Vincentian Father John T. Richardson, 98, died March 29 in Missouri.

Father Richardson served as president of DePaul University from 1981 to 1993, leading a major expansion of the institution, and he was chancellor from 1993 to 2017.

“Father Richardson’s leadership of DePaul resulted in growing our national reputation, while expanding our engagement in the city of Chicago and deepening our commitment to the university’s Catholic, Vincentian, and urban mission,” DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban said. “He was a visionary leader, whose impact on our university will endure, and he will be missed by all in the DePaul family.”

He joined the university in 1954 as dean of the graduate school, and from 1955 to 1970, he taught in the law school, teaching dozens of future Cook County judges and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Father Richardson’s presidency marked a period of intense growth of DePaul’s community involvement in Lincoln Park, the Loop and all of Chicago. Hallmarks of his time with the university include increasing DePaul’s appeal to students across the country, strengthening the university’s Vincentian commitment to its urban community and developing the diversity of DePaul’s faculty, staff and student body.

In 1997, he went to Kenya to teach in the Vincentian seminary there, returning to DePaul in 2010.

Sister of St. Casimir Johanna Marie Shainauskas, 88, died Feb. 13 in Lemont.

Born in Chicago, Sister Johanna Marie made her first profession of vows in 1952 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

She ministered in California, Pennsylvania and Illinois as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of student services.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Johanna Marie taught at All Saints (1952-1954); St. Bartholomew, Waukegan (1954-1956); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1959-1963); Immaculate Conception (44th Street) (1963-1964); Nativity BVM (1964-1965); and Providence of God (1971-1976), where she served as principal from 1976 to 1977.

She was a receptionist at Holy Cross Hospital while teaching music at Immaculate Conception from 1988 to 1989. At Maria High School, she taught Spanish and served as director of student services (1990-1999).

After she retired from education, Sister Johanna Marie served as secretary and receptionist at Nativity BVM Parish.

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia Laverne (Michael Dominic) Erickson, 79, died Feb. 14 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Wisconsin, she was in the 61st year of her religious life. Sister Patricia ministered in education and as a nurse, and in service to her congregation. She served in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Alabama, Texas, California, Florida, and Puerto Rico, and in Nicaragua, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Denis (1961-1965), St. Rita (1967-1969) and Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1970-1972) and was a nursing assistant at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park (1972-1973).

Sister Patricia Laverne became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy Revell, and her brother, Michael Erickson.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Monice Kavanaugh, 83, died March 16 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Monice attended several Catholic elementary schools, including St. Simon; St. Brendan; Little Flower; St. Leo; and Ascension, Oak Park; before attending Trinity High School, River Forest.

She made her first religious profession in 1958 and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1961. She was a teacher, served her congregation, and was a pastoral minister and director of the diaconate formation program for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She served in Wisconsin, New York and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Monice taught at Queen of Peace, Burbank (1966-1976), where she also served as the chair of the Christian Living Department. She was a pastoral associate at St. Fabian, Bridgeview (1976-1984), and at Immaculate Conception Parish (1991-1999), and was the director of formation for the permanent diaconate formation program for the archdiocese (1984-1991).

Sister Monice served as a member of the Resources for Mission Team for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation while living in Chicago (2011-2017) and ministered with the House of Connections and the Learning Center in Chicago (1999-2014), providing adult education and literacy programs and serving the center as executive director, employment counselor and program director.

Deacon Robert Ciesil, 94, of Schaumburg, died March 2. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Alphonsus Liguori, Prospect Heights, and St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet; and his children Mary Schroeder, Donna Fladd and James Ciesil; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Adrian Dominican Sister Grace (Susan Angela) Gianella, 80, died Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 61st year of her religious life.

Sister Grace ministered in elementary education, as a pastoral associate and in administration in Illinois, California and Colorado.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1962-1967) and Saint Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (1967-1971).

She is survived by her brother, Michael Gianella.

Adrian Dominican Sister Anna Mae (Neal Joseph) Kelly, 88, died Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from St. Thomas the Apostle High School. She was in the 69th year of her religious life.

She ministered in elementary education and as a chaplain in Michigan and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary Star of the Sea (1970-1972), St. Mary of Mount Carmel (1972-1975) and St. Clare of Montefalco (1975-1976); was a tutor at Alexander Smith (1977); directed the learning center at Blessed Agnes (1977-1984); taught at St. David (1984-1985), Bridgeport Catholic Academy (1985-1986), St. Gall (1986-1987), Providence of God (1987-1988), St. Casmir (1988-1989), Epiphany (1995-1997), and St. Benedict, Blue Island (1997-1998); and was a preschool teacher at St. Ailbe (1998-2002).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Maria (Maria Goretti) Oppriecht, 91, died Feb. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Born in Wisconsin, Sister Maria made her first religious profession in 1951 and her perpetual profession in 1954.

She was a teacher, school guidance counselor, pastoral minister and Reiki practitioner in South Dakota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Maria taught at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1956-1961), and St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine (1967-1969).

School Sister of Notre Dame Dorothy Kunze, 90, died March 2 at Maple Glen Memory Care Center in Glen Ellyn.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 70 years.

She served as an elementary school teacher and administrator in Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois and was on the province staff as secretary, office manager, finance bookkeeper and transportation coordinator.

Father Thomas J. Mescall, 74, died Feb. 1. He was the former pastor of St. Adrian Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Mescall attended St. Leo School and Leo High School. He went on to the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and graduated in 1973 from the John Marshall Law School, now known as University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Prior to entering the seminary, Father Mescall practiced law in Albuquerque until 2000, serving as a judge for 17 years in municipal, district and probate courts. He married and had two children, and after his divorce, his marriage was nullified.

Father Mescall always felt a pull toward priesthood and in 2000, he entered the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2004.

Father Mescall served the Archdiocese of Chicago as associate pastor of St. Terrence Parish, Alsip, and St. Denis Parish. He was also chaplain of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago and served as pastor at St. Adrian Parish until he retired in 2018.

He is survived by his son, Thomas J. Mescall II; his daughter, Regina Ann Mescall; four grandchildren; his brother, James Mescall; and his dear and faithful friend, Mary Molina Mescall.

Deacon James Patrick Nimietz, 90, died Jan. 28. He served at St. Benedict (Irving Park Road) and St. John of the Cross, Streamwood.

He is survived by his children Kathleen Colwell, Thomas Nimietz, Michael Nimietz and Gregory Nimietz; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother Robert Nimietz.

His wife, Mary Ann, predeceased him.

Viatorian Father John Milton, 92, died Jan. 24 at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights. He was a Viatorian priest for 65 years and founding faculty member of St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights.

Born in Chicago, he graduated high school from Fournier Institute of Technology in Lemont. He was among the first group of brothers to profess vows at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights after it opened in 1952, and he was ordained a priest in 1957.

He taught in Springfield, Peoria and Kankakee, as well as at St. Viator High School (1963-1965, 1968-1986).

He served as director of novices from 1986 to 1991, and taught part-time at DePaul University in 1987. He became a full-time professor at DePaul in 1991 and taught until 2010, when he was awarded the Via Sapientiae Award, the university’s highest faculty-staff honor.

Father Milton retired to the Viatorian Province Center residence in Arlington Heights, and was a weekend celebrant at St. Zachary Parish, Des Plaines, and served as a consultant to the physics program at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, Waukegan, where he helped establish the Advanced Placement science programs.

He is survived by his brother, George Milton.

Sister Loretta (Mary Nathan) Zemaitis, 99, died Jan. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Loretta made her first religious profession in 1945 and her perpetual profession in 1948. She was a teacher and tutor, served in adult faith formation and was a director of religious education and pastoral minister in Wisconsin, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Montana, Texas, Wyoming, South Carolina and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Loretta taught at Visitation (1958-1962), provided food and clothing for those in need at St. Basil Parish (1983-1984), and taught adult religious education and worked with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program at Parish Cooperative of South Chicago (St. Mary Magdalene Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish) (1984-1990).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister LaDonna (Albertino) Jeno, 90, died Jan. 28 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, Sister LaDonna made her first religious profession in 1952 and her perpetual profession in 1955. She taught, was a cook and served as support staff and an educational aide in Illinois, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Minnesota and Alabama.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister LaDonna taught at Epiphany (1952-1954) and Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1960-1962). She served as cook at Trinity Convent, River Forest (1958-1959).

Edmund Rice Christian Brother Robert Liguori May, 87, died Jan. 30.

Brother Robert attended St. Sabina School and Leo High School before joining the Christian Brothers in 1952.

He taught in New York before returning to the Chicago area. He taught at Brother Rice High School and St. Laurence High School, Burbank, Illinois, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Brother Robert founded the remedial reading programs at both Brother Rice and St. Laurence, and was active in parents’ clubs and served as band moderator and on school advisory boards. He also served as novice master for his community for seven years.

After retiring in 2005, Brother Robert moved into Marian Village retirement home in Homer Glen, and served on the Resident Council Board, was a sacristan and eucharistic minister, helped in the deli and called bingo and ran other games.

Providence Sister Mary Ann (Robert Ann) Lechner, 92, died Feb. 1 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1947 and professed final voes in 1954. 

She ministered as teacher in Indiana and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mel (1949-1954).

Sister Mary Ann is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Bormann and Eileen Lauka.

Benedictine Sister Barbara (Mary Justin) McCarry, 82, died Feb. 2 in St. Joseph Court Infirmary.

Born in Chicago, Sister Barbara attended St. Anthony de Padua Parish and Maria High School. She professed triennial vows in 1964 and made her final profession of vows in 1968.

Sister Barbara taught English for a Chicago public high school (1961-1962), then taught at St. Scholastica Academy (1964-1965, 1968-1974), Queen of All Saints (1966-1967, 1977-1978) and St. Hilary (1967-1968) and then served as curriculum director at St. Scholastica (1974-1977). She returned to Queen of All Saints as principal from 1978 to 1993.

Sister Barbara then trained and served as a probation officer in Chicago at the Juvenile Court Building, with outreach to detention centers in St. Charles and Warrenville. She later returned as a curriculum consultant for the Chicago Board of Education. In 2008, Sister Barbara served as a consultant for UNO Charter Schools.

From 2012 to 2022, Sister Barbara lived a life of prayer.

Sister Theresa (M. Edmundine) Lesnak, 93, died Jan. 13 in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first profession of vows in 1948 and her final profession in 1954.

Beginning in 1950, Sister Theresa ministered in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Nebraska for more than seven decades.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Theresa taught at St. Mary School, Buffalo Grove (1974-1975); was an administrative secretary for Smoler Brothers (1975-1980); taught at Madonna High School (1980-1994); was a secretary for the FD Services Data Base (1994-1995); taught at St. Benedict High School (1995-1998); was an instructor at Wright College (1998-2005); and was bookkeeper for St. Priscilla Convent (2005-2007).

In retirement, Sister Theresa was a volunteer at St. Joseph Convent in Campbellsport, Wisconsin (2007-2014), and served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee (2014-2015), and at Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Greenfield from 2015 until the time of her death. 

Basilian Father John Fiore, 92, died Jan. 15 at the Albertine Home in Hammond, Indiana.

He was born in Toronto and was ordained at St. Basil Church there in 1957. He came to Chicago to earn a doctorate in musicology from the University of Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he assisted at Little Flower, St. David, and for more than 30 years at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Oak Lawn.

Sister Joan (James Irene) Redden, BVM, 92, died Jan. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 from St. Francis of Rome Parish, Cicero. She professed first vows in 1950 and final vows in 1955.

Sister Joan ministered in Iowa, Illinois and Washington. In Illinois, she taught elementary school in Cicero and high school in Waukegan and Lake Forest. She also was a teacher assistant in North Chicago and an assistant apartment manager in Waukegan.