Father Paul F. Rosemeyer, 96, died April 20. He was pastor emeritus of St. Mary Parish, Des Plaines.

Born in La Grange, he attended St. Francis Xavier School in La Grange, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1952.

He was assistant pastor of St. Columbanus Parish and pastor of St. Ambrose, St. Basil and St. Mary, Des Plaines, where he served for 15 years before he retired in 1996.

Msgr. Richard M. Zborowski met Father Rosemeyer at St. Therese Catholic Church in Palatine 20 years ago. When Rosemeyer’s health started to decline, Zborowski took care of him. “He was like my father,” said Zborowski as he remembered his friend, a man of few words nonetheless very holy and well educated. “He was an excellent priest,” added Zborowski.

Deacon Charles W. Tipperreiter, 79, died April 25. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Fabian in Bridgeview.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet; his daughter, Debbie Kandefer; three grandchildren; and his brother, Bill Tipperreiter.

School Sister of St. Francis Ruth Marie (M. Seraphica) Holzhauer, 100, died March 23 in Milwaukee.

Born in Milwaukee, she was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1938 and made her final vows in 1946.

Beginning in 1942, Sister Ruth Marie ministered in Illinois, New York and Wisconsin for more than eight decades.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Philomena School (1942-1948), and at Alvernia High School (1948-1951).

In her retirement, Sister Ruth Marie served as a driver at St. Joseph Convent Motherhouse in Milwaukee (1997-2003). She served in the ministry of prayer and presence at St. Joseph Convent (2003-2007) and at Sacred Heart from 2007 until the time of her death. 

Sister Ruth Marie is survived by two brothers, Charles and Ronald Holzhauer, and her sister, Rosemary Ries.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Suzanne Schuman, 92, died March 23 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Suzanne made her first religious profession in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She was a teacher and principal and she served in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Alabama, California, Iowa and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Suzanne taught at St. Barnabas (1983-2009), taught religious education at St. Barnabas Parish (2009-2018) and volunteered as a tutor at Visitation School (2009-2018).

She is survived by two sisters, Marian Mullen and Fran Clausius.

Sister of St. Casimir Regina Marie Dubickas, 75, died March 26.

Sister Regina was born in a refugee camp in Schleswig, Germany, after her parents left Lithuania. As a child, she immigrated to the U.S. with her family, who settled in East St. Louis. She made her first profession of vows in 1967 and her perpetual vows in 1972.

Sister Regina ministered in Illinois for 54 years as a teacher, director of formation, psychologist and congregational leader.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Regina taught at Immaculate Conception School (44th Street, 1967-1968), Nativity BVM School (1968-1970) and Providence of God School (1970-1973), and she was a guidance counselor at Maria High School (1978-1979). She was formation director for the community from 1978 to 1989. She ministered as a psychologist at Michael Reese Hospital, as well as in private practice, from 1994 to 2006.

In 1998, Sister Regina was elected to congregational leadership, where she served first as general councilor (1998-2003), then as assistant general superior (2003-2013), and, from 2013 until her death, as general superior.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Jane (Querin) Herlik, 91, died April 4 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Mary Jane made her first religious profession in 1950, and her perpetual profession in 1953. She taught and was a coprincipal, and served in pastoral ministry and HIV/AIDS ministry.

She noticed in the early 1980s that medical personnel and clergy were afraid to enter hospital rooms of those dying of AIDS, so she responded to their needs, saying, “I felt I was being called to minister to those dying with AIDS,” according to an article in the Tampa Bay Times. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Jane taught at Visitation (1950-1955) and Trinity High School, River Forest (1964-1969, 1973-1978).

She is survived by a sister, Rosalyn Simonar, and a brother, Querin “Quin” Herlik.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Arturo Cranston, 91, died April 10 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Washington, D.C., Sister Arturo made her first religious profession in 1956, and her perpetual profession in 1959. She taught music for 24 years and then studied recreation and natural resources and combined all her passions as director of Camp WeHaKee in Winter, Wisconsin, for 24 years, followed by three years of consulting. Sister Arturo dedicated herself to building up the physical camp and developing young women who were confident and compassionate.

She served in Illinois, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Arturo taught at St. Cajetan (1956-1958) and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1975-1982).

She is survived by a brother, James “Ray” Cranston.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Dolores Fisher, 93, of Bartlett, died April 12.

Born in Chicago, she entered her religious community in 1946.

She was a teacher, principal and special education teacher. She served at St. Mary of Perpetual Help, St. Roman, Queen of the Universe, St. Mary Star of the Sea, St. Clare of Montefalco, Transfiguration and Bartlett Learning Center and Immaculata Congregational Home.

She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Source.

Father Edward G. Corcoran, 91, died March 28. He was pastor emeritus of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish, also known as Little Flower Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Margaret of Scotland School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1956.

He was assistant pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland; Sts. Faith, Hope & Charity, Winnetka; and Our Lady of Grace. He was associate pastor of St. Agnes, Chicago Heights; St. Fabian, Bridgeview; and St. Leonard, Berwyn. He was pastor of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish for 14 years.

In addition, Father Corcoran served for 11 years as spiritual director of the North America Indigenous Ministries.

Father William Corcoran, current pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton, Orland Hills, first met Edward Corcoran at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish where they worked together. Despite the 26 years age gap, they became close friends. “He was very kind and patient with others,” William Corcoran said. “He loved his parishioners and was a great cheerleader for their betterment.”

After retirement, Father Edward Corcoran went to the Diocese of San Diego to help in the Native American missions. 

School Sister of St. Francis Sister Joseline (Florentina) Valdes, 87, died March 1 at Nazarethville Place in Des Plaines.

Born in the Philippines, Sister Joseline was received into the Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception in the Philippines in 1957 and made her final vows in 1965. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1976.

Beginning in 1976, Sister Joseline ministered in Illinois for four decades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was a teacher at Holy Angels (1976-1977), assistant principal at St. Philomena School (1977-1978) and teacher at Our Lady of Victory School (1978-1980). She was a caregiver at Life Style Options in Des Plaines (1995-1997) and Community Care System in Oak Park (1996). She served as pastoral minister at St. Peter Canisius Parish (1986-1990) and was assisted living coordinator at Our Lady of Fatima Center in Des Plaines (1997-2013). She also served as the director (1990-1991) and spiritual director (2014-2021) of Fatima Prayer Community in River Grove. In retirement, Sister Joseline served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Fatima Prayer Community from 2021 until the time of her death.  

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Rosemary (Aemilia) Empen, 88, died March 2 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Rochelle, Sister Rosemary made her first religious profession in 1957 and her perpetual profession in 1960. She was a teacher, principal, missionary, pastoral minister and director of a cultural center, and she served in Illinois, New York, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Mississippi, and in Bolivia.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Rosemary taught at St. Basil (1957-1962).

She is survived by three sisters: Shirley Modjallal, Phyliss Gibson and Carol Glenn; and two brothers:  Joseph Empen and Ronald Empen.

Daughter of Charity Cecile Matushek, 81, died in Bridgeton, Missouri, March 14.

Born in Chicago, Sister Cecile graduated from Aquinas High School in 1958 and entered the Daughters of Charity in 1959.

Sister Cecile served in education for the next 28 years in Missouri and Louisiana, during which she earned a master’s degree in education administration.

After completing another master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans, Sister Cecile began working in health care in Texas.

She is survived by her sister, Elissa Rose Oldaker.

Sister of St. Casimir M. Concetta Petrauskas, 101, died March 14 in Lemont.

Born in Pennsylvania, Sister Concetta made her first profession of vows in 1943 and her perpetual vows in 1948. She ministered for 64 years in Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania as a teacher and guidance counselor.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Concetta taught at Providence of God (1943-1945), All Saints (1951-1952) and Maria High School (1956-1962). 

Beginning in 2014, her final ministry was that of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village, Lemont.

Adrian Dominican Sister Helen Diane (Ina Marie) McGuirt, 82, died March 18 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Aquinas High School and was in the 64th year of her religious life.

Sister Helen Diane ministered in education, as a religious education coordinator, pastoral minister and counselor in Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and Kentucky.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1965-1966); Bishop Quarter, Oak Park (1966-1968); and St. Columbanus (1968-1972).

She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2012.

Sister Helen Diane is survived by a sister, Mary Ina Otten.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Kathleen (Mary Bernard) Conlin, 89, died March 19 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Kathleen made her first religious profession in 1953 and her perpetual profession in 1956. She was a teacher, support staff member and pastoral minister in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Kathleen taught at St. Barnabas (1956-1960).

She is survived by two sisters, Mary Ries and Patricia Thiesenhusen, and a brother, Bernard “Joe” Conlin.

Sister of St. Joseph of Carondolet Mary Kathleen Dowling, 71, died March 20 in Fenton, Missouri.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Sister Mary Kathleen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1972 and was received into the novitiate in 1973.

Sister Mary Kathleen ministered in education, teaching in Colorado, Missouri, Michigan and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Nativity of Our Lord (1984), St. Fidelis (1985-1990), St. Philomena (1990-2005) and St. Helen (2005-2021). Sister Mary Kathleen retired in 2021 and moved to St. Louis in January.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Imelda Goska, 95, of Bartlett, died March 22.

She entered religious life in 1942 from St. Barbara Parish (Throop Street).

She ministered in education and service to her community in Chicago as well as in Indiana and Colorado.

Father William B. Gubbins, 92, died March 14. He was pastor emeritus of St. John Berchmans Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Gubbins attended St. Philip Neri School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1955.

Father Gubbins’ first assignment was as assistant pastor at Holy Name Cathedral for nine years before serving in the same role at Our Lady of Knock, Calumet City; St. Nicholas, Evanston; and St. Sylvester. He was associate pastor of Our Lady of Mercy; Divine Providence, Westchester; and St. Aloysius.

After a five-month stay in Israel to study Scripture, Father Gubbins became pastor at Queen of Martyrs Parish, Evergreen Park. In 1992, he became pastor at St. John Berchmans, where he served until 1999. He received the title of pastor emeritus when he retired.

Father William Corcoran, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Orland Hills, lived at the parish with Father Gubbins for about eight years.

“He was 92 going on 60,” said Corcoran, who remembered his friend as thriving and being mentally sharp in his final years. Even after retirement, Father Gubbins heard confessions, celebrated Masses, and facilitated Bible studies, Corcoran added. “He was incredibly kind, a good listener and always serving people.”

Deacon Richard Flam, 87, died Dec. 4 in San Antonio. He was ordained in 1996 and served at St. Marcelline, Schaumburg.

Born in Chicago, Deacon Flam worked in computer systems for 43 years. He loved the Cubs and playing golf, and collecting and building model cars and airplanes. After retirement he moved to Tucson, Arizona, and volunteered for many years at the Pima Air and Space Museum.

Deacon Flam was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, who died Dec. 1. He is survived by his children Julie Copeland, Christine Ballo and Mary Knox; and two grandchildren.

Deacon R. Michael Ruffner, 80, died March 15 in Florida. He was ordained in 1992 and served at Immaculate Conception (North Park Avenue) and at Mary,  Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge.

Deacon Ruffner grew up in Chicago and attended Lakeview High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Sue Walker, and they had three children before his wife died at the age of 23. In 1977, he met his wife Jan through Naim, a group for widows and widowers, and they married in 1978, bringing together his three children and Jan’s son Edward in one family.

Deacon Ruffner worked briefly for Illinois Bell and then American Can Co., before starting his own business, Can Serv, in which he was active even after formally retiring to Florida in 2004.

While in Florida, he continued his diaconate ministry in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Deacon Ruffner is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jan; his children Susan, Sean and Mike; and nine grandchildren. His son Edward predeceased him.

Vincentian Father John T. Richardson, 98, died March 29 in Missouri.

Father Richardson served as president of DePaul University from 1981 to 1993, leading a major expansion of the institution, and he was chancellor from 1993 to 2017.

“Father Richardson’s leadership of DePaul resulted in growing our national reputation, while expanding our engagement in the city of Chicago and deepening our commitment to the university’s Catholic, Vincentian, and urban mission,” DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban said. “He was a visionary leader, whose impact on our university will endure, and he will be missed by all in the DePaul family.”

He joined the university in 1954 as dean of the graduate school, and from 1955 to 1970, he taught in the law school, teaching dozens of future Cook County judges and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Father Richardson’s presidency marked a period of intense growth of DePaul’s community involvement in Lincoln Park, the Loop and all of Chicago. Hallmarks of his time with the university include increasing DePaul’s appeal to students across the country, strengthening the university’s Vincentian commitment to its urban community and developing the diversity of DePaul’s faculty, staff and student body.

In 1997, he went to Kenya to teach in the Vincentian seminary there, returning to DePaul in 2010.

Sister of St. Casimir Johanna Marie Shainauskas, 88, died Feb. 13 in Lemont.

Born in Chicago, Sister Johanna Marie made her first profession of vows in 1952 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

She ministered in California, Pennsylvania and Illinois as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of student services.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Johanna Marie taught at All Saints (1952-1954); St. Bartholomew, Waukegan (1954-1956); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1959-1963); Immaculate Conception (44th Street) (1963-1964); Nativity BVM (1964-1965); and Providence of God (1971-1976), where she served as principal from 1976 to 1977.

She was a receptionist at Holy Cross Hospital while teaching music at Immaculate Conception from 1988 to 1989. At Maria High School, she taught Spanish and served as director of student services (1990-1999).

After she retired from education, Sister Johanna Marie served as secretary and receptionist at Nativity BVM Parish.

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia Laverne (Michael Dominic) Erickson, 79, died Feb. 14 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Wisconsin, she was in the 61st year of her religious life. Sister Patricia ministered in education and as a nurse, and in service to her congregation. She served in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Alabama, Texas, California, Florida, and Puerto Rico, and in Nicaragua, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Denis (1961-1965), St. Rita (1967-1969) and Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1970-1972) and was a nursing assistant at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park (1972-1973).

Sister Patricia Laverne became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy Revell, and her brother, Michael Erickson.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Monice Kavanaugh, 83, died March 16 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Monice attended several Catholic elementary schools, including St. Simon; St. Brendan; Little Flower; St. Leo; and Ascension, Oak Park; before attending Trinity High School, River Forest.

She made her first religious profession in 1958 and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1961. She was a teacher, served her congregation, and was a pastoral minister and director of the diaconate formation program for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She served in Wisconsin, New York and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Monice taught at Queen of Peace, Burbank (1966-1976), where she also served as the chair of the Christian Living Department. She was a pastoral associate at St. Fabian, Bridgeview (1976-1984), and at Immaculate Conception Parish (1991-1999), and was the director of formation for the permanent diaconate formation program for the archdiocese (1984-1991).

Sister Monice served as a member of the Resources for Mission Team for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation while living in Chicago (2011-2017) and ministered with the House of Connections and the Learning Center in Chicago (1999-2014), providing adult education and literacy programs and serving the center as executive director, employment counselor and program director.

Deacon Robert Ciesil, 94, of Schaumburg, died March 2. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Alphonsus Liguori, Prospect Heights, and St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet; and his children Mary Schroeder, Donna Fladd and James Ciesil; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Adrian Dominican Sister Grace (Susan Angela) Gianella, 80, died Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 61st year of her religious life.

Sister Grace ministered in elementary education, as a pastoral associate and in administration in Illinois, California and Colorado.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1962-1967) and Saint Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (1967-1971).

She is survived by her brother, Michael Gianella.

Adrian Dominican Sister Anna Mae (Neal Joseph) Kelly, 88, died Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from St. Thomas the Apostle High School. She was in the 69th year of her religious life.

She ministered in elementary education and as a chaplain in Michigan and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary Star of the Sea (1970-1972), St. Mary of Mount Carmel (1972-1975) and St. Clare of Montefalco (1975-1976); was a tutor at Alexander Smith (1977); directed the learning center at Blessed Agnes (1977-1984); taught at St. David (1984-1985), Bridgeport Catholic Academy (1985-1986), St. Gall (1986-1987), Providence of God (1987-1988), St. Casmir (1988-1989), Epiphany (1995-1997), and St. Benedict, Blue Island (1997-1998); and was a preschool teacher at St. Ailbe (1998-2002).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Maria (Maria Goretti) Oppriecht, 91, died Feb. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Born in Wisconsin, Sister Maria made her first religious profession in 1951 and her perpetual profession in 1954.

She was a teacher, school guidance counselor, pastoral minister and Reiki practitioner in South Dakota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Maria taught at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1956-1961), and St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine (1967-1969).

School Sister of Notre Dame Dorothy Kunze, 90, died March 2 at Maple Glen Memory Care Center in Glen Ellyn.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 70 years.

She served as an elementary school teacher and administrator in Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois and was on the province staff as secretary, office manager, finance bookkeeper and transportation coordinator.

Father Thomas J. Mescall, 74, died Feb. 1. He was the former pastor of St. Adrian Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Mescall attended St. Leo School and Leo High School. He went on to the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and graduated in 1973 from the John Marshall Law School, now known as University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Prior to entering the seminary, Father Mescall practiced law in Albuquerque until 2000, serving as a judge for 17 years in municipal, district and probate courts. He married and had two children, and after his divorce, his marriage was nullified.

Father Mescall always felt a pull toward priesthood and in 2000, he entered the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2004.

Father Mescall served the Archdiocese of Chicago as associate pastor of St. Terrence Parish, Alsip, and St. Denis Parish. He was also chaplain of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago and served as pastor at St. Adrian Parish until he retired in 2018.

He is survived by his son, Thomas J. Mescall II; his daughter, Regina Ann Mescall; four grandchildren; his brother, James Mescall; and his dear and faithful friend, Mary Molina Mescall.

Deacon James Patrick Nimietz, 90, died Jan. 28. He served at St. Benedict (Irving Park Road) and St. John of the Cross, Streamwood.

He is survived by his children Kathleen Colwell, Thomas Nimietz, Michael Nimietz and Gregory Nimietz; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother Robert Nimietz.

His wife, Mary Ann, predeceased him.

Viatorian Father John Milton, 92, died Jan. 24 at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights. He was a Viatorian priest for 65 years and founding faculty member of St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights.

Born in Chicago, he graduated high school from Fournier Institute of Technology in Lemont. He was among the first group of brothers to profess vows at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights after it opened in 1952, and he was ordained a priest in 1957.

He taught in Springfield, Peoria and Kankakee, as well as at St. Viator High School (1963-1965, 1968-1986).

He served as director of novices from 1986 to 1991, and taught part-time at DePaul University in 1987. He became a full-time professor at DePaul in 1991 and taught until 2010, when he was awarded the Via Sapientiae Award, the university’s highest faculty-staff honor.

Father Milton retired to the Viatorian Province Center residence in Arlington Heights, and was a weekend celebrant at St. Zachary Parish, Des Plaines, and served as a consultant to the physics program at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, Waukegan, where he helped establish the Advanced Placement science programs.

He is survived by his brother, George Milton.

Sister Loretta (Mary Nathan) Zemaitis, 99, died Jan. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Loretta made her first religious profession in 1945 and her perpetual profession in 1948. She was a teacher and tutor, served in adult faith formation and was a director of religious education and pastoral minister in Wisconsin, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Montana, Texas, Wyoming, South Carolina and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Loretta taught at Visitation (1958-1962), provided food and clothing for those in need at St. Basil Parish (1983-1984), and taught adult religious education and worked with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program at Parish Cooperative of South Chicago (St. Mary Magdalene Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish) (1984-1990).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister LaDonna (Albertino) Jeno, 90, died Jan. 28 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, Sister LaDonna made her first religious profession in 1952 and her perpetual profession in 1955. She taught, was a cook and served as support staff and an educational aide in Illinois, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Minnesota and Alabama.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister LaDonna taught at Epiphany (1952-1954) and Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1960-1962). She served as cook at Trinity Convent, River Forest (1958-1959).

Edmund Rice Christian Brother Robert Liguori May, 87, died Jan. 30.

Brother Robert attended St. Sabina School and Leo High School before joining the Christian Brothers in 1952.

He taught in New York before returning to the Chicago area. He taught at Brother Rice High School and St. Laurence High School, Burbank, Illinois, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Brother Robert founded the remedial reading programs at both Brother Rice and St. Laurence, and was active in parents’ clubs and served as band moderator and on school advisory boards. He also served as novice master for his community for seven years.

After retiring in 2005, Brother Robert moved into Marian Village retirement home in Homer Glen, and served on the Resident Council Board, was a sacristan and eucharistic minister, helped in the deli and called bingo and ran other games.

Providence Sister Mary Ann (Robert Ann) Lechner, 92, died Feb. 1 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1947 and professed final voes in 1954. 

She ministered as teacher in Indiana and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mel (1949-1954).

Sister Mary Ann is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Bormann and Eileen Lauka.

Benedictine Sister Barbara (Mary Justin) McCarry, 82, died Feb. 2 in St. Joseph Court Infirmary.

Born in Chicago, Sister Barbara attended St. Anthony de Padua Parish and Maria High School. She professed triennial vows in 1964 and made her final profession of vows in 1968.

Sister Barbara taught English for a Chicago public high school (1961-1962), then taught at St. Scholastica Academy (1964-1965, 1968-1974), Queen of All Saints (1966-1967, 1977-1978) and St. Hilary (1967-1968) and then served as curriculum director at St. Scholastica (1974-1977). She returned to Queen of All Saints as principal from 1978 to 1993.

Sister Barbara then trained and served as a probation officer in Chicago at the Juvenile Court Building, with outreach to detention centers in St. Charles and Warrenville. She later returned as a curriculum consultant for the Chicago Board of Education. In 2008, Sister Barbara served as a consultant for UNO Charter Schools.

From 2012 to 2022, Sister Barbara lived a life of prayer.

Sister Theresa (M. Edmundine) Lesnak, 93, died Jan. 13 in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first profession of vows in 1948 and her final profession in 1954.

Beginning in 1950, Sister Theresa ministered in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Nebraska for more than seven decades.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Theresa taught at St. Mary School, Buffalo Grove (1974-1975); was an administrative secretary for Smoler Brothers (1975-1980); taught at Madonna High School (1980-1994); was a secretary for the FD Services Data Base (1994-1995); taught at St. Benedict High School (1995-1998); was an instructor at Wright College (1998-2005); and was bookkeeper for St. Priscilla Convent (2005-2007).

In retirement, Sister Theresa was a volunteer at St. Joseph Convent in Campbellsport, Wisconsin (2007-2014), and served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee (2014-2015), and at Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Greenfield from 2015 until the time of her death. 

Basilian Father John Fiore, 92, died Jan. 15 at the Albertine Home in Hammond, Indiana.

He was born in Toronto and was ordained at St. Basil Church there in 1957. He came to Chicago to earn a doctorate in musicology from the University of Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he assisted at Little Flower, St. David, and for more than 30 years at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Oak Lawn.

Sister Joan (James Irene) Redden, BVM, 92, died Jan. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 from St. Francis of Rome Parish, Cicero. She professed first vows in 1950 and final vows in 1955.

Sister Joan ministered in Iowa, Illinois and Washington. In Illinois, she taught elementary school in Cicero and high school in Waukegan and Lake Forest. She also was a teacher assistant in North Chicago and an assistant apartment manager in Waukegan.

Redemptorist Father Richard Thibodeau, 72, the first provincial superior of the Redemptorist Denver Province, died Jan. 16 of COVID-19-related pneumonia in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. An exceptional administrator blessed with a sensitivity to navigate difficult issues, Father Richard served in leadership positions throughout his 44 years as a Redemptorist missionary.

Born in Milwaukee, Father Richard felt called to the priesthood in elementary school. He professed temporary vows in 1970 and perpetual vows in 1973. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1976.

Father Richard ministered in Redemptorist formation programs, as marketing director and president of Liguori Publications; as a local community rector and provincial consultor; and as vicar of the Villa Redeemer community in Glenview.

When two provinces merged to form the Denver Province in 1996, he was elected superior and served three terms, until 2005.

He then was pastor of St. Michael Parish (Cleveland Avenue) 2005 until 2011, before serving as a pastor in New Orleans before being appointed director of the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc in 2019.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Barbara (Walthier) Bell, 90, died Jan. 17 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Barbara made her first religious profession in 1951 and her perpetual profession in 1954. She was a teacher, director of religious education, bookkeeper and pastoral administrator in Minnesota, Indiana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Illinois and Montana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Barbara served as director of religious education at St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine (1973-1975), and Visitation Parish (1975-1976), where she also taught in the school.

Father John J. Nicola, 92, died Jan. 3. He was the former assistant pastor of St. Cecilia Parish (Wells Street) and St. James Parish, Arlington Heights.

Born in Evanston, Father Nicola attended St. Thomas of Canterbury School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1955.

He also earned a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

Father Nicola was assistant pastor of St. James Parish and St. Cecilia and taught at Quigley Preparatory Seminary for 10 years before moving to the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., to serve as the assistant director of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. After that assignment, he taught at Georgetown Prep in Maryland and other Catholic high schools.

Deacon Timothy Donovan, 82, died Dec. 16, 2021, in Arizona. He was ordained in 1993 and served at Old St. Mary and Holy Rosary parishes.

Born in Chicago, he worked as an auditor for the federal government, according to his wife of 52 years, Noreen Donovan. Deacon Donovan loved to read and take walks near the couple’s retirement home in Arizona.

He entered diaconate formation when their children were in high school, and as a deacon, he especially liked doing marriage preparation for couples in which one of the partners was not Catholic.

“A couple of years later they’d be back for baptism preparation, and they would ask for him,” Noreen Donovan said.

Deacon Donovan is survived by his wife, his children Tim and Sharyn, and four grandchildren.

Deacon José Mendoza, 81, died Jan. 5 in Kentucky. He was ordained in 1995 and ministered at St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish for five years.

He moved first to the Diocese of Joliet before living in McAllen, Texas, and then Elizabeth, Kentucky.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Jasso Mendoza; his children Mark A. Mendoza, Jaime A. Mendoza and Georgiana T. Mendoza Bulanda; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sisters Carmen Mendoza, Martina Morales and Teresa Mendoza; and his brothers Amado Mendoza, Antonio Mendoza and Martin Mendoza.

Adrian Dominican Sister Lucy Ann (Florence Maurice) Quinn, 89, died Dec. 17, 2021.

Born in Detroit, she was in her 70th year of religious profession.

Sister Lucy Ann ministered in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Clare of Montefalco.

Felician Sister Mary Claude (Helen) Szyperski, 89, died Dec. 22, 2021, in Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Born in Chicago, she attended Good Shepherd Grade School and Good Counsel High School. After high school, she worked for a number years at the Prudential Insurance Company. She entered the Felician Sisters’ postulancy in 1960 and professed her final vows in 1967. 

She was primarily engaged in ministry to the aged, serving at St. Mary Home for the Aged in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, mainly as an administrator, for nearly 40 years.

Later, she served in senior ministry in the Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Adrian Dominican Sister Ann Patrice (Lucille Judith) Remkus, 93, died Dec. 24, 2021, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Rockford, she was in the 74th year of her religious profession.

Sister Ann Patrice ministered in education, pastoral and office ministry in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, California and Arizona.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Laurence (1953-1955); Aquinas High School (1963-1967); and Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1968-1971). She worked at St. Mary, Star of the Sea (1979-1981); was a development assistant at Regina Dominican (1981-1986); was a pastoral associate at Our Lady of Charity, Cicero (1987-1993); and was secretary to the director of religious education at St. Victor, Calumet City (1995-1998).

Adrian Dominican Sister Anne (Joseph Anthony) Beauvais, 88, died Dec. 25, 2021, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Libertyville, she was in the 69th year of her religious profession.

Sister Anne ministered in Michigan, Illinois and Nevada.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Joseph, Homewood (1953-1956), and St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1960-1962). She was principal of Ascension, Harvey (1966-1975); taught junior high at St. Clare of Montefalco (1975-1976); and was administrative secretary at St. Cyprian School, River Grove (1988-1991). She was a receptionist in pastoral care (1992-2002) and a chaplain at Mercy Hospital (2002-2013) before retiring.

She is survived by her sister, Cecile Harris, and her brother, Father David E. Beauvais.

Adrian Dominican Sister Loretta (Ann Elizabeth) May, 88, died Jan. 3 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 71st year of her religious profession.

Sister Loretta ministered in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1954-1955) and St. Philip Neri (1955-1957).