Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Joan (Deirdre) O’Shea, 90, died Dec. 7 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first vows in 1950 and her perpetual vows in 1953. She taught and was a principal; served for 16 years at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest; ministered as a chaplain, director of chaplains and in pastoral care; and was the provincial of the Eastern Province of the Sinsinawa Dominicans for four years. She served in New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Joan taught at St. Barnabas (1959-1960). She served as assistant professor (1965-1973), dean of students (1965-1973, 1974-1975), promoter of mission integration (2001-2006) and faculty (2006-2008) at Rosary College/Dominican University. She was the provincial for the Eastern Province of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation while living in River Forest (1988-1992).

She is survived by a sister, Therese Duranso.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Florence (Petra) Gavin, 91, died Dec. 8 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Florence made her first vows in 1950 and her perpetual vows in 1953. She taught and served as director of religious education, nurse’s aide and pastoral care minister. Sister Florence served in Illinois, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Iowa, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Hawaii and Tennessee, as well as Cochabamba, Bolivia.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Florence taught at St. Richard (1950-1951), St. Sabina (1964-1965, 1969-1970) and Visitation (1976-1977, 1981-1982).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Christiane Althaus, 86, died Dec. 14 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Mundelein, Sister Christiane made her first vows in 1954 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

She taught in the classroom for 39 years and taught music for one year, with seven more as choir teacher while serving as classroom teacher. Sister Christiane worked and volunteered in the archives at the motherhouse for 20 years. Sister Christiane served in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Alabama.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Christiane taught at St. Brendan (1968-1970); Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1970-1974); and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1974-1983).

She is survived by a brother, Lasallian Christian Brother Louis Althaus.

Sister of St. Casimir Mary Philip Ramoska, 100, died Dec. 17 in Lemont.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she completed her high school education at St. Casimir Academy, Chicago. She entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1941, making her first profession of vows in 1943 and her perpetual vows in 1948.

Sister Mary Philip first worked in the dietary departments of Holy Cross Hospital and Loretto Hospital and Holy Family Villa, Lemont. Between 1946 and 1959, she also did dietary work in Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. After training as licensed practical nurse, she ministered for 21 years in Pennsylvania, and then for 18 years in the Archdiocese of Chicago at the Sisters of St. Casimir Motherhouse infirmary.

She most recently served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Providence Sister Nancy (Jean Paula) Nolan, 84, died on Dec. 20 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Galesburg, Sister Nancy entered the Sisters of Providence in 1955 and professed final vows in 1962.

She taught in elementary schools, worked in administrative and leadership roles and was elected provincial of St. Joseph Province and then general superior of the congregation. After retiring, she served as vocations office coordinator for her congregation and coordinated the Sisters of Providence volunteer ministry at the U.S. Penitentiary Prison Camp in Terre Haute, Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Angela (1965-1971) and was co-provincial of St. Joseph Province, Park Ridge (1975-1983); programs director for the Institute for Spiritual Leadership (1997-1999); and president of Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1999-2008).