Divine Word Father Gary Riebe-Estrella, 79, died June 2 in Techny. He was Catholic Theological Union’s first Latino vice president and academic dean.

Born in Los Angeles, he entered Divine Word Seminary in Riverside, California, in 1959. He professed vows in 1968 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971.

In Chicago, he studied at DePaul University and Catholic Theological Union. He received his master’s degree in theology from DePaul.

He served in pastoral ministry and leadership roles in the society’s Western Province before earning a doctorate in practical theology from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain, in 1992. The following year, he returned to the Chicago Province to serve as a professor at CTU.

In 1996, he became one of the first Latinos in the United States to hold a major leadership position in a premiere theological school. He served as the vice president and academic dean of CTU for 12 years and is credited with cultivating a racially, ethnically and culturally diverse faculty.

A longtime member of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, he served as president of the organization from 1996 to 1997 and again from 2009 to 2010.

Father Riebe-Estrella’s pastoral work with Hispanic communities and decades of scholarship and leadership in theological education led to opportunities throughout his ministry to work with religious orders, organizations and higher education as a consultant in areas of diversity, formation and theological education.

He founded and served as director of the formation house Casa Guadalupe in East Los Angeles and was appointed by the generalate to positions in the PANAM Zone, which encompasses North and South America.

In 2014, he was transferred back to the Western Province.

Father Riebe-Estrella returned to live in Techny in 2025.

Divine Word Father William Seifert, 85, died June 21 in Techny. He was an anthropologist and missionary in Papua New Guinea for more than 30 years.

Born in Pittsburgh, he entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1957, professed vows in 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1967.

Father Seifert earned a doctorate in anthropology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., before being assigned to the Anthropos Institute, headquartered near Bonn, Germany, and sent to Papua New Guinea as one of the Melanesian Pastoral Institute’s first staff members.

Father Seifert specialized in urbanization and urban pastoral practice. For eight years, he contributed to the institute through his writings, research, courses and workshops. He then founded a parish in Goroko, Papua New Guinea, managed the Goroka Diocese’s finance office and the conference and pastoral center, served as liaison with the Papua New Guinea immigration and labor departments for entry permits and represented the diocese in dealings with the Papua New Guinea Lands Department.

He then served as vicar general, diocesan administrator and episcopal vicar.

He also served as director of the Overseas Training Program (also known as Cross-Cultural Training Program) for seminarians from other countries for 15 years and as a hospital and prison chaplain.

Father Seifert had been living in the Divine Word Residence in Techny since 2006. In semi-retirement, he served as assistant novice director from 2009 to 2018.

He is survived by his brother, Daniel Seifert.

Sister of St. Joseph Grace Sbrissa, 86, died June 23.

In religious life for 68 years, Sister Grace taught math in many schools and was a dominant presence at Nazareth Academy. She also served the congregation as an administrator and treasurer.

She is survived by her sisters Sister of St. Joseph Joellen Sbrissa, Toni Gillette and Sandi Szymborski.

Providence Sister Joan (Joan Patrice) Kirkpatrick, 92, died July 9 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Colorado, Sister Joan entered the Sisters of Providence in 1956 and professed final vows in 1964. In her 69 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 18 years in Indiana, Illinois and California. In 1974, she was asked to come to the Motherhouse to serve as treasurer of the Sacred Heart Province and manage the motherhouse operations.  After eight years in this ministry, she returned to California where she continued serving in a business capacity at several institutions.   

Having earned a master’s degree in counseling, she did a five-year psychotherapist internship in California and then returned to Indiana, where she served as a counselor.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught mathematics at Providence High School.

She is survived by a sister, Lynn Poole, and brother, Rob Kirkpatrick.

Father John Walter Roller, 91, died June 28. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor emeritus of St. Thomas Becket Parish in Mount Prospect.

Born in Chicago, he attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1960.

After ordination, he was assistant pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein; St. Luke, River Forest; St. Ann, Lansing; and St. Benedict (Irving Park Road). He was associate pastor of St. Athanasius, Evanston, and St. Theresa, Palatine.

Father Roller went on to become pastor and then pastor emeritus of St. Thomas Becket Parish in Mount Prospect. He served as a retired resident at St. Thomas Becket and St. Emily in Mount Prospect. Roller celebrated his 65th anniversary and completed his final Mass on May 3.

Father Michael Grzesik, an archdiocesan priest and friend of Father Roller, said he remembers the love and respect he received from the communities he served, and he remembers Father Roller’s boisterous and authoritative voice.

“When he spoke, people listened,” Grzesik said. “When he gave homilies, he told great stories and he engaged the people and really brought them closer to Christ.”

Viatorian Father Arnold E. Perham, 95, died June 21 at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights.

Born in Chicago,  Father Perham grew up in St. Viator Parish and graduated from St. Mel High School.  He pronounced his first vows in 1948 and was ordained in 1956. 

Father Perham earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Loyola University Chicago; a master’s degree in mathematics from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

After teaching in Springfield, he taught at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1962-1968). He then taught at Loyola University Chicago (1968-1973) while serving as director of scholastics. He returned to St. Viator High School in 1973 and taught there until 2010. From 2011 to 2019,  he volunteered in the Math Lab at the school, and from 2020 to 2025 he volunteered remotely by sending practice tests and study guides to members of the Math Club at St. Viator High School.

He is survived by his sister, Faustine Perham.

Augustinian Father Richard Allen Young, 61, was born in Oak Lawn.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Quincy College, a master of divinity degree from St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, and a doctorate in ministry from Catholic Theological Union.

Father Young was received into the Franciscan novitiate in 1989, professed simple vows the following year and professed solemn vows in 1993 before being ordained a priest in 1995. He served as a Franciscan in Roswell, New Mexico.

He was separated from the Franciscans in 2002 and began the process for incardination into the Archdiocese of Chicago. As a priest with the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served as associate pastor of St. Ita Parish (2005-2009).

He was admitted to Augustinian initial formation in 2009. He began his Augustinian novitiate in 2010, professing temporary vows in 2011 and solemn vows in 2014.

During his time in the Augustinian pre-novitiate, he taught at St. Rita of Cascia High School and continued teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the religious studies department of DePaul University (2001-2009).

He was assigned to St. Rita of Cascia High School Monastery from 2011 to 2013, teaching, serving St. Rita’s campus ministry and serving as director of Augustinian mission at the school.

In 2013, Father Young moved to Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, where he was a member of the faculty and campus ministry. He served as administrator of St. Rita Parish in Racine, Wisconsin (2015-2016), and then returned to Providence Catholic, eventually becoming theology department chair.

He also assisted at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orland Park (2016-2025), served as the Midwest Augustinian province liturgical director from January 2013 through June 2022 and served as province director of Augustinian mission and ministry from July 2018 through June 2024.

He is survived by his father, Richard Young, and his brother, Steven Young.

Archbishop John Vlazny, 88, died May 23 in Beaverton, Oregon.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Gall School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1961. He also studied at the North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, earning a baccalaureate in sacred theology in 1960 and a licentiate of sacred theology in 1962.

He served as associate pastor of St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge; St. Clement; and St. Aloysius, where he was also pastor.

He was also on the faculty and dean of students at Quigley North, and earned master’s degrees in classics from the University of Michigan and school administration from Loyola University Chicago. In 1981, he was appointed rector of Niles College Seminary.

In 1983, Archbishop Vlazny was named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and served as episcopal vicar of Vicariate I. Four years later, he was named bishop of Winona, Minnesota.

In 1997, he was named archbishop of Portland, Oregon, where he succeeded Cardinal Francis George. He served as archbishop of Portland until his retirement in 2013.

Father Harold B. Murphy, 88, died May 13. He was pastor emeritus of the former St. Timothy Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Murphy attended St. George High School in Evanston, Loyola University Chicago and Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, and he earned a master’s degree in English at Northwestern University.

He was ordained in 1968, and he served as assistant pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Oak Park; St. James, Arlington Heights; and St. Monica. He became pastor of St. Timothy in 1986 and served there for 20 years. He also taught part-time at Loyola University and other institutions.

Deacon Dennis Renk, 83, died May 4 in Florida. He was ordained in 1976.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Augustine School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He entered a Franciscan community before leaving to marry and have a family.

He worked as a hospital chef and food distributor on the South Side of Chicago before he retired.

He was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Beach, 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Deacon Michael McNulty, 93, died May 6. He was ordained in 1979 and ministered at Divine Mercy Parish, formerly Sacred Heart Parish, Winnetka.

A lifelong parishioner at Divine Mercy, Deacon McNulty knew every pastor of Sacred Heart and then Divine Mercy Parish. After being ordained a deacon, he sold the family business, McNulty Paper Company, to devote himself to ministry.

He celebrated baptisms and funeral services and witnessed weddings, managed parish finances, spearheaded outreach efforts, instructed future deacons and was a field advocate for the Archdiocese of Chicago Marriage Tribunal.

He was predeceased by his wife of 34 years, Mimi. He is survived by his children Maureen Valvassori, Michael McNulty and Patrick McNulty; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Providence Sister Theresa Clare Carr, 93, died on May 5 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree from Indiana University.

Of her 75 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as teacher for 50 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California, then served as a catechist, substitute teacher and volunteer.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Mercy (1957-1962).

Sister Theresa Clare is survived by her brothers, Edward Carr, Cornelius (Bud) Carr and Michael Carr; and her sister, Catherine Warren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Therese (Loran) O’Malley, 98, died May 7 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1951. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; a master’s degree from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; and a doctorate from Columbia University, New York, all in mathematics.

Her ministry was dedicated to teaching. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, where she also was director of institutional research and a volunteer at the McGreal Center. She also taught elsewhere in Illinois, and in Connecticut, Wisconsin and Rhode Island.

Father Robert L. Tuzik, 77, died April 19. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former associate pastor of St. Colette Parish in Rolling Meadows, now part of St. Clare of Assisi Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Tuzik attended St. Tarcissus School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1973. In addition to his master of divinity, he earned a licentiate in sacred theology from Mundelein Seminary and a doctorate in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Father Tuzik served as assistant pastor of St. Mary Parish, Lake Forest, and as associate pastor of St. Linus, Oak Lawn; St. Zachary, Des Plaines; St. Joseph, Libertyville; and St. Colette. Father Tuzik was also pastor of St. Emily, Mount Prospect.

He served as adjunct faculty at Mundelein Seminary, teaching liturgy to seminarians and deacon candidates, and as a consultant to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Office for Divine Worship. He served also as a special consultant to the late Cardinal Francis George.

Deacon Richard Warfield, 83, died April 17. He was ordained in 1979 and served in a variety of ministries.

Deacon Warfield was a U.S. Army veteran and retired Chicago police officer. He served as a deacon with the Chicago Police chaplaincy unit, at the Ford City Catholic Center and in pastoral care at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou; his son, Richard; three grandchildren; and his brother, Charles.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Antonetta (Philomena) Martinka, 86, died April 13 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominican sisters in 1960.

Sister Antonetta’s ministry was dedicated to teaching in Illinois and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Luke School, River Forest, and taught and served as business officer at Trinity High School, River Forest. She also taught at St. Zachary School, Des Plaines, and St. Giles School, Oak Park, and she served as business officer at Divine Providence Convent, Des Plaines.

She is survived by her sister, Marie Gibbs; and her brother, Rudy Martinka.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Catherine (Alberto) St. Martin, 92, died April 19 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Minneapolis, Sister Mary Catherine made her religious profession in 1953. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, and a master’s degree in curriculum and administration from Saint Xavier University.

She taught and was principal at St. Giles, Oak Park, and taught at St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn; St. Thomas the Apostle; Epiphany; and St. Martin de Porres High School, Waukegan. She also was principal of St. Thomas More School.

Sister Mary Catherine also ministered as an administrator, assistant prioress and pastoral caregiver.

She is survived by a sister, Clare Foley.

Father John P. Lucas, 82, died April 5. A retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, he was the former judicial vicar with the Court of Appeals of the Province of Chicago.

Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Immaculata High School in Kansas, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Father Lucas was ordained to the priesthood in 1968, at St. Peter Basilica in Rome. He served as assistant pastor of St. Cyprian, River Grove; associate pastor of St. Edmund, Oak Park; and as judge at the Metropolitan Tribunal and at the Court of Appeals of the Province of Chicago.

Father Michael Bradley knew Father Lucas since 1993.

“I began working at the tribunal and got to work with him,” Bradley said. “He studied in Rome for his degree in canon law. He was fair-minded in applying the law and had a real gift in combining his canon law knowledge and expertise in pastoral ministry.

“When he had to decide on a possible marriage annulment, he did it with great deal of concern for all parties. They were not just cases for him, they were people.”

After retirement, Father Lucas continued to serve on appeal cases as the adjutant judicial vicar in charge of the Court of Second Instance of the Metropolitan Tribunal until his death.

Father George J. Kane, 99, died April 7. At the time of his death, he was the longest tenured priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor emeritus of Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg, now part of St. Gregory of Nyssa Parish.

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

He served as assistant pastor of Holy Rosary (113th Street), Holy Cross (65th Street), St. George (Wentworth Avenue) and St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates. He taught at St. Mary of the Lake University/Mundelein Seminary (1966-1972) and he was the founding pastor of Church of the Holy Spirit.

Between his assignments at Holy Cross and St. George parishes, Father Kane served as a U.S. Air Force chaplain from 1959 to 1963. He served in South Korea, ministering to fighter pilots preparing to go to Vietnam.

Father John Hoffman knew Father Kane since his seminary internship at Father Kane’s parish, more than 50 years ago.

“He was a great homilist, wicked smart and had a great sense of humor,” Hoffman said.

He added that Father Kane  was a supporter of women’s participation in the church and the Second Vatican Council.

“He believed in it, he believed it made such a difference for the laity, parishes and the church,” Hoffman noted. “He believed in Christ’s way of life for us and that it is Jesus Christ we seek, as Pope John Paul II said.”

During a January 2024 interview with Chicago Catholic, Father Kane looked back on his ministry in the archdiocese and impact of the Second Vatican Council. “I was hoping we would get away from this ultra-authoritarian mode the church had, and get into the way of Vatican II,” he said. “That struck me as a life-giving kind of a vision, and it correlated with the best I had in my seminary training.”

Father Patrick J. Lee, 74, died April 14. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on Belmont Avenue.

Born in Evergreen Park, Father Lee attended Marist High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1976.

He served as associate pastor of St. Christopher, Midlothian; St. Matthias; St. Giles, Oak Park; and Immaculate Conception Parish on North Park Avenue.

Father Lee served as pastor of both Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph parishes on North Orleans Street from 1987 to 2013, laying the groundwork for the combination of the two parishes, which merged in 2016. Before retiring, he served as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for nine years.

He was a faculty member at Quigley Preparatory Seminary from 1979 to 1986.

Father John Hoffman, who met Father Lee in the seminary, remembered his friend as a deeply spiritual priest who had a clear focus on ministering to the people in the parish.

“Especially when folks were ill, he would make visits to the hospitals. He was very loyal to the Church, and was not reluctant to challenges. He prayed often for the LGBTQ community.”

Father Lee was an advocate for the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach, or AGLO Chicago. During a Mass in 2023 that celebrated the 35th anniversary of the ministry, AGLO recognized Lee for his support since the group’s inception.

Adrian Dominican Sister Marilyn (Therese Noel) Francoeur, 88, died Feb. 22 in Adrian, Michigan.

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

Sister Marilyn spent 30 years ministering in education in Michigan, Illinois and the Dominican Republic. She also was an administrator and ministered in her congregation’s information office and archives.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was assistant treasurer (1977-1978) and treasurer (1978-1984) at Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette, and was administrator of the Parable Conference in River Forest.

She is survived by a sister, Herline Harm, and two brothers, Douglas and John Francoeur.

Viatorian Father Daniel T. Nolan, 76, died April 4 in Wheeling.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he attended Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He pronounced his first vows in 1973 and was ordained in 1983.

Father Nolan graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. He earned a bachelor’s in secondary education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

He moved to Illinois for the Viatorian novitiate and taught at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1972-1973), and attended classes at Loyola University Chicago (1973-1974). He then taught and was a school administrator in Rock Island, Illinois.

After ordination, he ministered in schools and parishes in Nevada. From 2002 to 2007, he was director of vocations (2002-2007), director of mission appeals (2002-2007) and director formation (2004-2007) for the Chicago Province in Arlington Heights.

After his service to the province, he worked in campus ministry and hospital pastoral care, including as a chaplain at Presence St. Joseph Hospital (2014-2017).

He moved to the Province Center in Arlington Heights in 2022, and to Addolorata Villa in Wheeling earlier this year.

He is survived by his brother, William Nolan.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Eleanor “Ellie” (Francesco) Hoffmann, 91, died April 7, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Lincoln, Illinois, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1954.

Sister Ellie’s ministry was dedicated to teaching, pastoral care and preaching in Wisconsin and Illinois. She served the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation as vicaress provincial of the eastern province and in vocation ministry and ministered as spiritual director and retreat leader at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa Mound. She was a mentor for many Dominican Associates of Sinsinawa.

She is survived by a brother, Father Robert Hoffmann.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Alice (Francis Alice) Naour, 91, died Jan. 9 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 73rd year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Alice ministered in elementary and secondary music education in Michigan, Illinois and Henderson, Nevada. She also served at the Dominican Motherhouse, where she was activities assistant, pastoral minister and an assistant in the liturgical ministries department.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1953-1954), St. Carthage (1954-1957), St. Columbanus (1957-1959) and St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1968), and was a residence moderator at Bishop Quarter (1967-1968).

Adrian Dominican Sister Kathleen (Charles Miriam) Walli, 87, died Jan. 25 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 64th year of her religious life.

Sister Kathleen ministered 19 years in elementary and secondary education in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Florida. She also served nine years as a college professor in Illinois and Michigan, two years as secretary of the congregation in Adrian and 15 years as a pastoral associate/religious education director in Wisconsin. Sister Kathleen became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2017.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary, Star of the Sea.

She is survived by her sisters Suzanne Condon, Joy Brock, Maribeth Czerwonka and Sheila Glodowski; and her brothers Douglas, Michael, Lance and Henry Walli.

School Sister of St. Francis Jesse Marie Mortimer, 91, died in Milwaukee on March 16.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Jesse Marie was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1954, made her first professions of vows in 1956 and perpetual vows in 1962.

Beginning in 1957, Sister Jesse Marie ministered in the archdioceses of Chicago, Omaha and Milwaukee. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Benedict High School from 1983 to 1989.

Sister Jesse Marie is survived by her brothers, John and Eugene Mortimer.

Providence Sister Joan Mary (Mary Ann) Schaefer, 95, died March 20 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Cicero, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1948 and professed final vows in 1956. In her 76 years as a Sister of Providence, she taught for 46 years in schools in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Massachusetts, including 21 years as a principal. Retiring from full-time teaching in 1998, she continued to substitute in the Chicago area.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Sorrows (1968-1969), was principal of Immaculate Conception (1975-1989), taught at St. Francis Borgia (1990-1992) and at Providence-St. Mel (1992-1998).

In 2017, she moved to the motherhouse, where she served in a variety of ways, the foremost being Providence Hall receptionist.

Felician Sister Mary Theophilia (Theresa) Tworzydlo, 92, died March 24, in Swedish/North Shore Hospital.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. John of God School and Lourdes High School.  She entered the Felician Sisters Postulancy in 1951 and professed her final vows in 1959.  She ministered as an elementary teacher in  Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin for a total of 20 years. Later, she

served in a variety of positions at St. Andrew Life Center in Niles.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Mary Magdalene (1953-1957), Good Shepherd (1957-1959, 1977-1978), St. Bruno (1960-1965), Holy Innocents (1967-1971), St. Stanislaus, Posen (1973-1977) and St. Andrew Life Center, Niles (1978-2014).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Diane (Mary Alana) Kennedy, 91, died March 30 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Oak Park, she entered the Sininsawa Dominican congregation in 1957, and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Rosary College. She later earned master’s degrees in English and theology and a doctorate in ministry.

Sister Diane’s ministry was dedicated to teaching, preaching and administration. She served her congregation as director of initial formation and as vicaress of the congregation. She was executive director of the Parable Conference for Dominican Life and Mission; director of ministry at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota; academic dean at Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis.; and associate provost and vice president for mission and ministry at Dominican University. Sister Diane concluded her public ministry as promoter for the cause of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP.    

She is survived by a sister, Jane Gelinas.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Virginia (John Martha) Helmann, 89, died April 1 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. 

Born in Wisconsin, she professed vows with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1955.

She taught at Visitation and schools in Chicago as well as in other cities in Illinois and in Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin. She also ministered in spiritual direction in New York and as a holistic health therapist at the Dominican Motherhouse in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.