Circle April 10.

Born in the Pullman area of Chicago, she was taught by Sisters of Mercy at Holy Rosary School and Mercy High School. After high school, she entered the community in 1949. 

She began her career in teaching at St. Mary of the Lake School in 1952 and continued in the ministry of education for almost 40 years. She held a variety of teaching and administrative positions from primary grades through college level.  

Following her retirement from education, Sister Rita changed careers, working as a part-time hospital chaplain at St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, while she cared for her mother. After her mother’s death, Sister Rita continued her work in chaplaincy, taking on a position at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park, for 10 years.

In 2006, Sister Rita retired once again due to declining health. In 2011, she began living at Smith Village, a residential care facility in Chicago where she could receive more assistance, and she came to be known there as a volunteer chaplain and friend. She moved to Mercy Circle in 2017.

Adrian Dominican Sister Marie Amada (Marie Concepta Apodaca) Garcia, 98, died April 10 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she was in the 78th year of her religious life.

Sister Marie Amada ministered in Illinois, Arizona, New Mexico, Iowa, Michigan, California and Nevada.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1940-1941, 1944-1945).    

Sister Marie Amada is survived by a sister, Rita Lawrence.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Margaret Ellen (Brice) Brennan, 91, died April 17 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Sylvester School. She made her first religious profession in 1947 and her final profession in 1950. 

She served as a culinary artist and as a nurse in Oklahoma, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Wyoming and Iowa, as well as Florence, Italy.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Margaret Ellen served as a culinary artist at Trinity Convent, River Forest (1948-1952) and at Visitation Convent, Chicago (1965-1967). She ministered as a licensed practical nurse at Misericordia Home South (1978-1979); Queen of Peace Convent, Burbank (1989-1992); and Trinity Convent, River Forest (1989-2001). Sister Margaret Ellen served as prioress at Queen of Peace Convent, Burbank (1986-1989).

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Mildred “Micki” Flynn, 80, died Jan. 24 in Cincinnati.

She was in her 64th year of religious life.

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Sister Micki attended Notre Dame High School. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Victor, Calumet City; St. Mary, Des Plaines; and St. Anne, Barrington. 

She also taught college courses in Illinois, Missouri and South Dakota, and was a spiritual director in South Dakota and Illinois.
Sister Micki is survived by her siblings Mary Holland, Patty, Robert, William and John.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Anne (Monica Marie) McCarrick, 87, died Feb. 6 in Cincinnati.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, she was in her 70th year of religious life.

Sister Anne spent many years as an elementary school teacher in Chicago and in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio. Sister Anne was a specialist in Montessori education. She was also vice-chancellor for the Diocese of Columbus for eight years. In 1992, Pope Paul II awarded Sister Anne the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope) Medal for her service to the church of Columbus. 

Sister of the Living Word Joyce Roehl, 80, died March 9 in Arlington Heights.

Born in Hamtramck, Michigan, she entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in Wilmette in 1962 and was one of the founding members of the Sisters of the Living Word in 1975. 

She ministered as teacher or principal at St. Isaac Jogues, Niles, and at St. Jerome, St. Priscilla and St. Cornelius schools in Chicago. Once she retired from teaching and administration, Sister Joyce volunteered as the receptionist at the Living Word Center in Arlington Heights.

Jesuit Father Robert L. Bireley, 84, died March 14 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Father Bireley was best known for his prolific writing in the field of European history. He was a professor at Loyola University Chicago, where he taught and mentored students for more than 45 years. 

Born in Evanston, Father Bireley attended Loyola Academy, Wilmette, before entering the Society of Jesus as a novice in 1951. His Jesuit formation took him across the country and around the world.

Upon earning his doctorate in history in 1972, Father Bireley began working at Loyola University Chicago.

In 2017, Father Bireley moved to the St. Camillus senior Jesuit health care community in Wauwatosa, where he remained until his death. 

BVM Sister Patricia (Liberata) Potok, 83, died March 18 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1953 from St. Cornelius Parish. She professed first vows in 1956 and final vows in 1961.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Pat taught elementary school at Holy Cross and Blessed Sacrament in Chicago. She also taught in Iowa and Mississippi and ministered as a nurse for the BVM congregation in Dubuque.

She is survived by a sister, Phyllis Reale.

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Edith Louise Merhar, 88, died March 19 in Ohio.

Born in Cleveland, she entered the congregation in 1949.

Sister Edith Louise’s ministries brought her to five states and 44 years of teaching. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Elizabeth Seton High School, South Holland (1963-1964 and 1968-1969).

Claretian Father Richard A. Bartlett, 93, died April 1 at Presence Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Chicago, he made his religious profession as a Claretian missionary in 1943 and was ordained a priest in 1950.

He served as a pastor, associate pastor and campus minister in the United States and in the Claretian missions in Africa. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he was associate pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary (1966-1969), St. Francis of Assisi (1990-1992), St. Pancratius (1995-1997) and St. Paul (1999-2002). He was a resident of the Claretian community in Oak Park (2002-2004) before moving to Resurrection Life Center.

He is survived by his sister, Ann Bartlett

Adrian Dominican Sister Dorothy (Margaret Michaella) Folliard, 93, died April 1 in Adrian, Michigan. 

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

Sister Dorothy spent 43 years ministering in education, from elementary school to college, in Michigan, Illinois and Texas. She also served in her congregation’s leadership.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Joseph, Homewood (1946-1951); taught and was principal at St. Edmund, Oak Park (1951-1957); and was a theology professor at St. Mary of the Lake University/Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein (1991-1999). 

Adrian Dominican Sister Kathleen (Charles Mary) Donnelly, 96, died April 2 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, she was in the 79th year of her religious life.

She ministered in Michigan, Florida and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Matthew (1939-1943).

Sister Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Betty Jane Spencer. She is survived by a sister, Patricia Lechifflard.

Father John F. Krebs, 86, died on Feb. 28, his birthday. He was pastor emeritus of St. Bede Parish, Ingleside.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Mary of the Lake School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1957.

He was assistant pastor at St. Benedict (Irving Park Road) (1957-1964); St. Albert the Great, Burbank (1964-1968); Transfiguration, Wauconda (1968-1974); and Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein (1974-1979). 

He was pastor of St. Benedict Parish (1979-1992) and the associate pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo for a year before being named pastor of St. Bede (1993-2002). He was given the title of pastor emeritus when he retired.

Deacon George A. Lambert of Plainfield, 91, died March 13. He was ordained in 1975 and had served at St. Eulalia, Maywood, before retiring.

Deacon Lambert was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked for Argonne National Laboratory for 34 years.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa, and his children: Father Curtis Lambert, pastor of St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish, Prospect Heights; Paul Lambert; Judi Lambert; and Dan Lambert; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Sister of St. Francis of Dubuque Doris Marie Recker, 80, died Jan. 11.

She was born in Iowa and had recently celebrated 60 years in religious life.

She ministered as a teacher and as a hospital chaplain, and had assignments in Iowa and Minnesota as well as Illinois. 

She served at Mater Christi, North Riverside; St. Christopher, Midlothian; St. Elizabeth Hospital; Loyola Medical Center, Maywood; and Palos Community Hospital, Palos Heights; and she volunteered at St. Christopher School and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Christopher Parish in Midlothian, where she resided for 40 years.

She is survived by her siblings Phyllis Burget, Ellen Desbiens and Donald Ricken.

Divine Word Father Michael Bonner, 80, died Feb. 23 in Techny. He was a champion of the pro-life cause and served as a pastor in the Archdiocese of Chicago for a quarter of a century.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Francis de Sales School and Mendel Catholic High School before transferring to the Divine Word Brothers Candidate School in Techny.

After his ordination in 1966, he was sent to the Philippines where he served in parish and school ministries for 25 years. In 1991, Father Bonner returned to the United States to become pastor of St. Benedict the African Parish. Three years later, he was assigned to St. Bronislava, and in 2004, he was installed as pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Wheeling, where he served until he retired in 2016.

As a seminarian in Techny, Father Bonner taught seventh-grade religion at St. Joseph the Worker.

He is survived by two brothers, James and John Bonner.

Sister Mary Ernest Rothe, BVM, 90, died March 5 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in California, she entered the BVM congregation in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Ernest taught elementary school at Our Lady of Angels and Our Lady Help of Christians. She also ministered in Arizona, Missouri and California.

She is survived by siblings Ernest Rothe, Frank A. Rothe and Lorraine Schneider.

Providence Sister Martha Steidl, 92, died March 12 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

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

She ministered for 25 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.  In 1973, she joined the music faculty at Saint Mary of the Woods College.  

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1948-1950), and Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1966-1973).

She is survived by two brothers, Frank Steidl and Walter Steidl.

BVM Sister Joan (Joan Michael) Newhart, 89, died March 13 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Oak Park, she entered the BVM congregation in 1949 from St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Oak Park. She professed final vows in 1957.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Joan taught at the Immaculata and Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein. She served as Mundelein College’s director of academic computing and as coordinator for Loyola University Chicago’s computer center. She volunteered for many years as a congregational and high school computer consultant in the Chicago area as well as in Dubuque. She also taught secondary school in South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Colombia. 

She is survived by a brother, George Robert (Bob) Newhart, and sisters Pauline Qua and Virginia Brittain.

Father Robert J. Kash, 92, died Feb. 27. He was pastor emeritus of St. Fabian Parish in Bridgeview.

Born in Chicago, Father Kash attended St. Bruno School, 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. Joseph, Chicago Heights (1952-1962); St. Florian (1962-1963); St. Wenceslaus, (1963-1967); and St. Michael (South Shore Drive) (1967-1971). He was pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul (1971-1977).

Fr. Kash then was associate pastor of St. Pascal (1982-84) before being named pastor of St. Fabian (1984-1995). After retiring in 1995, Father Kash served as administrator of St. Denis and Our Lady of the Snows.

Deacon William Mages, 75, died Jan. 26. He was ordained in 1978 and served at St. Mary of the Woods Parish.

He is survived by his wife, Patti; and his children, Heidi and Gretchen Mages; three grandchildren; and his sisters, Dolores Bach, Kathleen Miller, Mary Pat Mages and Jeaniane Benton. 

Divine Word Brother Stephen Kerekes, 90, died Jan. 24 in Techny.
Born in South Bend, Indiana, he entered the Divine Word Seminary in New York in 1945. He entered the novitiate in Techny in 1950. After 10 years of seminary studies, he joined the Trappist order and was admitted to the cloistered life at Our Lady of Gethsemane Monastery in Kentucky. 

In 1964, he returned to the Society of the Divine Word as a brother candidate, worked in the Divine Word vineyards in New York and professed first vows for a third time.

He professed perpetual vows in 1968 and prepared for his first assignment in Papua New Guinea. After brief stops in the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan, he arrived in Papua New Guinea in November of that year.

During his time there, he managed and taught at St. Joseph Vocational School before becoming harbor master and manager of the Mission Supply Store in Alexishafen. He also served as postmaster and supervised the local radio station. He maintained communication with missionaries in the outer regions, coordinated weekly shipments and handled emergency requests.

In his spare time, he became a master clockmaker.

In 2002, Brother Stephen returned to the United States and was assigned to Divine Word Residence in Riverside, California. He moved to Techny in 2014.

Daughter of Charity Barbara (Richardine) Kauss, 76, died Feb. 3 in the Daughters of Charity Province of Congo, Africa, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident while being driven to the airport.

Born in Waukegan, Sister Barbara graduated from Holy Child High School in 1959 and joined the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1960 from Mother of God Church in Waukegan.  

Sister Barbara taught in Texas and Puerto Rico before being sent to what was then Zaire, which became the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997.

Sister Barbara served in many roles while on mission in the Congo including the oversight of three secondary schools in Bikoro, Kinshasa, and Mbandaka.  Sister Barbara’s final mission was in Tarime Mara, Tanzania.

Sister Barbara is survived by her brother, David Kauss.

Divine Word Father John “George” Bergin, 79, died Feb. 8 in Techny. He was an educator, counselor and missionary priest for 50 years.

Born in Wisconsin, he entered the Society of the Divine Word Seminary at East Troy in 1952 and professed first vows in 1958. After being ordained in 1967, Father Bergin was assigned to Divine Word’s seminary in East Troy, where he served as a teacher and dean of students for six years.

He also taught and served as a counselor, vocation director and youth minister in Massachusetts and worked for the Mission Office in Techny.

After decades of teaching and counseling, he returned to Techny in 2013 and remained active, saying Mass and hearing confessions at nearby parishes and convents. He also was the vice rector at the Divine Word Residence, a home to more than 60 priests, brothers and novices.
Father Bergin is survived by his brother, Divine Word Father James Bergin.

BVM Sister Isabel (Acarda) Miller, 96, died Feb. 17 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1939 and professed final vows in 1947.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Isabel taught at St. Pius, St. Callistus, St. Gertrude and St. Eulalia, Maywood. In retirement, she volunteered at St. Joseph Hospital and Cudahy Library at Loyola University, Chicago. She also taught in Rock Island, Illinois and in New York, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska and Mississippi.

She is survived by a brother, John Miller.

Father Lawrence M. Duris, 74, died unexpectedly on Feb. 19. He had served as pastor of St. Ailbe Parish since 2009.

Born in Chicago, Father Duris attended St. Anthony School, Cicero; St. Peter School, Skokie; Quigley Preparatory Seminary; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1969.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Ethelreda (1969-1971) and Holy Cross Parish (65th Street) (1971-76). He was administrator (1976-1980) and pastor (1980-1991) of St. Laurence Parish (Dorchester Avenue) and pastor of St. Philip Neri (1991-2009) before being named pastor of St. Ailbe. In addition, Father Duris served as dean of Vicariate VI (Mid-Southside City) from 1987 through 1995

For the past year and a half, Alyssa Mostyn, principal of St. Ailbe Catholic School, had the opportunity to know Father Duris.

“Father Larry was a gentle soul but so fiercely dedicated to helping those in his community,” said Mostyn. “He loved being in the black community and worked tirelessly to serve all.”

Mostyn added that Father Duris “affectionately called the local Jewel his ‘ministry center.’ In true Father Larry form, his grocery trips took much longer than the average person’s because of how many people he stopped to listen to, talk to, and minister to.”

“His dedication to the neighborhood was palpable. He never stopped inviting all, Catholic and non-Catholic, to everything St. Ailbe had to offer,” said Mostyn. “He was dedicated to Catholic education and saw the school as the primary way to spread the Word of God to young people.”

Father Duris took great joy in cooking for others, appreciated art and loved his dog, Max.

Visitation hours will be 9-11 a.m. on Feb. 28, followed by the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Ailbe Church.

Bishop Francis Kane will be the main celebrant of the funeral Mass, while Father Edward Upton will be the homilist. The final commendation will be delivered by Bishop Joseph Perry.

Interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre in Alsip, Ill. 

Father Duris is survived by a sister, Christine Cooper, and two brothers, James and David.

Sister of Christian Charity Mary Ann (Carol) Eultgen, 84, died Dec. 27 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in St. Louis, she entered the convent in 1947, and made first vows in 1951 and perpetual vows in 1957.

She taught at St. Mary, Riverdale (1951-1954); and St. Aloysius (1955-1956); as well as in other Illinois communities, in Iowa, Minnesota and Louisiana. She later worked as a pastoral minister in the St. Louis area.

After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September, she returned to Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette, where she died three months later.

Sister Lorraine Lawrence, a Religious of the Sacred Heart, died Jan. 24 in California. She was 100 years old.

Sister Lorraine was born in Libertyville and attended St. Joseph School there and Holy Child High School in Waukegan.

She studied at Barat College and earned a degree in medical technology at St. Therese Hospital in Waukegan. After working for several months at an Iowa hospital, she discerned a vocation to religious life.

She entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1938 and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science and a doctorate in chemistry.
She returned to Barat College to teach for five years. While there, she was featured in a 1954 Chicago Tribune article about her work as a ham radio operator at the college.

She began teaching in California in 1955, and, after more than 20 years, retired from teaching to serve the society in a number of roles.

Sister Lorraine is survived by her sister, Mary Neal, and her brother, John Lawrence.

Felician Sister Emilie Marie Sierakowski, 99, died Jan. 24 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, she entered the Felician Sisters in 1938 and pro-fessed her final vows in 1946. She ministered in elementary and high schools as a principal, music teacher and organist in Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

She served as a music teacher (1955-1972) and then as the principal (1972-1978) of St. Joseph High School. She later taught music at St. Turibius School (1978-2009).

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary (Rose Maureen) Hemmen, 81, died Jan. 24 in Adrian, Michigan.

orn in Detroit, she was in the 62nd year of her religious life.

Sister Mary ministered in Michigan and Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Laurence (1965-1967) and was principal of St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1970-1974).

Franciscan Sister of Mary Doris (Gwendolyn Sandra) Ashcraft, 82, died Jan. 26 in Missouri. 

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she became Catholic at the age of 12. She entered the Sisters of St. Mary in 1955 and she professed final vows in 1962. 

In 1975, she moved to St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, as sacristan and patient visitor. Sister Doris remained at St. Francis for 35 years as chaplain assistant, chaplain associate, pastoral mission advocate, patient advocate and spiritual mission advocate, until the hospital became a for-profit institution in 2008. 

Sister Doris is survived by a stepsister, Theresa J. Cippola.

Sister of St. Joseph Roseann Eck, 88, died Jan. 31.

She had been a member of the community for 71 years.

Sister Roseann taught at St. Margaret Mary; St. John Fisher; St. Mary, Riverside; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Melrose Park; St. Francis Xavier, LaGrange; St. Joseph Military Academy and Alexine Learning Center, LaGrange Park; and St. Leonard, Berwyn.

Deacon Richard Baum, 78, of LaGrange Park, died Jan. 23.

Deacon Baum was originally ordained for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1986. He served St. Anne Parish and at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary as associate director and then director of the diaconate formation program (2002-2005).

Deacon Baum also was an optics engineer with Bell & Howell and Singer-Link (a flight simulation company) and a project manager with Northrup and Motorola. After retirement, he was a substitute high school teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine “Skip” Baum; his children Joseph Baum and Mary-Elizabeth Beavers; and granddaughter Amanda Baum-Wagner.

Deacon Thomas McGorey, 87, died Jan. 29. He was ordained in 1979 and served at St. John of the Cross Parish, Western Springs. He also served as associate director of the Office of the Diaconate for 13 years.

Deacon McGorey grew up in Chicago, raised his family with his late wife, Mary Kay, in Bellwood and retired to Burr Ridge. He worked for 29 years at Illinois Bell.

He is survived by his children, Katie Watson, Margie DiGangi, Pattie Bomher and Thom McGorey; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Margaret McGorey.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Bernadette (Irene) Medrzyk, 97, died Nov. 30 in Des Plaines in the 79th year of her religious life.

Born in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1938 and professed her first vows in 1941. 

In 1943, she began her first of many teaching assignments at St. Michael (South Shore).

She also taught in Indiana and Texas and was one of three pioneers from the U.S. who began the parish school in Brisbane, Australia.

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. 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.

She also taught in Missouri, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Iowa.

Sister of St. Casimir Regina Sitkus, 92, died Jan. 6.

A native of Pennsylvania, Sister Regina entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1941 and made her final vows in 1949. 

Sister Regina taught and was principal in elementary schools in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Nativity BVM (1944-1947, 1962-1964); Providence of God (1947-1948); St. Bartholomew, Waukegan (1948-1950); All Saints (1957-1958); and St. Norbert, Northbrook (1958-1962). Most recently Sister Regina participated in the ministry of prayer (2009-2018) at the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Casimir and then at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

BVM Sister Mary Johnellen Garrity, 90, died Jan. 8 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1945, from St. Andrew Parish. She professed final vows in 1953.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Johnellen taught first grade at St. Charles, ninth grade at St. Mary High School, history at Immaculata High School, and in retirement, she taught part time at Madonna High School. She also taught in New York, Iowa and Kansas.

She is survived by her sister, Irene Schultz.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Mary Luke Liss, 70, died Jan. 11, in the 53rd year of her religious life. 

Born in the neighborhood of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on the Northwest Side, she attended Schurz High School before entering the community in 1965 and professed final vows in 1975. 

She taught at St. Hyacinth as well as at schools in Mount Prospect and in Indiana and Wisconsin, and she was principal at St. Emily School, Mount Prospect.

Sister of St. Joseph Lorraine (Clare Joseph) Ruh, 92, died Jan. 11.

Sister Lorraine had been in religious life for 77 years. She taught at St. Barbara, Brookfield; St. Mary, Riverside; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Melrose Park; St. Francis Xavier, LaGrange; St. John Fisher; St. Leonard, Berwyn; St. Attracta, Cicero; and St. Joseph Military Academy. She also worked in the business office at Bethlehem Center, LaGrange Park and as a switchboard operator/supervisor at the CSJ Center.

She is survived by her siblings John Ruh and Dorothy Stepanik.

Sister of St. Joseph Margaret (John Patrick) Halligan, 90, died Jan. 14.

She had been a member of the congregation for 70 years.

Sister Margaret taught at St. John Fisher; Divine Infant, Westchester; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Melrose Park; St. Joseph Academy and St. Francis Xavier, LaGrange; and St. Barbara, Brookfield, where she was also religious education coordinator, coordinator of pastoral care and pastoral associate.

She is survived by her sisters Irene Spahn, Jane Motycka and Catherine Stotts.

Father Eugene F. Durkin, 94, died at St. Patrick Residence in Naperville, Illinois, on Jan. 19. He was most recently the associate pastor of Holy Name Cathedral Parish. He retired in 1993.

Born in Chicago, Father Durkin attended Little Flower School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1949.

He served as the assistant pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes (1951-1963), St. Thomas the Apostle (1963-1967) and Holy Name Cathedral (1967-1976). He served as associate pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Park Ridge (1976-1982) and Holy Name Cathedral (1982-1993). After retiring in 1993, Father Durkin resided at Holy Name Cathedral until he moved to Presence Saint Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and then to St. Patrick Residence to be closer to his family.

He is survived by his sisters, Dolores Durkin and Rosemarie Cargie.

Deacon Russell F. Anderberg, 79, died Jan. 12.

Deacon Anderberg was owner and president of Mercury Press, Inc., Forest Park.

He served the Archdiocese of Chicago as a deacon for 16 years, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for three years and most recently the Archdiocese of Orlando. 

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children Cheryl Catalano, John Anderberg and Sandra Anderberg; grandchildren Christopher, Michael, Erin, Patrick, Sarah, Ellen, Mitchell and Isabella; great-grandchildren Thomas, Emma, Sean, Nora, Ryan and William; and siblings Peter and George Anderberg and Donna Macleary.

Deacon Peter Meehan, 80, died Jan. 15. He was ordained in 1991 and served at St. Martha Parish, Morton Grove.

He attended St. Nicholas School and St. George High School, both in Evanston.

He was active in youth sports, coaching a total of 32 teams that his children played on. As a deacon, he presided at baptisms, weddings and funerals, preached homilies, taught pre-Cana classes and brought Communion to the sick.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, and children Peter Meehan, Patrick Meehan, Joseph Meehan, Nancy Dennis, Cathleen Thannert and Kevin Meehan and 19 grandchildren. He also is survived by his brothers, Thomas and Michael Meehan.

Viatorian Father Rev. John (Jack) E. Linnan, 83, died Jan. 15 at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights.  

Born in Springfield, Father Linnan made his first vows in 1952 and final vows in 1955. He was ordained a priest in 1961 in Louvain, Belgium.

He taught at seminaries in Washington, D.C., and ministered in Nevada before moving to Arlington Heights to serve as assistant provincial (1974-1979). In 1979, he became an associate professor of theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and in 1981 was appointed as the third president of CTU. He held that position until 1987. After a sabbatical year, he returned to CTU and continued to be a member of the faculty until 2001. 

In 2011, he moved to the retirement residence at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights. 

Mercy Sister Barbara Heneghan, 78, died Dec. 1.

Raised on the West Side, she was educated by Sisters of Mercy at Resurrection Grade School and Siena High School. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1957.

Sister Barbara taught at St. Catherine of Siena, Oak Park; Precious Blood; St. Mary of the Lake; and St. Mary, Lake Forest. In 1970, she was named curriculum director at Siena High School. In 1977, Sister Barbara was responsible for moving Siena High School to a new location, where it was called Austin Career Center. She remained teacher/director there until 1990. When it closed, Sister Barbara taught at St. Patrick High School and was a member of the professional staff at Maryville Parenting Teen Center.

After retiring from teaching, Sister Barbara served as a patient advocate at Mercy Hospital; a member of the support staff at McAuley Manor, Aurora, Illinois; and a volunteer at St. Angela School.

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).

BVM Sister Mary Kay (Meda) Dum, 84, died Nov. 8 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

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

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Kay taught at St. Gertrude. She also ministered in Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Iowa, North Carolina and Florida.

She is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Kennington, and brothers William and Michael Dum.

Adrian Dominican Sister Romona (Jane Lucian) Nowak, 72, died Nov. 8 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, Sister Romona graduated from Aquinas Dominican High School. She was in her 51st year of religious life.

Sister Romona ministered in education and as a chaplain and pastoral care associate in Illinois, California, Indiana and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita School (1967-1972) and Aquinas High School (1972-1976); was religious education director at St. Ann, Lansing (1981-1984); and taught at St. Ailbe (1986).

She is survived by her brother, Robert Nowak.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Margaret (Terza) Muellenmeister, 93, died Nov. 14, in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, Sister Margaret made her first religious profession in 1946 and her final profession in 1949. She taught, tutored, served as culinary artist, ministered as a parish visitor and served on support staff. She served in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Wyoming, Wisconsin, New York, South Dakota, Oregon and Montana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Margaret taught at Visitation (1949-1952) and served as a culinary artist at Trinity High School, River Forest (1952-1954).

Adrian Dominican Sister Jude Van Baalen, 78, died Nov. 14 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 59th year of her religious life.

Sister Jude ministered in Michigan, Illinois, North Dakota, Minnesota and British Columbia. She served in education and a variety of pastoral ministries.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1963-1968).

Sister Jude is survived by brothers Paul and Marc Van Baalen and sisters Ann Bertolini and Adrian Dominican Sister Susan Van Baalen.

Father Joseph Pastick, 94, died Oct. 19 at Southern Pines Healthcare Center, New Port Richey, Florida. Father Pastick’s last assignment in the Archdiocese of Chicago was as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Wayside Parish, Arlington Heights. 

Father Pastick was born in Chicago and attended St. Andrew School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein before being ordained in 1949. 

He was assistant pastor at St. Felicitas (1949-1956); Annunciation (Wabansia Avenue) (1956-1961); St. Mary, Buffalo Grove (1961-1964); St. George, Tinley Park (1964-1969); and St. Richard (1969-1975). He served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Humility, Beach Park; St. Emily, Mount Prospect (1980-1987) and at Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights (1987-1993).

In 1993, he retired from active ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago and relocated to Florida, where he assisted at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, New Port Richey. He retired as sacramental minister in 2011, when he moved to Springhill, Florida. 

He is survived by his brother, Jerry Pastick.

Father Donald Lund, 74, died Oct. 29 at Woods Crossing in Brodhead, Wisconsin. Father Lund had lived near his family in Davis, Wisconsin, since his retirement in 2010. 

Born in Chicago, Father Lund attended Our Lady of Grace School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1969. 

Father Lund served as assistant pastor at St. Mark Parish (1969-1976) and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Streamwood (1976-1982). He continued his ministry as associate pastor at St. Philomena Parish on Cortland Avenue (1982-1983) and as pastor at Good Shepherd (1983-2003). Later, Father Lund served as associate pastor at St. Joseph, Round Lake (2003-2010), and was named pastor emeritus of Good Shepherd in 2010.

He is survived by his brothers John, Robert, James, Kenneth and Joseph and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Deacon John Nolan, 77, died Oct. 25. He was ordained in 1985 and served at St. Julian Eymard Parish. Elk Grove Village.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; children Michael Nolan, Julie Hake and Kevin Nolan; eight grandchildren; and his brothers, Bill and Jim Nolan.

Sister of Christian Charity Renee (Hester) Miller, 101, died Sept. 20 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in Evanston, she attended Mallinckrodt High School. A few months before graduation she asked to enter the convent, and she entered the candidacy 1935. She made her first vows in 1938 and began teaching in Iowa. She later taught at St. Aloysius (1951-1964) and St. Isaac Jogues, Niles (1967-1969).

In 1971, Sister Renee returned to the motherhouse in Wilmette where she served as sacristan of the chapel. In 1978, she moved to St. Margaret Mary Convent and served as housekeeper and minister of Communion. A year as a teacher’s aide at St. Teresa School in Chicago followed.  

Sister Renee’s next assignment (1982-1987) was to St. Theresa Convent in Palatine, where she was church sacristan, seamstress and a visitor to the sick. In 1987, Sister Renee moved to Sacred Heart Convent, where she again served as sacristan and helped with the driving.

A marked change in Sister Renee’s ministry began in 1994, when she moved to Josephinum Convent in Chicago; she spent one year as a volunteer at a local hospital. In 1995, Sister Renee took up pastoral ministry at Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette. In 2001, she retired from active ministry, but continued helping with light duties.

Sister of Christian Charity Myra (Evelyn) Beltz, 96, died Oct. 11 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in Chicago, Sister Myra attended St. Aloysius School and Josephinum High School before entering the novitiate of the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1940.

She ministered as a teacher and school principal in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Louisiana, as well as Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Aloysius (1960-1966). She moved to Josephinum Convent in 2000 and assisted with the literacy program for a year. In 2001 she was transferred to Sacred Heart Convent.  

Maryknoll Father Sigmund S. Jamroz died Oct. 19 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. He was 79 years old and a Maryknoll priest for 51 years.

Born in Poland, Father Jamroz moved to Chicago with his family as a child and attended Holy Trinity grade school and high school. 

Father Jamroz professed his perpetual oath in 1965 and was ordained in 1966. Following ordination, he was assigned to Bolivia, where he spent his entire missionary career.

Father Jamroz retired during 2003 but remained in Bolivia to continue his ministry.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Josette Pahl, 98, died Oct. 18 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Minneapolis, she made her first religious profession in 1938 and her final profession in 1941. She ministered in Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Giles, Oak Park (1938-1949), and St. Jarlath (1958-1961). 

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Mary Ellen Dow, 58, died Oct. 4 in Cincinnati.

Born and raised in Chicago, Sister Mary Ellen attended St. Peter Canisius School and Notre Dame High School.  She entered the community in 1966 and made her final vows in 1972.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Robert Bellarmine and Notre Dame High School. From 1997–2014, she served as director of campus ministry at two colleges in Massachusetts and at Trinity Washington University.    

Sister Mary Ellen is survived by her sister, Cathy A. Dow-Royer.

Divine Word Father Vincent Burke, 83, died Sept. 21 in Techny.

Born in Massachusetts, Father Burke started studying at the Divine Seminary in 1947. He professed first vows in 1953 and was ordained a priest in Techny in 1961.
He ministered for more than 50 years in Ghana.

“During his many years in Ghana, since he worked mostly in educational institutions, he produced excellent professionals: teachers, priests, ministers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, journalists and many others who work in different parts of the world,” said Divine Word Father Edward Tetteh, who knew Father Burke when Tetteh was growing up in Ghana.

He returned to the United States for the last time in 2011 at age 77. Five years later, in recognition of his service to the Ghanaian people, President John Dramani Mahama bestowed the honor of Office of the Order of Volta upon him.

He is survived by two brothers, Walter and Kevin Burke.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Marcella (Eleonore) Falat, 93, died Sept. 15.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1946, at 22 years old, and professed final vows in 1954. 

She spent 50 years serving as a teacher or principal in Chicago area schools including Holy Trinity, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Patricia, St. Ladislaus, St. Emily, St. John the Baptist and St. Mary of Nazareth. She also spent three years at St. Andrew the Apostle School in Texas. Additionally, she served as a provincial councilor and director of ministry.

Deacon James F. Gaughan, 62, died Oct. 11 at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington. He was ordained in 2001 at served at St. Edna Parish.

Born in Evanston, Deacon Gaughan was a lifelong Cubs fan.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children Bobby and Scott Gaughan and Tracy Ellegood; his mother, Virginia; and his siblings Kathy Krakowski, Eileen Mattison and Tommy Gaughan.

Father Arthur J. Olsen, 53, died unexpectedly on Oct. 16 at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niles, where he was recovering from surgery. He was most recently the associate pastor of St. Emily Parish, Mount Prospect. 

Born in New Jersey, Father Olsen moved to the Chicago area as a child and attended Divine Infant Jesus School in Westchester and Proviso West High School in Hillside. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 1986. He later attended the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and was ordained in 1999.

He served as associate pastor of St. John Brebeuf, Niles (1999-2004); St. Mary, Lake Forest (2004-2007); St. Hilary (2007-2014); and St. Emily, Mount Prospect (2014-2017).

Father Olsen is survived by his father, Arthur Sr., and siblings Lori Baker and Erik, John and Chris Olsen.

Father Joseph Chen-Sheng Lee (Ly), 89, died at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niles on Aug. 20.

Father Lee had been associate pastor at St. Ferdinand Parish until 1992 and a resident at St. James Parish (Fullerton Avenue) until he retired in 1998.

Father Lee was born in the Anguo District of China and attended school there before attending seminary in Hong Kong and Montreal. He was ordained in Montreal in 1955 for the Diocese of Anguo.

However, he was unable to return to China. He earned a canon law degree at the Ottawa University in Canada and did post-graduate studies at Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University. He resided at St. Dionysius Parish, Cicero (1957-1958), St. Edward Parish (1958-1974) and St. Rosalie Parish, Harwood Heights (1974-1979). He was associate pastor at St. Ferdinand 1979-1992) and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1985.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Loretto Wolff, 94, died Oct. 3 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Nebraska, Sister Loretto made her first religious profession in 1945 and her final profession in 1948. 

She was a teacher, principal, pastoral minister, parish administrator, librarian and volunteer. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Loretto taught at St. Barnabas (1947-1953) and St. Luke, River Forest (1963-1967). 

She is survived by a sister, Dominican Sister Mary Wolff; and three brothers, John Wolff, Benedictine Abbot Theodore Wolff and F. Patrick Wolff.

Brother George Gregory Lindeman, a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, died Sept. 30. He was 89.

Brother George Gregory was a longtime educator and administrator at Leo, St. Laurence and Brother Rice High Schools and many others throughout the U.S. and Canada.

He is survived by 14 nieces and nephews.

Providence Sister Agnes Clare (Phyllis Marie) Buckley, 80, died on Sept. 23 in Boston. 

Born in Massachusetts, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1956 and professed final vows in 1963. 

She ministered in education for 42 years in schools in Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts.  

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Sorrows (1960-1961) and St. Agnes (1961-1963).

Sister Agnes Clare was an early recipient of a transplanted heart and the first woman undergoing this procedure in 1989. After her recovery, she continued to give herself energetically to ministry, teaching fifth grade for another 12 years and serving as a parish and school volunteer for seven years. She was the longest living heart transplant recipient at 28 years. 

Sister Agnes Clare is survived by her brother, James, and her sister, Catherine.

Mercy Sister Sharon (Margaret) Hamm, 87, died Sept. 19.

Born in Milwaukee, she entered Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines in 1948.

For over 50 years, Sister Sharon, whom some may remember as Sister Mary Misael, served in elementary schools in the dioceses of Davenport, Iowa; Rockford, Illinois; and Madison, Wisconsin; as well as the Archdiocese of Chicago. In the archdiocese, she taught in Des Plaines, Chicago, Libertyville, McHenry and Park Ridge, including 10 years at St. Stephen in Des Plaines and 21 years at St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge.

After retiring from teaching, Sister Sharon went back to St. Stephen, where she served as a librarian and then as a tutor. 

Franciscan Sister of Chicago M. Alacoque (Sophie) Czartoryski, 94, died Sept. 18.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was drawn to religious life by the sisters at St. Casimir School there. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago convent in 1931 at 15.

Two years later, after graduating high school, she entered the novitiate. She made her final vows in 1946.

She ministered for five years in the motherhouse and at St. Joseph Home for the Aged, which was attached to the convent, working as director of the residents; dining room and in the kitchen, garden, laundry and chapel. 

She taught at Five Holy Martyrs (1946-1949) and St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr (1949-1952). 

After getting a degree in home economics, she taught sewing and home nursing for 17 years at Madonna High School. Then, after completing a program for dietitians, she ministered as a hospital dietitian in South Dakota and Ohio. She returned to Madonna High School in 1984 and served as maintenance supervisor for a year.

After assignments in Ohio and Poland, she returned to Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont for a sabbatical year and ended up staying and working in several ministries. She held the position of minister of hospitality until 2014.

In 2011, she was the first recipient of the Franciscan Weaver Award, which honors a Franciscan Sister of Chicago who embodies the Franciscan charism and shows Franciscan joy in her daily life. 

Sister of St. Joseph Bonaventure Hill, 103, died Sept. 17.

Sister Bonaventure entered religious life in 1935 and was a teacher or principal for 41 years, serving at St. Barbara, Brookfield; St. Attracta, Cicero; St. Anthony; St. Margaret Mary; St. Hugh, Lyons; St. Leonard, Berwyn; and St. Cletus and St. Francis Xavier, LaGrange. 

She was also hostess at the Christian Life Center and archivist for her congregation.

Deacon Peter Morrissey, 81, died Sept. 23. He was ordained in 2001 and served at St. Leonard Parish, Berwyn.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Bernie; and his brother, Eugene.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Rita (Michael Sean) McSweeney, 78, died Sept. 7 in in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Detroit, she was in the 59th year of her religious life.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1959-1962); taught (1967-1972) and was principal (1974-1981) at Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor; taught at St. Albert the Great, Burbank (1972-1974); was principal at St. Clare of Montefalco (1981-1983); and taught at St. Cajetan (1983-1990). She then ministered as a program director for the elderly at Marillac House Social Center (1991-2017).

Providence Sister Richard (Dorothy Ann) Bussing, 95, died Sept. 5 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1940 and professed final vows in 1948. During her 77 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education and as a caregiver and pastoral associate in Illinois, North Carolina, California, Texas, Indiana and Montana.  

She was skilled in many crafts and made many Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls through the years. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Andrew (1944-1948), St. Sylvester (1951-1955) and St. Mel (1965-1966). 

Sister Richard is survived by two brothers, Sylvester and Jerome Bussing.

Mercy Sister Kathleen (Sheila Marie) Moriarty, 81, died died of pneumonia Aug. 20 at Mercy Circle.

Born in Chicago, she was the oldest of 10 children. She was taught by Sisters of Mercy at St. Joachim School and Mercy High School in Chicago. She entered the convent in 1954, at 18.

She began her ministry teaching first grade at schools in Chicago and Libertyville, as well as in other Illinois and Wisconsin communities.

She eventually served as principal at St. Joan of Arc, Skokie, and St. Joachim. She ministered the longest at Mother McAuley High School, where she taught math from 1978 to 1983. After being plagued with arthritis, she underwent a knuckle-replacement surgery. Because it became too hard to hold the chalk and teach, she earned a counseling degree. She ministered at Mother McAuley as a counselor for an additional 22 years, until 2006. 

Deacon Morris Bohannon, 92, died on Sept. 3. He was ordained in 1985 and had served at St. Clotilde Parish.

He served for 29 years in the U.S. Army and worked for 26 years for the U.S. Postal Service in Chicago, overseeing the administration of postal systems in 13 states.

He was retired from ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago and had been living in St. Louis.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ida; his daughter, Victoria; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a sister.

Deacon Terry Dineen, 79, died Aug. 26. He was ordained in 1978 and had served 18 years at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Palatine.

He also ministered at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

Dineen was born in Milwaukee and worked for International Paper and Hudson Pulp & Paper.

His wife, Judith, predeceased him; he is survived by his children, Amy Close and Julie, Paul and Pete Dineen; and 11 grandchildren.

Adrian Dominican Sister Susanne (Elizabeth) Hofweber, 97, died Aug. 27 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Detroit, she was in her 80th year of religious life. She ministered in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. She also was executive director of the National Conference Diocesan DRE-CCD for six years, and for two years was the national program director for St. Vincent Center of Apostolic Development, both located in Washington, D.C. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kilian (1938-1939), St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1939-1940) and St. Carthage (1940-1941).

Sister Susanne is survived by her sister, Marian Zeleznik, and her brother, August J. (Jack) Hofweber.