-
Sr. Mary J. Beaubien
Adrian Dominican Sister Mary J. (Clare Olivia) Beaubien, 95, died Oct. 25 in Adrian, Michigan.
Born in Adrian, she was in the 78th year of her religious life.
Sister Beaubien ministered in all levels of education years in Illinois, Michigan, Florida and Ohio, and in community development and teacher training in Mogwase and Kroonstad, South Africa.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Celestine, Elmwood Park.
She is survived by her sister, Margaret Simonis.
-
Sr. Marlene Kuhnlein
Adrian Dominican Sister Marlene (Anthony Irene) Kuhnlein, 89, died Oct. 28 in Adrian, Michigan.
Born in Chicago, she was in her 72nd year of religious life.
Sister Marlene was a teacher; residential home staff member, case worker and social worker; pastoral counselor and bereavement companion; and secretary in Michigan, Illinois, Florida, New Mexico and Arizona.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Albert the Great, Oak Lawn (1962-1966); Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1966-1967); St. Laurence (1967-1969); St. James, Maywood (1969-1972); and Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1972-1974).
-
Sr. Dorothy Victor
Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Dorothy (Rita Cascia) Victor, 93, died Oct. 28 in Milwaukee.
Born in Rockford, she made her first religious profession in 1950, and her perpetual profession in 1953. She was a teacher and principal, and spent seven years as a missionary in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In the U.S., she ministered in Illinois, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and Florida.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Dorothy taught at St. Philip Benizi (1950-1956), St. Jarlath (1963-1966) and St. Basil (1978-1980).
-
Sr. Marillac Grabinski
Daughter of Charity Sister Marillac (Mildred Elizabeth) Grabinski, 94, died Oct. 30 in Evansville, Indiana.
Born in Chicago, she graduated from Good Counsel High School in 1947 and entered the Daughters of Charity in St. Louis in 1951.
After initial formation, Sister Marillac taught at elementary schools in Missouri, Alabama, Utah and Illinois. She also served as a docent at the Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg, Maryland; worked in social services and as a parish visitor and as an outreach minister.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis de Sales School in Lake Zurich (1980) and worked at Marillac Social Center (1980, 1986-1989) and St. Joseph Hospital (1989-1994).
-
Sr. Loretta Picucci
Providence Sister Loretta Picucci, 82, died Nov. 9 in Providence Health Care in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Sister Loretta was born in Chicago and attended Our Lady of Sorrows School and Providence High School. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1964 and professed final vows in 1976.
In her 59 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a primary teacher, assistant director of a day nursery, outreach minister, family care professional and teacher of English as a second language.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mel (1972-1977); was assistant director of St. Columbkille Day Nursery (1981-1983); and was an aide with Family Care Services (1994-1999).
Sister Loretta is survived by a sister, Josephine Mooney.
-
Fr. Thomas A. Moran
Father Thomas A. Moran, 78, died Nov. 8. He was pastor emeritus of Our Lady of the Brook Parish in Northbrook, now known as St. Norbert-Our Lady of the Brook Parish.
Born in Chicago, Father Moran attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1971.
He served as assistant pastor of St. Joseph the Worker, Wheeling, and St. Bonaventure, then as associate pastor of St. Ita; St. Thecla; St. Tarcissus; St. John Brebeuf, Niles; and St. Marcelline, Schaumburg.
He was pastor of St. Hugh, Lyons, from 1995 to 2005, and Our Lady of the Brook from 2005 to 2014, when he became pastor emeritus.
Deacon Peery Duderstadt from St. Norbert-Our Lady of the Brook Parish had been friends with Moran for 60 years.
“Father Tom was always interested in archaeology, particularly Egyptology. Every year he would go to the Biblical Archaeology Society Convention and in 2006 he and I started going together,” Duderstadt said. Father Moran loved biblical archaeology so much that his sermons were always laced with references to it, Duderstadt said.
-
Deacon Daniel Troy
Deacon Daniel Troy, 91, died Oct. 27. He was ordained in 1984 and served at Holy Ghost Parish in South Holland.
Deacon Troy, formerly of South Holland, was a professor of mathematics at Purdue University Calumet, a chaplain at Owasippe Scout Reservation and a PADS volunteer.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Anne; his children Leonard Troy, Kathleen Smyser, Joseph Troy, Stephen Troy, Patrick Troy and Jean Swenson; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
-
Deacon Joseph Krakora
Deacon Joseph G. Krakora, 97, died Nov. 3. He was ordained in 1978 and served at St. Mary Parish, Lake Forest.
Born in Chicago, he was raised in Berwyn. He attended Michigan State University, where he played basketball, and married his wife, Marie, in 1949.
He worked as an auditor for Shell Oil, working in several states, and then joined Payco American, and he and Marie and their six children settled in Lake Forest.
He discerned his vocation to the diaconate after the death of his fourth child, Eileen, in 1975.
He and Marie worked with young couples preparing for marriage and he presided over numerous marriage ceremonies and baptized hundreds of babies, including his grandchildren and some of his great-grandchildren. He also served as associate director of the Office of the Diaconate.
In addition to Eileen, Deacon Krakora was preceded in death by Marie in 2012 and his son Brian four years later. He is survived by his children Janice Krakora-Looby, Susan Krakora, Joseph Krakora and Kevin Krakora; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
-
Deacon Thomas Carvlin
Deacon Thomas R. Carvlin, 97, died Oct. 21.
He was ordained in 1977 and served at the former Ascension-St. Susanna Parish, now part of Lord of Mercy Parish, in Harvey.
Deacon Carvlin served in France and Germany during and after World War II, including showing Holocaust footage to German citizens.
He met his wife of 71 years, “Tommy,” after moving to Chicago. At the Chicago Tribune, he was national news editor during the Nixon administration and the 1968 Democratic Convention.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen Evanne (nee Thomas); sister Joyce Murphy; children Mary Carvlin, Peter Carvlin, Anne Bridges, Martha Carvlin, Monica Regan and Elizabeth Carvlin Fuesel; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
-
Br. Al Kuntemeier
Marianist Brother Al Kuntemeier, 92, died Oct. 13 in San Antonio, Texas.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Brother Al was in religious life for 75 years.
He taught at Marianist high schools in Missouri and Indiana and served as vocation director for his province before teaching, coaching and serving as a counselor at St. Michael High School in Chicago (1972-1976).
He then taught and coached at high schools in Oklahoma and Texas, retiring from teaching in 2014 at 83 to serve the Marianist Residence Community in San Antonio and as chaplain to the St. Mary’s University tennis team.
-
Sr. Patricia Crowley
Benedictine Sister Patricia (Patrick) Crowley, 84, died Oct. 14 at St. Scholastica Monastery.
She was born and raised in Wilmette and attended St. Joseph School. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in September 1958 and made her final vows in 1965.
She taught at St. Lambert, Skokie; Queen of All Saints; and St. Scholastica Academy. She also served as executive director of the Howard Area Community Center, Deborah’s Place and Chicago Continuum of Care; prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago; and board president of Bethany House of Hospitality. She was a spiritual director and ministered to homeless women through the Ignatian Spirituality Project.
-
Sr. M. Diane Marie Collins
Franciscan Sister of Chicago M. Diane Marie Collins, 73, died Aug. 4.
Sister Diane Marie entered the congregation in 1968, made her first vows in 1971 and professed perpetual vows in 1977.
She served at Madonna High School from 1973 to 1991, teaching from 1973 to 1986, then serving as the school social worker after earning a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago. She also served as local superior (1990-1991).
After moving to the Lemont motherhouse, she served as formation director (1991-1994) and formation team member (1995-1999); general vicar (1993-1998); chair of Franciscan Village/Mother Theresa Home Board of Directors (1993-1998); St. Anthony Medical Center board of directors (1993-1999); chairman of Madonna High School board of directors (1994-2001).
She was general councilor and general secretary (1998-2003) while serving as principal of Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Indiana. She served in a variety of positions in community leadership, including general minister (2003-2013), chair of Region 3 of the Franciscan Federation (2004-2006); second vice president (2006-2007) vice president (2007-2008) and president (2008-2009).
She also was a campus minister in Chicago (2013-2019) and evangelization director at St. John Berchmans Parish (2019-2023).
-
Sr. Joan Marconi
Sister Joan (Joseph Elaine) Marconi, 89, died Sept. 14 in Adrian, Michigan.
Born in Boston, she was in the 73rd year of her religious life.
Sister Joan ministered in elementary and secondary education, occupational therapy and administration in Michigan, Illinois and Florida.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Aquinas High School (1961-1967).
-
Sr. Emeric Bauch
Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Emeric Bauch, 96, died Sept. 21 in Footville, Wisconsin.
Born in Minnesota, Sister Emeric made her first religious profession in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She served as a culinary artist and as a nurse’s aide and licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Wyoming, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, South Carolina and Georgia.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Emeric served as culinary artist at St. Vincent Ferrer Convent, River Forest (1957-1959), and Visitation Convent (1967-1968).
-
Fr. Albert R. Adamich
Father Albert R. Adamich, 101, died Sept. 21. He was pastor emeritus of Queen of Peace Parish in North Chicago, now part of Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan, and the oldest priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago when he died.
Father Al, as he was known, was born in Joliet and attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein before being ordained in 1948. He celebrated 75 years of priestly service in May 2023.
After ordination, Father Adamich was assistant pastor of Mother of God, Waukegan; St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates; and St. Symphorosa. He also served as moderator of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women in 1979. Later, he was associate pastor of Most Holy Redeemer, Evergreen Park, and pastor of Mother of God for 20 years. He was named pastor emeritus in 1992.
Father Adamich resided at Most Holy Redeemer after his retirement was a beloved figure in the parish.
Father James Hyland, pastor of Most Holy Redeemer, remembered Father Adamich’s great love of the Mass and the Eucharist.
“He really loved what he did as a priest,” Hyland said, “and even in retirement he continued to minister to the people in the parish.”
“He’s such an inspiration,” Deacon Mark Phelan told Chicago Catholic in 2022, for an article featuring Father Al’s 100th birthday celebration at the parish. He’s a man of God. He prays for everyone. He prays constantly,” Phelan said. “He’s just the most wonderful man I ever met. He really is.”
Longtime parishioner Winnie Ligda said in 2022 that Father Al didn’t want any kind of celebration for his centenary, but parishioners overruled him.
“We all looked at him and said, ‘Too bad for you,’” Ligda joked. “He’s a good man,” she said.
When Ligda’s husband was ill, Father Al visited him in the hospital, in the nursing home and at her own home.
“He came repeatedly, and he was just wonderful. He was that way with all the parishioners. He’s a very kind, loving and compassionate man,” she said.
On the same occasion, Father Adamich said the secret to his long life was intercessory prayer.
“If you have to pay people to pray for you, do so,” he quipped. “Never pass up the chance to ask people to pray for you.”
-
Fr. Steven W. Patte
Father Steven W. Patte, 79, died Sept. 20. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of St. Ita Parish.
Born in Chicago, Father Patte attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1969.
After ordination, Father Patte was assistant pastor of Holy Name Cathedral, St. Joseph, Wilmette; and Church of the Holy Spirit, Schaumburg.
He also served as associate pastor of St. Zachary, Des Plaines; St. Joseph, Round Lake; St. Mary of Vernon, Indian Creek; and St. Emily, Mount Prospect. He was pastor of St. Helena of the Cross and St. Ita Parish. In addition, he was a professor at St. Mary of the Lake University for two years.
He retired from ministry in 2015.
Father Leon J. Rezula, pastor emeritus of St. Julian Eymard in Elk Grove Village, was a classmate of Father Patte. “He was a very hard-working, zealous priest with a variety of experience,” Rezula said.
-
Deacon John L. Malone
Deacon John “Jack” L. Malone, 89, died Sept. 4. He was ordained in 1987 and served at St. Germaine Parish, Oak Lawn.
He also served as a chaplain at Cook County Jail and Little Company of Mary Hospital for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary; his children Jack Malone, Kathy Walsh, Ruth Turner, Michael Malone, Sheila Brew and Dan Malone; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
-
Sr. Mary Odelle Siskoski
Felician Sister Mary Odelle (Veronica) Siskoski, 92, died Aug 17, at Swedish/North Shore Hospital.
Born in Michigan, she attended elementary school there. When her family moved to Chicago, she attended Parker School and St. Joseph High School. She entered the Felician Sisters in 1950 and professed her final vows in 1958. She ministered in elementary schools as a teacher and principal in Illinois, Wisconsin and Brazil for over 30 years. Later, she also ministered in supportive services at Felician Senior Living Community in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, for 22 years.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1952-1953, 1990-1994); St. Turibius (1955-1957); Sts. Peter and Paul (1957-1959, 1986-1987); St. Hedwig, Niles (1959-1960); St. Isidore, Blue Island (1960-1961); Holy Innocents (1962-1964); St. John of God (1964-1965); and St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1972-1973).
Sr. Larina Williams
-
Sr. Larina Williams
School Sister of St. Francis Larina Williams, 87, died Aug. 17 at West Allis Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin.
Born in Chicago, Sister Larina was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1956, made her first profession of vows in 1958 and her final vows in 1964.
Beginning in 1958, Sister Larina ministered in the Archdiocese of Chicago for more than half a century. She taught at Holy Angels School in her home parish (1958-1960, 1964-1972 and 1985-2000) and was assistant principal there (2000-2006). She also taught at St. Martin (1960-1962) and St. Clara (1962-1964), taught and was assistant principal at St. Kilian (1972-1984) and taught at Ascension/St. Susanna School in Harvey (1984-1985).
In her retirement, Sister Larina resided in a local convent in Homer Glen (2007-2013) and in Milwaukee.
Sister Larina is survived by her brothers Herbert and Michael and sisters Latoski McCarty and Monica Waters.
-
Fr. Richard Pighini
Viatorian Father Richard J. Pighini, 79, died Aug. 21 at Addolorata Villa in Wheeling.
A Viatorian for 43 years, Father Richard made his first vows in 1980 and was ordained a priest in 1985.
He attended Maine East High School in Park Ridge before earning a bachelor’s degree in communication design from University of Illinois and a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union. He served in the Peace Corps in Hawaii (1967-1969), taught at Illinois high schools before being ordained and ministered in parishes in Kankakee and Bourbonnais after ordination.
He moved to the retirement community at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights in 2022. He was always known for his care for the liturgy, as well as the beauty of the gardens and landscapes of the parish grounds.
Father Richard is survived by his sisters, Carlotta Polenzani and Claudette Schmied of Naperville.
Sign up for our email newsletter
Advertising