Benedictine Sister of Chicago Joan Gannon, 97, died May 6.

Born in Chicago, she and her family were active members of St. Jerome Parish. After attending St. Scholastica High School, she entered the community as a postulant in 1940 and professed triennial vows in 1942.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught first grade and was parish sacristan at St. Hilary (1942-1948); taught at Mother of God, Waukegan (1948-1951); taught kindergarten at Queen of All Saints (1951-1952); performed various services at the Benedictine Monastery after losing her voice (1952-1953); taught chemistry and math and performed other duties at St. Scholastica High School (1956-1967); ministered in the infirmary (1967-1970); and worked in the language lab and business office at St. Scholastica Academy (1970-1979).

For the next 10 years, she served at several Chicago parishes, including Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Thomas Aquinas. She worked with the St. Jerome “Tip Toppers” and did several jobs in the monastery until retiring in 2014.

Sister of the Living Word Norma (Jane P.) Thelen, 82, died May 9. She had been a member of the community for 45 years.

Born in Michigan, she taught in elementary schools in Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan for 25 years. She then ministered in the field of gerontology for 27 years. She retired in 2013.

She is survived by her brothers Clair and Thomas Thelen and her sisters Rose Mary Nurenberg, Virginia Drake and Linda Thelen.

Felician Sister Mary Dionette (Theophilla) Werner, 90, died May 15 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Poland, she moved to Chicago and attended Good Counsel High School. She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1949 and professed her final vows in 1957. 

She ministered as an elementary school teacher in various schools in Illinois and also served as a librarian at Providence High School in New Lenox. She ministered in the Congregation for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in Rome for 20 years, and served in the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Holy Innocents (1949-1955), St. John of God (1955-1957), St. Helen (1960-1965), St. Wenceslaus (1965-1971), and the Office of Metropolitan Tribunal (2000-2014).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Ora) Fox, 89, died May 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Mary made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She was a teacher, school administrator, catechist, director of religious education and community liaison in Illinois, Montana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida and Oklahoma.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught at Visitation (1962-1964) and St. Thomas More (1967-1971). She was principal of St. Basil (1978-1984).

She is survived by two brothers, Leonard Peacock and Jim Fox.

Deacon Marvin Kocar, 87, died May 4 after a long illness. He was ordained in 1986 and served at St. Pius X Parish, Stickney.

Born and raised in Chicago and a resident of Lyons, Deacon Kocar was a U.S. Navy veteran and he worked as an instructor at the Chicago Transit Authority. He enjoyed his retirement traveling, fishing and biking.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret; children Linda Kucera and Marianne Kubat; three grandchildren; and his sister, Beverly Tomzik.