Mercy Sister Norena Gawronski. 92, died April 7.

Born in Wisconsin, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines in 1942. She made her final vows in 1948.

For 30 years, she taught primary and secondary grades in Catholic schools across the Chicago and Milwaukee archdioceses. Her work also expanded into the arts; she played the piano and organ and she directed plays.

She also taught religious education at St. Clotilde and served as a pastoral minister for one year at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

She then ministered to the poor in West Virginia as a health aide. Sister Norena moved to Mercy Convent in Chicago in 2008.

Sister of Christian Charity M. Madeline (Martha Clara) Portner, 104, died on April 5 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in Minnesota, she entered the postulancy in 1935. She professed perpetual vows in 1943.

Sister M. Madeline taught elementary school in Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Louisiana before serving as librarian at St. Teresa School (1984-1990). She also served as a tutor at Josephinum Convent (1999-2001). She worked in the Sacred Heart Convent library in Wilmette (2001-2006) before retiring in 2007 from active ministry.

Mercy Sister Mary Marita Shaughnessy, 91, died March 15.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Gabriel School and St. Patrick Academy in Des Plaines. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines in 1943.

She taught primary grades throughout the Chicago area from 1945 until the mid-1960s. After ministering in Wisconsin and McHenry, Illinois, she returned Chicago and served at Mother McAuley High School as a substitute teacher and support staff (1996-2006). From 2006 to 2011, she volunteered in development.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Dolores Mary (Aurelia) Koza, 89, died Nov. 27.

She was a teacher, director of novices, provincial of SSJ TOSF, director of religious education and pastoral associate, and had been in religious life for 71 years. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Lourdes High School, Immaculata Congregational Home, St. Leo the Great Parish and Our Lady of the Snows.

Sister Alice (Walter Marie) Wolski, 94, died Nov. 28 in Adrian, Michigan.

Sister Alice was born in Detroit and was in her 76th year of religious life.

Sister Alice ministered in Michigan, Illinois, Florida and Ohio. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1941- 1948).