Adrian Dominican Sister Barbara J. (James Denise) Carroll, 91, died April 7 in Adrian, Michigan.

Sister Barbara was born in Detroit, she was in the 74th year of her religious life.

Sister Barbara ministered in education, as a religious education director and pastoral minister and as an artist. She served in Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kilian (1951-1959) and Santa Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (1965-1967).

She is survived by a brother, John Carroll.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Catherine (Mary Cronan) Perkins, 93, died April 16 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Oak Park, Sister Mary Catherine made her first religious profession in 1954 and her perpetual profession in 1957. She taught French and sometimes Spanish, served as in administration, ministered in adult faith formation for 14 years and volunteered in faith groups in the District of Columbia, Illinois, Connecticut, Iowa, Wisconsin and Oregon.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Catherine taught at Visitation High School (1955-1957) and volunteered at the Church of the Holy Spirit Parish, Schaumburg (2007-2013).

She is survived by a sister, Patricia Perkins-Lundeen.

Providence Sister Patricia (Anna Marie) Geis, 88, died in Terre Haute, Indiana, on April 17. 

Born in Chicago, Sister Patty entered the Sisters of Providence in 1952 and professed final vows in 1960. She taught in Indiana, Illinois, California and North Dakota. After retiring from teaching in 2005, she served as an adult literacy tutor for the School on Wheels in the Chicago suburbs for another 13 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1972-1973); St. Agnes (1973-1976); Our Lady of Hope, Rosemont (1979-1980); St. Cornelius (1980-1981); Santa Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (2000-2001) and Divine Savior, Norridge (2004-2005).

She also served as director of St. Columbkille Day Nursery (1981-1983) and ministered at Mount St. Joseph, Lake Zurich (1999-2000).

Sister Patty is survived by two sisters, Mary A. Rachupka and Rosemary Schiefer.

Sister of St. Joseph Laurina Kahne, 89, died April 19.

Born in Chicago, Sister Laurina was in her 70th year of religious life.

She taught elementary school and high school for 26 years at Our Lady of Bethlehem, La Grange Park; St. Anthony; St. Cletus, La Grange; St. Francis Xavier, La Grange; St. Margaret Mary; St. Mary, Riverside; St. Victor, Calumet City; and St. Paul High School.

She also worked in Hispanic Ministry at St. Cletus, La Grange, and in the Diocese of Joliet. She is survived by her sisters Joyce Rodriguez and Rita Mischler.

Sister of St. Joseph Mary Peter McGinty, 98, died April 20.

Born in Chicago, she was in her 75th year of religious life.

She earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee. According to information published on her congregation’s website, she was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in theology from an American university.

She taught at Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park; Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest; Marquette University, Milwaukee; the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary; Loyola University Chicago; St. Francis Xavier School, La Grange; St. Cletus School, La Grange; St. John Fisher School; and St. Leonard School, Berwyn.

Viatorian Father John M. Palmer, 81, died April 2 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

Born in Nova Scotia, he entered the novitiate in the United States in 1965. He made his first religious profession in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1971.

He earned a master’s degree in music at Northwestern University, Evanston; a performance diploma for organ at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto; and a licentiate in piano and a fellowship in organ from Trinity College of Music in London. He also studied with Jean Langlais in Paris.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he was director of music at Christ the King Parish and St. Viator Parish (1971-1972). He also was a music professor at Benedictine University in Lisle for more than 30 years, and did weekend sacramental ministry in the Diocese of Joliet.

In 2022, Father Palmer moved to the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights.

In addition to teaching and doing parish work, Father Palmer gave numerous organ recitals in Europe, Canada and the United States, and served as an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Leonius Skaar, 85, died April 3 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Minneapolis, Sister Leonius made her first profession in 1957 and her perpetual profession in 1960.

She was a teacher, principal, diocesan school administrator, catechetical director and special education director in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Leonius taught at St. Cajetan (1958-1963); St. Patrick, Lemont (1963-1966); and Visitation (1966-1969), where she also served as catechetical director.

She is survived by a sister, Karen Kenny.

Servite Father Conrad M. (William) Borntrager, 88, died April 10.

Born in Chicago, he entered the Servite Order in Hillside and professed solemn vows in 1957. Father Borntrager was ordained a priest in 1960 and served in various educational and parish ministries in the Chicago area, including as associate pastor of his home parish, Our Lady of Sorrows. He later resided at Annunciata Parish for many years while serving as archivist and historian for the Servite Order.

Adrian Dominican Sister Margaret Mary (Agnes Carol) McGill, 97, died Jan. 27 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, she was in the 78th year of her religious life.

She ministered in elementary and secondary education, as a college professor and department head, with the ministry of education and culture in Hungary, and as a paralegal.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Good Counsel (1946-1948).

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia (Jean Edmund) Downey, 84, died Jan. 28 in Adrian, Michigan.

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

Sister Patricia ministered in elementary and secondary education and educational administration in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was president of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette (1988-1995).

She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2010.

She is survived by a brother, Edmund Downey.

Adrian Dominican Sister John Norton (Catherine) Barrett, baptized Catherine Barrett, 98, died Feb. 7 in Adrian, Michigan.

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

Sister John Norton ministered in elementary and secondary education for almost 68 years in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2016.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary Mount Carmel (1952-1953) and St. Kilian (1953-1957).

Divine Word Father Derek Simons, 86, died at Techny on March 2.

Father Simons, an award-winning television producer and civil rights champion, used communication and video to promote dialogue among people of different cultural, religious and racial backgrounds.

Born in Swansea, Wales, in 1937 and raised in London, Father Simons served two years in the British Royal Air Force, studied law, worked in broadcasting at the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation in Wellington, and in advertising in Sydney.

Baptized Anglican, he converted to Catholicism after an unlikely encounter. As a young professional, he met Catholics at a party in New Zealand. He then began reading the works of Graham Greene and Cardinal John Henry Newman, accepted an invitation to a Good Friday service and then chose Catholicism.

He entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1964 and professed vows in 1966 in Roscommon, Ireland. Ordained to the priesthood in 1970, Father Simons was employed by the Archdiocese of Chicago as a producer-writer with the Catholic Television Network of Chicago. He produced more than 200 television and audiovisual programs for priests and parishes.

He also served as a creative consultant with Paulist Productions in Hollywood, California, on the Insight television series and after-school specials.

In the 1980s, Father Simons founded and served as executive producer of Ethnic Communications Outlet/Chicago (ECO), a creative production house devoted to the empowerment of various ethnic groups. Through his work with ECO, he collaborated with many notable professionals, including singer Marilyn McCoo, model Beverly Johnson, theologian Martin Marty, actress Helen Hayes and entertainer Steve Allen.

In addition to his work with ECO, he served as creative director for World Alive, a multimedia exhibit about missions at Divine Word International, which later became Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center.

The quality of his work continued to be noticed in the 1990s and beyond. In 1996, Father Simons received the Silver Dome Award by the Illinois Broadcasters Association and was tapped by ABC News/Nightline as part of a national resource team. He appeared on Nightline with Ted Koppel and co-hosted and produced “The Race Question” radio series on Chicago’s WLIT-FM.

In 2001, Father Simons established Angels Studio, an independent production house that developed and supported programs and resources to promote ethnic equality and understanding.

He also helped to found Catholic Schools Opposing Racism, a student/teacher organization that offered workshops and educational materials to more than 300 schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Ever-evolving projects continued into the new millennium. He launched the annual JustStories Festival. Begun in 2002, JustStories highlighted storytellers dedicated to social justice.

In 2010, Father Simons was awarded an Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network for his service to the arts and community of professional storytelling. In 2014, he moved to Techny and continued his communication ministry.

In addition to his work in communication, Father Simons also served as a priest in two of Chicago’s oldest African American parishes, St. Elizabeth and St. Anselm, now merged into Our Lady of Africa.

Father Simons held a master’s degree in film from Columbia College in Chicago.

Adrian Dominican Sister Paul James (Lois Marie) Villemure, 94, died March 11 in Adrian, Michigan.

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

She ministered in education in Puerto Rico, Illinois and Florida. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2013.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Regina Dominican High School.

She is survived by brothers Joseph, Matthew, Thomas and Peter.

Deacon Willie Foggie Jr., 85, died Feb. 12 in North Carolina. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1986 and excardinated to the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2002.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Deacon Foggie served at St. Charles Lwanga, St. Ailbe and Holy Angels parishes.

His son Michael A. Foggie Sr. was ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2020.

In addition to Michael Foggie Sr., he is survived by his children Margaret Foggie Kimber, Jacqueline M. Thompson, Christine Brevard, Kenneth L. Foggie Sr., Edward W. Foggie Sr., Martin J. Foggie, Willie Foggie III and Malcolm J. Foggie; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Resurrection Sister Laura Swedowski, 92, died Feb. 10 at Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Laura entered the community in 1948 and professed vows in 1950.

Sister Laura spent 58 years as a teacher in elementary schools. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Casimir (1951-1952), St. Thecla (1956-1960), St. Bede (1964-1966) and Queen of the Rosary (1967-1978). She also taught in Indiana and Florida.

In 1996, she retired as a full-time teacher and served as a substitute teacher at St. Monica, St. Julianna, Our Lady of Ransom, Immaculate Conception (Talcott Avenue), and St. Ladislaus. During this time, she also served as the sacristan in the chapel of the provincial home of the Sisters of the Resurrection.

Marianist Father Francis Walter Schorp, 91, died Feb. 19 in San Antonio.

Born in Texas, Father Schorp entered the Society of Mary in 1951 after attending St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. He professed first vows in 1952 and final vows in 1958. As a scholastic, he taught at high schools, including St. Michael in Chicago.

He began seminary studies in 1960 in Fribourg, Switzerland, and was ordained there in 1964. After short teaching assignments in Texas and St. Louis and several years of graduate studies, he joined the faculty at St. Mary’s University in 1973. He lived and ministered there for the rest of his life.

Felician Sister Joanita Marie Krieter, 79, died Feb. 26 in Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Born in Evanston, she attended St. Gertrude School, Franklin Park; and Trinity High School, Oak Park; and was a graduate of Rosary College, now Dominican University, in River Forest. She entered the Felician Sisters in 1976 and professed her final vows in 1985. 

Sister Joanita Marie ministered as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee and at St. Mary Home in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. For almost 30 years, she served as an activity aide in the Felician Sisters Care Center in Chicago.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Eileen (Marillac) Scully, 95, died March 1, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Oak Park, Sister Mary Eileen made her first religious profession in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She was a teacher, guidance counselor and principal, and served as councilor for the Northwest Province of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and was a program manager and senior service provider for the visually challenged. Sister Mary Eileen served in Minnesota, Nebraska, Alabama and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Eileen served as guidance counselor at Trinity High School, River Forest (1982-1986), and at Holy Trinity High School (1986-2000). She ministered at Blind Service Association, Chicago, as program manager (2001-2008), and with the senior services for the visually challenged (2001-2012).

She is survived by a brother, Charles Scully.

Dominican Father Jon Alexander, 82, died March 3 in Chicago.

Born in Pennsylvania, Father Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree in history and education from Gettysburg College and a doctorate in history from Temple University before entering the Harvard University Divinity School. There he encountered Dominican Father Thomas O’Meara, who was instrumental in bringing Father Alexander into the Catholic Church, and, after earning a master’s degree from Harvard, into the Dominican Order.

Father Alexander taught history, religious studies and American studies in Iowa and Rhode Island before being ordained a priest in 1986. He served in Newman Centers and campus ministry and as a parish priest in New Mexico and Minnesota. From 1998 to 2014, he taught history and religious studies at Providence College in Rhode Island.

After two more years in New Mexico and a year in Minnesota, he moved to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago due to declining health.

Providence Sister Rosemary (Rose Cecile) Borntrager, 90, died March 6 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Jarlath and Our Lady of Sorrows schools and Providence High School before entering the Sisters of Providence in 1950. She made final vows in 1958. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degrees in fine art and in educational administration.

She taught and was a school principal and diocesan school administrator in schools in Indiana; Illinois; Washington, D.C.; Missouri and California. After retiring from education, she served in congregation archives and as general secretary of the congregation. Retiring from that position in 2006, she volunteered both in the business office and medical records of Providence Health Care for another six years, before volunteering her services at Linden Leaf Gifts and designing several Christmas Cards that were sold there. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught and was assistant principal at Marywood, Evanston (1966-1970).

Sister Rosemary is survived by her brother, Servite Father Conrad Borntrager.