Father Richard J. Kozak, 84, died April 15. He was a retired archdiocesan priest and former pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Homewood, now St. John Neumann Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Kozak attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

He was assistant pastor of St. Felicitas Parish and associate pastor of St. Simeon, Bellwood; St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park; and Sacred Heart, Melrose Park. He was pastor of the former St. Joseph, Homewood, for nearly 17 years before retiring in 2015.

In a 2012 interview with the archdiocesan newspaper, Kozak mentioned that he lost sight in one eye a month before being ordained. He said, “I’m convinced it deepened my spiritual vision of the Lord even though I lost physical vision. It happened on St. Joseph’s Day, March 19, 1967. I look back on my life and say, ‘Well Lord, I guess you had a plan for me.’”

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Joan (Ternan) McCann, 85, died April 9 in Racine, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1961. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s in the teaching of mathematics and a master’s in education management and supervision.

Sister Joan’s ministry was dedicated to education, administration and consultancy. She taught at schools in Washington, D.C.; Freeport, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and Baltimore Maryland; as well as at St. Mary School, Evanston, and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity School, Winnetka.

She was an assistant superintendent in the Office of Education of the Archdiocese of Atlanta before joining with Adrian Dominican Sister Mary-beth Beres to found Leadership Systems, a nonprofit consulting ministry serving religious congregations, social service organizations and schools.

Following that ministry, Sr. Joan served the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation as vicaress provincial of the Southern Province before becoming vicar for consecrated life for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Sister Joan retired in 2010 and volunteered in the Oak Lawn area until 2024, when she moved to Stair Crest, a senior living community in Muskego, Wisconsin.

She is survived by three sisters: Marjorie Kayser, Alice McCann, and Nancy Tegtmeyer.  

School Sister of Notre Dame Catherine (David Maureen) Sarther, 83, died April 10 at Ascension Resurrection Life Center.

A member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 63 years, she taught high school at Academy of Our Lady and taught in elementary schools in Chicago and Milwaukee. She also assisted international students at Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, was a researcher for Chicago Public Schools, and served her community as a provincial councilor in Chicago and a general councilor in Rome.

She is survived by her siblings: David Sarther, James Sarther, Margaret Fox and William Sarther.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Jeanne Drea, 82, died April 28 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1972.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in upper elementary education, a certificate in theology and, later, a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago.

She taught at schools in Illinois and Wisconsin, and ministered in parishes in Wisconsin and Florida. She also worked for Catholic Charities and in various outreach programs in Florida.

She is survived by her brother, Harry Drea.

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Catherine Marie (Barbara Ann) Kawa, 82, died Oct. 27, 2025, in Park Ridge.

She attended Holy Innocents Parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Holy Family Parish before entering religious life as a postulant in 1964.

She ministered in Texas as well as at St. Camillus School and at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Sister of the Holy Family Nazareth Phyllis (Emnilda) Siedlecka, 93, died Jan. 23.

She attended St. Adalbert Parish and St. Ann High School before entering religious life in 1952.

She taught primary school in Illinois, Indiana and Texas and served as a local superior. She also ministered at the provincialate and at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Bernadine (M. Norbertine) Wachowiak, 91, died Feb. 22.

She attended St. Hedwig parish and school and Holy Family Academy before entering  religious life in 1951.

She ministered as a teacher, principal and director of religious education with assignments at St. Hyacinth; St. Blase, Argo; St. Michael; St. Emily, Mount Prospect; Immaculate Heart of Mary; St. Josaphat; St. Hedwig; St. Andrew; St. Ladislaus and the community’s provincialate at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

She is survived by a brother, Kenneth, and a sister, Rita.

School Sister of St. Francis Rita Mae Rabitoy, 92, died at Sacred Heart Convent in Milwaukee on March 26.

Born in Michigan, Sister Rita Mae was received into the community in 1950, made her first profession of vows in 1952 and made her final vows in 1958.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Rita Mae ministered at St. Benedict High School (1954-1956); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview (1956-1957); St. Mary, Buffalo Grove (1963-1967); St. William (1967-1971, 1972-1985); Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1985-2005); and St. Cyprian, River Grove (1971-1972 and 2005-2006), where she also volunteered in retirement from 2006-2018.

Providence Sister Mary Lois (Ollie Marie) Hennel, 98, died April 3 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954.

In her 79 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a teacher in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In 1970, she left teaching for administrative work, serving the St. Gabriel Province in Indianapolis and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. She also served in the business office at the motherhouse.

After retiring in 2002, she continued to serve as a volunteer in the business office and in the Providence Food Pantry.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Our Lady of Sorrows (1949-1953) and as secretary at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1990-1994).

Sister Mary Lois is survived by a brother, Joseph Hennel, and a sister, Maggie Hennel.

Dominican Sister Marie Anna (Rose de Lima) Stelmach, 80, died April 8 in Racine, Wisconsin.

Born in Baltimore, she made profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1965.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in math and theology from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest. She also earned a master’s degree in divinity from Immaculate Conception Seminary in New Jersey; a master’s degree in theology from Seton Hall University in New Jersey; and certification as a registered nurse from Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing in Virginia.

Her ministry focused on teaching, pastoral care, missionary work and health care. She taught in California, Wisconsin and New York as well as at Visitation School in Chicago. She served as a missionary in the Diocese of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Trinidad; and as a director of religious education in Rockford, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; and Louisiana.

She worked in hospital chaplaincy and prison ministry before serving as a registered nurse in Virginia and for the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation.

She is survived by two sisters, Helen Wyczalek and Jean Huether.

Father Robert G. Mair, 86, died March 29. He was pastor emeritus of St. Catherine Labouré Parish in Glenview.

Born in Chicago, Father Mair attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1965.

After ordination, Mair served as assistant pastor of St. Nicholas, Evanston, and St. Joseph, Wilmette. He was associate pastor of St. Peter, Skokie, and St. Mary of the Lake.

He became pastor of St. Catherine Labouré in 2000 and retired in 2009.

Father William E. Vanecko, one of Father Mair’s classmates, remembered him as a good pastor and athlete.

“He was a big fan of golf,” Vanecko said, as he recalled the days when they played basketball and softball together.

Deacon Hippolito Crespo, 83, died March 23 in Puerto Rico, where he had lived for several years. He was ordained in 1999 and ministered at St. Sylvester Parish. He moved to Puerto Rico in 2010.

Deacon James Revord, 91, died March 24. He was ordained in 1993 and ministered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he moved with his family to Minnesota and Ohio before settling in Chicago. He attended Loyola Academy and the University of Notre Dame, where he studied mechanical engineering.

He married his wife, Patricia, in 1957, before beginning a three-year stint as a damage control officer in the U.S. Navy. After returning to Chicago, he worked as a mechanical engineer in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry.

As a deacon, he led faith-sharing groups and baptismal preparation and did hospital visits and bereavement ministry with his wife. He also delivered countless homilies, baptized hundreds of babies, witnessed many marriages and offered many beautiful eulogies.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children Mary Eileen, Janie, John, Tom, Julie and Patrick; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Deacon William Engler, 84, died March 26. He was ordained in 1986.

He ministered at St. Mary, Riverside; St. John of the Cross, Western Springs; and St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, Tinley Park, accompanying people in need, in doubt and in joy. He loved officiating baptisms and marriages and held deep affection for his deacon family.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kate; his sons Vincent and Matthew; three grandchildren, and his sister, Marianne Lillie.

Deacon John Lorbach, 75, died March 26. He was ordained in 1996 and served at St. Raymond de Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect.

Deacon Lorbach served as the parish’s director of worship, coordinated the baptism program and was the parish representative to St. Mark Lutheran Church, the parish’s covenant partner.

He is survived by his wife, Ingrid; his children Brian, Timothy and Mary Kate; three grandchildren; and siblings Diane Wilson, David Lorbach and Karen Schappert.

Deacon Feliks Pezowicz, 81, died March 31. He ministered at Transfiguration Parish in Wauconda.

Born in Poland, he loved serving the community and regularly provide comfort and ministry services to the elderly. He was a fixture in the rosary group Kolo zywego rózanca Swietej Tereski od Dzieciatka Jezus.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Josette; his children Thomas Pezowicz and Donna Lesczynski; four grandchildren; and his sister Waclawa Krasowska.

Jesuit Brother James E. Small, 104, died March 19 in Clarkston, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, Brother Small was a postulant in the Jesuit novitiate in Milford, Ohio, for a few months when he was 18, but he went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked as a machinist and Chicago police officer before entering the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus in 1952. He made his final vows in 1963.

Brother Small served as the infirmarian at the Milford novitiate (1955-1958) and West Baden College, Indiana (1958-1963).

He returned to the novitiate a carpenter (1963-1969) before being missioned to Loyola Academy in Wilmette, where he spent over four decades ministering as a carpenter and an artist-in-residence. In 2013, he moved to Colombiere Center in Clarkston.

Throughout his life, Brother Small would copy famous paintings and sell them to support Loyola Academy. Later in life, he began painting original artwork that currently hangs on the walls of Colombiere Center.

According to the Loyola Academy website, his paintings raised over a million dollars for tuition assistance at the school, where he also taught Saturday art classes to students of all ages.

Providence Sister Mary Catherine (Marikay) Duffy, 90, died March 20 in St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1953 and was given the name Sister Marie Michele. She professed final vows in 1960.

Of her 73 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in elementary schools in Illinois and California for nine years and then ministered in Arequipa, Peru, for nine years. Upon return, she served in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ Hispanic apostolate, and in 1987 was part of founding the Hispanic Education Center. She continued working in Hispanic ministry and ministry to immigrants.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Athanasius, Evanston (1955-1956); Our Lady of Mercy (1956-1958); and St. Sylvester (1958-1961).

Redemptorist Father Albert Castellino, 91, died March 23 in Missouri. Father Albert preached the Good News in four languages on five continents for nearly six decades.

Born in Maharashtra, India, he professed temporary vows with the Province of Bangalore in 1954 and professed perpetual vows in 1957. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1961.

Father Albert met and worked with St. Teresa of Calcutta in India before becoming active in the Marriage Encounter program there. Couples from the United States who assisted in building the program in India asked the charismatic Father Albert to return to the United States to lead the program in the Diocese of Boise.

While in the United States, Father Albert became involved in other movements within the church: the Cursillo and charismatic movements, as well as Teens Encounter Christ and Engaged Couples Weekends. He began preaching missions throughout the West Coast in 1981.

He joined the former St. Louis Province in 1988, and was known as a creative, engaging and effective itinerant preacher. He maintained an extensive network of friends throughout the country.

As a member of the mission team, Father Albert was stationed at St. Alphonsus Parish from 1986 to 1993 and St. Michael Parish from 1993 until 1999.

Deacon John A. Henricks, 79, died March 6. He was ordained in 1993 and ministered at Sacred Heart Parish (Melrose Park) and St. Giles, Oak Park.

Born in Ohio, he moved with his family to Baltimore, then Indiana, before arriving in Oak Park, where he attended Fenwick High School. During his time there, he did service work with Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, which inspired a lifetime of social justice work and caring for others.

He earned a master’s degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago and worked as a licensed clinical social worker at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center and Rush University Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lois; three daughters, Rebecca, Jennifer and Elizabeth; and one grandchild.

Father John Paul Lucas, 85, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas died Feb. 4.

Born in Cleveland, Father Lucas attended Ohio State University, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and Notre Dame de Namur University. During his time in the seminary, he regularly wrote articles for the Byzantine Catholic World.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1966 and incardinated into the St. Nicholas Eparchy, based in Chicago, in 1985. Father Lucas served parishes in Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara, California, before coming to Chicago to serve at St. Michael Parish in the West Pullman neighborhood.

In 2002, Father John was appointed English-language editor of the eparchial newspaper New Star, and in 2007 he became its managing editor.

He is survived by his brother, Donald.

Deacon Manuel Rodriguez Torres, 99, died Feb. 15 in Chicago. He was ordained in 1972 and served at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Roosevelt Road).

Born in Puerto Rico, Deacon Rodriguez Torres and his wife, Carmen, built a life in Chicago rooted in love for their family and commitment to serving others.

He was preceded in death by Carmen, his wife of 59 years; a daughter; and a grandson. He is survived by 13 children and dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Marie Alfred) Rathert, 82, died Jan. 20 in Muskego, Wisconsin.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1963. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest; a master’s degree in math education from Ohio State University; and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Sister Mary’s ministry was dedicated to teaching, pastoral care and social service work. She taught math at Visitation High School and at Trinity High School, River Forest, as well as in Milwaukee and in Omaha, Nebraska.

She then served her congregation on the formation team for the Sinsinawa Dominican Novitiate, as a provincial councilor for the Eastern Province, and as councilor on the Sinsinawa Dominican Leadership Council.

She worked in outreach and parish ministry in Florida, West Virginia and Virginia, and as a program director in Washington.

Sister of the Living Word Mary Ann Zrust, 96, died Jan. 22.

Born in Minnesota, Sister Mary Ann spent her first 18 years of ministry as an elementary teacher in Missouri, Minnesota and Louisiana, before serving as a principal in Minnesota.

She was one of the first in leadership for the Sisters of the Living Word, founded in 1975, and was again elected to leadership in 1993. 

From 1983 to 1993, Sister Mary Ann was pastoral associate at St. Mary of Celle Parish, Berwyn. From 1998 to 2005, she was the associate director for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of the Vicar for Priests.

She wrote two books on the history of her religious community and the writings of the foundress, Sister Annamarie Cook.

She spent the past eight years at Resurrection Life Center.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Sigrid (Lillian Agnes) Simlik, 97, died Jan. 23 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1949. She earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, and a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary University, San Antonio. 

She was a teacher in Maryland, Wisconsin and Illinois, where she taught various foreign languages in the role of lecturer at Rosary College.

She also ministered in Oklahoma, and was a hospital chaplain in Texas and Nebraska.

School Sister of Notre Dame Cabrini Ganz, 105, died Jan. 31 at Ascension Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Italy, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 84 years.

She ministered as an elementary school teacher in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan; as an artist, homemaker and community staff member in DeKalb, Illinois; Chicago; and Rome; and in prayer and presence at Marian Village, Homer Glen; and Advocate Resurrection Life Center.

Holy Cross Father Kenneth Michael Molinaro, 77, died Feb. 9 in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Patrick Elementary School in South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1966 before enrolling in the Holy Cross candidate program at the University of Notre Dame.

He entered the Holy Cross novitiate in 1968 and made his first vows in 1969. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1971 with a degree in sociology and spent the next two years teaching at St. Catherine Laboure School in Glenview. During that time, he received a degree as a reading specialist from the National College of Education in 1973. He returned to Moreau Seminary and was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 1976.

After ordination, Father Molinaro served as principal at Sacred Heart Grade School in Winnetka until 1981. He ministered in South Bend before being assigned as principal (1986-1998) and then president (1998-2000) of Notre Dame High School in Niles.

He then served in leadership positions in his community until he retired in 2021.

He is survived by his brothers, Joseph and Daniel, and his sisters, Anna Grace Riblet and Kathleen Carpenter.

Viatorian Father Donald J. Fitzsimmons, 93, died Feb. 13 in Arlington Heights.

Born in Pontiac, Illinois, he graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield before entering the community. He made his first vows in 1951 and was ordained in 1960.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history from Loyola University Chicago; a master’s degree in history from St. Louis University; a diplôme in religious studies from Lumen Vitae: Institut Science, Brussels; and a master’s degree in doctoral studies and religious education from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Father Fitzsimmons taught in Peoria before becoming a teacher and counselor at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1970-1988). From 1988 to 1997, he was a drug abuse counselor at Lutheran General Recovery Center, Vernon Hills. He also served as a substance abuse counselor in the Keys to Recovery Program at Holy Family Hospital, Des Plaines (1998-2001). In 2001, Father Fitzsimmons retired to the Viatorian Province Center, Arlington Heights.

He is survived by his brother, Robert, and his sister, Patricia Andreatta.

Notre Dame de Namur Sister Mary Lou Stoffel, 90, died Feb. 16 in Cincinnati.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 72nd year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Lou’s ministry as educator and administrator took her to various communities in Ohio and to Chicago, where she ministered for many years at St. Robert Bellarmine School.

After her retirement, Sister Mary Lou served her community in her ministry of presence and prayer, and in cheering on her beloved Chicago Cubs.

Viatorian Father Daniel J. Mirabelli, 94, died Feb. 21 in Moline.

Born in Chicago, he graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park. He made his first vows in 1952 and was ordained in 1960.

Father Mirabelli earned a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa, and a master’s degree in American history from Loyola University Chicago. He taught in Peoria before serving as business manager and teacher at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1961-1966). After that, he ministered in Rock Island.

He is survived by his sister, Marianna Dituro.

Father James W. Kinn, 94, died Feb. 8. He was the pastor emeritus of Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein.

Born in Chicago, Father Kinn attended Maternity BVM School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1957. He also earned a master’s degree in math education from DePaul University.

After being ordained, he continued his studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake before serving as assistant pastor at St. Victor, Calumet City. He then resided at St. Bartholomew Parish, St. Bridget Parish and Our Lady of Charity Parish, Cicero, while teaching math, German and religion at Quigley North.

He then was associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle before being named pastor of St. Bride in 1978. In 1982, he was named pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo, a post he held until he retired in 2002 and was named pastor emeritus.

Deacon Charles J. “Chuck” Woods Sr., 84, died Feb. 1 in Naperville, where he had lived since 1990. He was ordained in 1987 and served at St. Odilo Parish, Berwyn. He was incardinated in the Diocese of Joliet in 1997, where he served at St. Raphael Parish.

Born in Chicago, Deacon Woods attended Kelly High School, the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn and the University of St. Francis in Joliet, and worked for Western Electric, AT&T and Lucent Technologies from 1962 to1996.

In 2000, he earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago and was a social worker at Joliet Area Community Hospice until 2007. He also volunteered at Edward Hospital, Naperville, and Morton Arboretum, Lisle.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; his children Chuck Jr., Nancy, Dennis and Patrick; and five grandchildren.

Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate Sister Mary (Mary Angelita) Remias, 85, died Dec. 28, 2025, in Warwick, New York.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Our Lady of Angels and St. Mary’s High School before entering the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in 1958 and professing perpetual vows in 1966.

Sr. Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Mundelein College and a master’s degree in religious education from the Archdiocesan Catechetical Institute at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York.

During her early years of ministry, Sr. Mary served in catechetical missions and family missionary visitation in New York, Boston and Pennsylvania, and supervised sisters in formation in New York.

In 1974, Sister Mary became the apostolate director for the congregation, a post she held for many years. She was also a formation director for postulants and junior professed Sisters.

In 1990, she traveled to Nigeria to help ascertain the viability of a mission there. That mission was opened the following year.

For 20 years, Sister Mary served as a general councilor for  the congregation. She also served as a local superior in convents in New York City and New York state and in Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Remias.

Father Edwin D. Pacocha, 89, died Jan. 24. He was pastor emeritus of St. Cornelius, now part of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Pacocha attended St. John Berchmans School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1962.

After ordination, he was assistant pastor of St. Priscilla; St. Mary of Czestochowa, Cicero; St. Mary, Buffalo Grove;  and St. John Vianney; Northlake. He was associate pastor of St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge. He served as pastor at St. Cornelius for more than 20 years until he retired in 2008 and was named pastor emeritus.

Father Richard Yanos, pastor at Queen of Peace Parish in Chicago, had known “Father Ed” when Father Pacocha assisted at St. Eugene Parish as a retired priest.

 “He was a hardworking priest, and even though he was retired he was always willing to do what was needed at the parish,” Yanos said. “He helped with daily Masses, weekend Masses, confessions at the parish and at the school. The students loved him.”

Yanos added, “Among our parishioners, he was known as ‘Fast Eddy’ because his Masses were always short.”

Providence Sister Dorothy (Margaret Eugene) Gartland, 96, died Dec. 25 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Missouri, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1948 and professed final vows in 1955.

She taught in Illinois, Indiana and Washington, D.C., and was an advocate and worked in various parish ministries.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Immaculate Conception (1953-1955) and St. Mel (1969-1974). She worked at the 8th Day Center for Justice (1974-1986) and lived and ministered at Maternity BVM Parish (1986-2018).

She returned to the motherhouse in 2018 and in 2024, she dedicated herself totally to the ministry of prayer.

Sister Dorothy is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Kunkel, and three brothers: Eugene, William and John Gartland.

Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Sister Joan Kathleen (Colette) Fisher, 95, died Dec. 27 in Donaldson, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1951. 

She was an elementary school and Montessori teacher in Indiana and Illinois, including at Angel Guardian Orphanage.

In 1978, she founded the Daystar Program in Cairo, Illinois, to bring hope to people who were poor, elderly or otherwise disadvantaged, and in 1997, she was one of the founders of Sojourner Truth House for women and children in Gary, Indiana.

Sister Joan was also director of the Poor Handmaid Associate Community from 1986 to 1992. In 2002, she moved to the Poor Handmaid Motherhouse to minister to her mother, who then lived at Catherine Kasper Nursing Home. In 2006, Sister Joan was asked to become a member of the Catherine’s Cottage Supportive Community.

Felician Sister Mary Lourdine (Irene) Lachowski, 101, died on Jan. 6 at Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Born in Joliet, she joined the Felician Sisters aspirancy in 1938 and attended Good Counsel High School.  She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1942 and professed her final vows in 1950. She ministered for over 50 years as a teacher and principal in elementary schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. Later, she was active in Mercy Home Phone Ministry.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1942-1943); St. Joseph (1944-1949); St. Bruno (1952-1953); St. Wenceslaus (1953-1960); Ascension (1963-1971); Holy Innocents (1971-1972); St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1972-1982); and Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1982-2004); and Mercy Home for Boys & Girls (2004-2020).

Sister of St. Joseph of Carondolet Virginia Anne (Mary Patricia) Fannin, 96, died Jan. 14 in St. Louis.

Born in Chicago, Sister Virginia Anne entered the community in 1948 and made her final profession in 1956.

Sister Virginia Anne spent her first 19 years of ministry working in education in Missouri, Hawaii, Alabama and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Viator Grade School (1966-1967).

She then served as a medical records technician in Michigan and Missouri, before returning to Chicago as a receptionist at DePaul University (1978-1979).

She spent the next 21 years at St. Viator school and parish as a religious education instructor (1979-1992), librarian (1970-1998) and parish sacristan (1996-2000).

From 2000 to 2003, she served at Our Lady of the Nativity as a receptionist and a volunteer librarian and tutor.

Mercy Sister Elizabeth (Betty) Campbell, 91, died Jan. 18.

Born in Wisconsin, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1955 and professed perpetual vows in 1961.

Sister Betty ministered in solidarity with the Latin American community in both Central America and the United States for more than 60 years, denouncing human rights violations, criticizing U.S. foreign policies that undermined democratic movements in Latin America and conducting consciousness-raising workshops about the effects of these policies on the poor.

Sister Betty received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Xavier College (now University) in 1960. She ministered at two Sisters of Mercy-affiliated hospitals, in Chicago and in Davenport, Iowa, before going to Sicuani, Peru, in 1962. During her 11 years there, she met Carmelite priest Father Peter Hinde, with whom she would minister and advocate for 56 years, until his death from COVID-19 in 2020.

Over the course of her ministry, Sister Betty and Hinde helped start Catholic Worker communities named Casa Tabor in Washington, D.C.; San Antonio; and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

She also returned to Central America, working in medical clinics in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras.

In 1980, Sister Betty responded to St. Óscar Romero’s call for volunteers to assist the people of El Salvador, and established clinics in the basements of two parish churches in San Salvador, the capital. While in El Salvador, Sister Betty met and became friends with Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford and Maura Clarke, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan, the four American churchwomen who were raped and murdered by the El Salvador National Guard on Dec. 2, 1980.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Alban (Marjorie Elizabeth) Hermes, 98, died Jan. 18 in Racine, Wisconsin.

Born in Illinois, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin; a master’s degree in educational administration from DePaul University; and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Loyola University Chicago.

Sister Alban was a teacher and pastoral minister. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Sabina; Visitation; St. Thomas More; St. Patrick, Lemont; and St. Mary, Evanston.

She was also a pastoral minister at St. Mary Parish, Evanston. She spent the last 28 years of ministry at Our Lady of Knock Parish, Calumet City, where she taught RCIA, led Bible study and ran a food pantry as well as a meal site.

She also ministered in Illinois and in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Alabama.

She is survived by her sister, Ursula Zerbe.

 

 

 

Deacon Samuel E. Pincich, 85, of Glenview, died Dec. 23. He was ordained in 1984 and served at St. Isaac Jogues, Niles, now part of All Saints Parish in Morton Grove; and St. Zachary Parish, Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, he moved to Glenview and began his banking career in 1960. He retired from the American Bankers Association in 2023. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963 and served in the Signal Corps in Ankara, Turkey, until 1965. He was a member of the Optimist International service club and Toastmasters and was president of his local United Way chapter.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa, and his children Samuel Pincich, Steven Pincich, and Susan Pincich Cahill. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Fritz Long.

Deacon James Condill, 87, of Barrington, died Dec. 24. He was ordained in 1979 and served at St. Anne, Barrington, and started a deacon truck stop ministry.< p/> Born in Elgin and raised in Barrington, Deacon Condill attended Salem Methodist Church. He graduated from Barrington High School and continued his basketball career at Montana State University.

He married his wife, Mary Ellen Harrer, in 1960 at St. Anne Church in Barrington in 1960, and became a parishioner there after becoming Catholic.

He worked in heating and air conditioning before beginning a career in the retirement community world, working at Friendship Village in Schaumburg and for the company that opened the Breakers at Edgewater Beach. He then worked for the Cenacle Sisters, overseeing operations at the Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center in Chicago.

Deacon Condill was predeceased by his wife. He is survived his children J.B. Condill, Jeffrey Condill, Courtney Condill-Peterson and Devyn Kelly; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

 

Dominican Sister Mary Helen (Mary Christiana) Schmitz, 88, died Dec. 13 at her home in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, she professed vows as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1957.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Thomas the Apostle School. She also taught in other Illinois communities and in New York, Iowa and Wisconsin.

She also provided private elder and childcare to families in the Madison, Wisconsin, area. She is survived by two sisters, Jean Norman and Betty Meyers.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Melissa Waters, 95, died Dec. 21 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in New York City, Sister Melissa was raised in Washington, D.C., before entering the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1950. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Rosary College, River Forest; a master’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota; and a doctorate in ministry from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in Dubuque, Iowa.

She taught in Illinois, New York, Minnesota and Alabama. She served in congregation leadership as director of ongoing formation and then as provincial until 1980, when, after having completed her doctorate, she was called to Rosary College, now known as Dominican University, where she served for 38 years. She was an English teacher, associate dean for advising, assistant professor and administrator of the Rosary in London program. She retired in 2018.

“Sister Melissa’s great gift was establishing and continuing relationships with every group of people on campus, particularly students,” said Dominican Sister Marcella Hermesdorf, professor emerita of English at Dominican University. “The students loved her and she was a great advocate for them. She was so supportive and affirming to all. You never left Sr. Melissa’s office without feeling better about yourself and any situation you were dealing with.”

She is survived by her brother, Richard.

Father James L. Barrett, 79, died Dec. 15. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Evanston, and St. Margaret Mary Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended Brother Rice High School; St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota; the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary; and Loyola University Chicago.

After being ordained in 1982, Father Barrett served as associate pastor of St. Luke, River Forest; St. Zachary, Des Plaines; and Queen of All Saints Basilica. He was pastor of St. Joan of Arc for about 10 years and of St. Margaret Mary for another 10 years before he retired.

Father Jeremiah Boland remembered his close friend as the consummate parish priest. “He loved the rhythm of parish life,” Boland said. “He set deep roots wherever he served, cultivating many lifelong friends. He was a Vatican II priest through and through. He really believed in building community and bringing people together.”

Deacon Carlos Soria, 92, died Dec. 17. He was ordained in 1978 and ministered at St. Sylvester Parish, now part of Jesus, Bread of Life Parish.

Born in Torreon, Mexico, he was a professional cyclist and had a deep love for woodworking, according to his family.

Deacon Soria is survived by his wife, Leticia, and their children George, Maria, Alejandra, Carlos, Steve, Patricia and Moses; 18 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Deacon Guido Pozo Sr., 80, died Dec. 23. He was ordained in 2001 and ministered at the former Resurrection Parish, now part of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, and St. Alphonsus Parish (Wellington Avenue).

Born in Ecuador, Deacon Pozo practiced law there and taught bilingual education in Chicago, in addition to serving as a deacon.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Eugenia; his children Mariana Ruiz, Guido Pozo Jr. and Daniel Pozo; and six grandchildren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Catherine (Jules) Meyering, 97, died Dec. 7 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Evanston, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1952. She earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Rosary College, now Dominican University, in River Forest, and a master’s degree in French from Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

For 32 years, she taught at Trinity High School, River Forest. She also taught in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa. She ministered for five years at Holy Family Hospital, Des Plaines, before retiring to the motherhouse in 2007.

School Sister of St. Francis Gwen Floryance, 97, died Dec. 10 in Milwaukee.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Gwen entered the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1946 and made her final vows in 1954.

Beginning in 1950, Sister Gwen ministered in Illinois and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Joseph, Wilmette (1957-1962), and at Blessed Agnes (now St. Agnes of Bohemia) (1962-1963).

Sister Gwen retired in 2004 and ministered through her art and through prayer and presence in Milwaukee at St. Joseph Center (2004-2019) and at Sacred Heart retirement home since 2019.

She is survived by her sister, Loretta Lieske.

Franciscan Sister of Chicago Mary Francine (Theresa) Labus, 89, died Dec. 15.

She was born in Chicago and began as a postulant in her congregation while attending Madonna High School. She professed first vows in 1953 and final vows in 1960.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr and St. Louise de Marillac, La Grange Park.

She studied at Loyola University Chicago and ministered in novice direction for her community before serving as principal and superior at St. Pancratius, teaching at Madonna High School and then serving as principal at Five Holy Martyrs.

She then served in the leadership of her congregation, including as a councilor and secretary general. She later ministered in Crown Point, Indiana, and worked in formation and mission integration.

She retired in 2013.