Sister of the Living Word Laurita (Virginia) Saunders, 96, died Aug. 9 at Presence Resurrection Life Center in Chicago.

Born in Massachusetts, she moved to Chicago with her family. She graduated from Wilmette Mallinckrodt High School in 1939 and joined the Sisters of Christian Charity. She made her final vows in 1948.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Laurita taught at St. Raphael (1954-1959) and St. Theresa, Palatine (1968-1975).

After 27 years as a Sister of Christian Charity, Sister Laurita joined 89 other sisters to form the new Sisters of the Living Word. She served as director of religious education and adult education at Sacred Heart, Palos Hills (1975-1976); St. Ita (1976-1978) and St. Joseph the Worker, Wheeling (1978-1983). She then ministered at St. Mary, Evanston (1984-1986) and taught math at Pope John XXIII School, Evanston (1986-1987).

In 1988, she started her ministry as hospitality coordinator at the Living Word Center in Arlington Heights.

Divine Word Father Patrick Fincutter, 88, a longtime missionary in Papua New Guinea, died in Techny July 19.

Over the course of 40 years, Father Fincutter served the people of the world’s second largest island nation as priest, pilot, mechanic and professional communicator.

Born in Libertyville, Father Fincutter said he knew from the time he was a child that he wanted to be a pilot and a priest. Eventually, he chose the priesthood and only later learned that the Divine Word Missionaries relied on air travel in New Guinea and had founded a transportation hub called Wirui Air Services.

He professed vows at Techny in 1948 and in 1955 was ordained to the priesthood.

In 1961, he fulfilled his lifelong dream. For nine years, he flew Cessna 180s and Dornier Do 27s as a mission pilot, fulfilling assignments that included medical emergency flights and supply deliveries.

In 2001, he returned to the United States. He moved to Techny in 2013.

He is survived by two brothers, Robert Fincutter and Divine Word Father John Fincutter, SVD.

Deacon William J. Reinert, 82, died Aug. 27 at Lutheran Home & Services, Arlington Heights. He was 82 years old and had served at St. Raymond Parish, Mount Prospect, and St. James Parish, Arlington Heights.

Born in Chicago, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1957. He worked for with Northshore and WE Energies before spending 37 years at Peoples Gas.

Deacon Reinert was a 4th Degree member and Past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus, Holy Rosary Council #4483 and the Elizabeth Ann Seton Assembly.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan; his children William Reinert, Patricia Julian and Robert Reinert; his grandchildren Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth and Alyssa; and his brother, John Reinert.

Holy Cross Father Edwin J. Kadzielawski, 94, died April 27 in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Father Kadzielawski was in Chicago and graduated Holy Trinity High School before being received into the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1941. He made his final profession of vows in 1945 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1949.

He served in parishes and schools in Louisiana, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota and Texas.

In the archdiocese, he assisted at Holy Trinity Church from 1954 to 1956.

He is survived by his brother, Leonard.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Diona McNichols, 86, died Aug. 17 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

A Chicago native, Sister Diona made her first religious profession in 1956 and her final profession in 1959. She taught for 29 years and served as associate academic dean for 11 years and administrative assistant for eight years. Sister Diona served in Montana, Wisconsin and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Diona served at Rosary College, now Dominican University, River Forest, as home economics teacher, 1965-1968, 1980-1991 and 1994-2000; associate academic dean, 1968-1979, when she also served as director of the summer school; and administrative assistant to the chancellor, 1991- 1994. She also ministered as receptionist at St. Luke Parish, River Forest, 2000-2005.

She is survived by a brother, William “Bill” McNichols.