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1,529 Results Found
  • Br. Leo Ryan

    Education Leader


    Viatorian Brother Leo V. Ryan, 89, died June 22 at the Moorings of Arlington Heights Rehabilitation Center.

    Born in Iowa, he served in the U.S. Army in 1945 and 1946 before earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Marquette University. He went on to earn an MBA from DePaul University and a doctorate in management and educational administration from St. Louis University.

    He pronounced his first vows as a Viatorian in 1950 and made his final vows in 1955.

    He served in a variety of positions in high schools in Springfield and Peoria, Illinois, and at St. Louis and Marquette universities.

    He was chairman of the Department of Management in Loyola University Chicago’s College of Business Administration in 1965, then spent 1966 as the deputy director and administrative office for the U.S. Peace Corps in Nigeria.

    He served the Viatorians as member of the General Council in Rome and then as director of education for the Province of Chicago before being named the first president of St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1972-1974).

    He then was named dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Notre Dame (1975-1980) and dean of the College of Commerce and the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University (1980-1988).

    From 1991 to 2001, he lectured at universities in Finland and Poland, and he moved into the Viatorian retirement residence in Arlington Heights in 1999. He served as chairman of the province’s Querbes Commission from 2001-2009.

    He is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Hart.

  • Sr. Julie Coyne

    Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Julie Coyne (Mary Novella), 84, died June 18 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

    Born in Chicago, Sister Julie made her first religious profession in 1952 and her final profession in 1955. She was an artist, taught for 46 years and served as principal for one year. Sister Julie served in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Julie taught at St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield (1957-1960); St. Thomas the Apostle (1969-1971); and St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest (1972-1974).

    She is survived by a sister, Mary Lee.

  • Sr. Mary O’Connor

    Teacher, Principal

    Adrian Dominican Sister Mary (Mary de Montfort) O’Connor, 84, died Feb. 5 in Adrian, Michigan.

    Born in New Jersey, she was in the 67th year of her religious profession.

    She spent 63 years ministering in education in Illinois, including serving as principal for three years at St. Columbanus School.

  • Fr. Kenneth Yarno

    Educator

    Viatorian Father Kenneth Yarno, 84, died June 8 in Arlington Heights.

    Born in Watseka, Illinois, he entered the Clerics of St. Viator in 1950 and professed final vows in 1954. He was ordained in Chicago in 1959.

    He was director of vocations for his congregation (1962-1968) before serving as teacher and assistant principal at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1968-1973). He served in Kankakee, Springfield and St. George, Illinois, returning to the retirement residence at the Viatorian Province Center, Arlington Heights, after his retirement in 2010. He moved to Addolorata Villa, Wheeling, in 2013.

    He is survived by his sister, Pauline Newquist.

  • Sr. Frances Eileen Dunne

    BVM Sister Frances Eileen Dunne, 91, died May 26 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1943 from St. Peter Canisius Parish. She professed final vows in 1951.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Frances Eileen taught elementary school at St. Jerome, St. Charles, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Eulalia, Maywood, where she was also vice principal and served as secretary/treasurer. She taught elementary school in Iowa and South Dakota.

  • Sr. Margaret Mary Griffin

    Teacher

    Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Margaret Mary “Peggy” (Marie Annette) Griffin, 89, died June 8.

    Born in Iowa, she made her first religious profession in 1948 and her final profession in 1951. She was a teacher, a missionary, a parish minister and in congregational leadership and administration in Minnesota, Illinois, Montana, Wisconsin, California, New Mexico, Texas, Alaska and Washington, as well as Bolivia.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Peggy taught elementary school at St. Thomas the Apostle (1949-1954) and Epiphany (1955- 1957).

    She is survived by a brother, Thomas Francis Griffin.

  • Deacon Peter Hajdu

    Ordained in 2014

    Deacon Peter Hajdu, 59, died June 6. He was ordained in 2014 and served at St. Emily, Mount Prospect.

    He was maintenance manager at St. Emily. When he was ordained, he said he planned to focus his ministry on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and baptismal preparation.

    He is survived by his wife, Melissa; two grown daughters, Stephanie Keadle and Samantha Fiegle; two grandchildren, Cooper and Carter Keadle; his mother, Elizabeth Hajdu; and his brother, Tom Hajdu.

  • Fr. Joseph McDonnell

    Father Joseph Francis McDonnell, 88, died June 15. He was pastor emeritus of St. John of the Cross, Western Springs.

    Born in Chicago, he attended Visitation and St. Brendan schools and Quigley Preparatory Seminary before graduating from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and being ordained to the priesthood in 1955.

    Father McDonnell served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Angels (1955-1962); St. Rene Goupil (1962- 1967); Our Lady of Grace (1967-1968); Assumption B.V.M. (California Avenue) (1968-1976); and St. Beatrice, Schiller Park (1976-1980). While at Our Lady of Grace, Father McDonnell also served as chaplain at Cook County Jail.

    In 1980, Father McDonnell was named pastor of St. John of the Cross, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1996.

    Father David Dowdle, pastor of St. John of the Cross, said, “His first assignment at Our Lady of the Angels and the fire of 1958 impacted him greatly.” Father Mc- Donnell is remembered for his regular visits to the surviving children in the hospital, supporting their family members and encouraging the doctors and nurses.

    “He cared for all children very deeply,” Dowdle said. “He always called children up around the altar at every Mass he celebrated and in honor of him, we had a statue commissioned and dedicated to him in the parish courtyard. It is a statue of Jesus with children around him.”

  • Sr. Irma Dreger

    Educator

    Sister of Christian Charity Irma (Catherine) Dreger, 97, died May 19 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

    Born in Chicago, she entered the postulancy in 1933, and was received into the novitiate the next year. She made her perpetual profession of vows in 1942. She taught elementary and high school in Michigan, Louisiana, Minnesota and Iowa in addition to Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Aloysius (1955-1956) and St. Gregory (1957- 1958, 1965-1969. She served as secretary (1969-1971) and teacher (1973-1974) at Josephinum, substitute superior and principal at St. Alphonsus, Prospect Heights (1971); worked in public relations at Mallinckrodt College (1971-1973). She moved to the motherhouse in Wilmette and continued to teach English at Mallinckrodt College, do community research and serve as annalist and telephone receptionist.

    In 1999, Sister Irma returned to the Josephinum where she tutored in the SCC Literacy Program for the next six years. The year 2005, she moved to Sacred Heart Convent, where she continued to translate German obituary letters and wrote obituary letters for the Western Province. In 2006 she accepted the invitation to become assistant editor of the SVD Missionary Magazine, Divine Word.

  • Deacon Philip Ontiveros

    Deacon Philip Ontiveros, 70, died June 3. He was ordained in 1993 and served at St. Julian Eymard, Elk Grove Village, and St. Marcelline, Schaumburg.

    Deacon Ontiveros served as a medic in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart.

    He worked for 26 years as a driver for UPS. At one time, his route included the archdiocese’s diaconate office in Forest Park.

    He is survived by his wife Marilyn and his siblings Catherine and Daniel.

  • Deacon John Ficker

    Class of 1994

    Deacon John Ficker, 86, died May 29. He was ordained in 1994 and served at St. George, Tinley Park.

    Deacon Ficker was a member of one of the founding families of St. George and lived in the parish his whole life. He met his wife Alice at the church. The couple married in 1952.

    As a young man, Deacon Ficker worked as a milkman for Vogt’s General Store. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Korean War.

    He and his wife prepared couples for marriage. As a deacon, he officiated at 50 weddings and baptized 500 babies, but he will be most remembered in the parish for the time he spent visiting the sick and taking the Eucharist to them in the hospital.

    He is survived by his wife, his children John, Cathy, Larry, Barbara, Michael , Cindy and Daniel; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

  • Fr. Robert Behnke

    Former Pastor

    Father Robert Behnke, 69, died June 4 at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park. He was a resident of St. Bede the Venerable Parish and former pastor of St. Barbara Parish.

    Born in Chicago, Father Behnke attended St. Priscilla and St. Francis Borgia schools and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Niles College of Loyola University, and graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1973.

    He served as associate pastor at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (1973-1978); St. Mary Magdalene (1978- 1980); Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park (2000); and St. Thomas More (2000-2002). In 1980, Father Behnke was named administrator of Assumption BVM and served in that capacity until 1983, when he was named pastor. The parish eventually merged with St. Catherine of Genoa and Father Behnke remained there until 2000. During his time at Assumption BVM, he was administrator of SS. Peter and Paul Parish for almost three years. Father Behnke then served as pastor of St. Barbara (Throop Street) (2002-2006). From 2006 to 2016, Father Behnke was a resident of St. Thomas More and St. Bede the Venerable parishes.

    Father Behnke is survived by a brother, David.

  • Fr. Philip Dressler

    Pastor Emeritus

    Father Philip Dressler, 80, died May 26 at St. Juliana Parish Rectory, where he was a resident and pastor emeritus.

    Born in Chicago, Father Dressler attended St. Andrew School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1961.

    Father Phil, as he was commonly called, was assistant pastor at St. Ita (1961-1965) and St. Anne, Barrington (1965-1972). He was pastor of Immaculate Conception (North Park Ave.) (1979-1985), Queen of Angels (1985-1995) and St. Juliana Parish (1995- 2005).

    He also was administrator of St. Anne (1971); Our Lady Help of Christians (1974); St. Juliana (2005); Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village (2007); and St. Mary of Perpetual Help (2008).

    Father Dressler is survived by a brother, Joseph Dressler.

  • Sr. Mary Declan Foss

    Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Declan (Geraldine) Foss, 95, died May 21 in Adrian, Michigan.

    Born in Toledo, Ohio, she was in the 67th year of her religious profession.

    Sister Mary Declan ministered mostly in education and as a recreational therapist in Michigan, Illinois, California, Ohio and Indiana.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught elementary school at St. Rita (1949-1950) and high school at Aquinas High School (1950-1952).

  • Sr. Michael Ellen Green

    Providence Sister Michael Ellen (Dorothy Ellen) Green, 86, died May 15 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

    Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1951 and professed final vows in 1958.

    In her 65 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in housekeeping, hospitality and health care.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Columbkille (1954) and St. Sylvester (1954-1958).

    Sister Michael Ellen is survived by a sister, Joanne Broden.

  • Sr. Veronica Burke

    Educator

    BVM Sister Veronica J. (Timothena) Burke, 95, died May 11 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in San Francisco, she entered the BVM congregation in 1939 and professed final vows in 1947.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Veronica taught at St. Gertrude. She also served in Montana, California, Iowa and the Panama Canal Zone.

  • Sister Margaret Conroy

    Educator

    Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Margaret “Marge” (John Francis) Conroy, 84, died May 10 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

    Born in Chicago, Sister Marge made her first religious profession in 1951 and her final profession in 1954.

    She taught for 50 years and served as an educational administrator and support staff. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marge taught at St. Richard, (1969-1970); Epiphany (1970-1972); St. Giles, Oak Park (1973-1976); St. Barnabas (1980-1981); St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest (1985-1992); and Queen of All Saints (1992-2007).

    She served as support staff at Mercy Hospital (1972-1973), and as director of religious education and assistant principal at St. Joseph Parish and School, Homewood (1976-1980).

    She is survived by a brother, Edmund Conroy.

  • Sr. M. Eugenia Tremblay

    Teacher

    Servite Sister M. Eugenia Tremblay, 94, died May 5 at Addolorat Village in Wheeling. Born in Wisconsin, she entered the Servants of Mary in 1937 and was professed in 1939.

    She taught at the elementary, high school and college levels in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Domitilla, Hillside, and St. Philip the Apostle, Northbrook.

    She was the youngest and last surviving of seven siblings, four of whom entered religious life.

  • Dr. Lucine Mastalerz

    Principal at St. Ferdinand

    Dr. Lucine H. Mastalerz, 66, died with her family around her on May 20.

    A lifelong Catholic educator, Dr. Mastalerz began her career as a high school teacher and became a principal in 1988. She had be principal at St,, Ferdinand School for the past 12 years.

    Classes at St. Ferdinand were cancelled May 27 for her funeral.

    She is survived by her husband Stan, her children Irene Heidelbauer, Rudy and David, and six grandchildren. Two children, Peter and Angeline, preceded her in death.

  • Deacon Salvador Cornejo

    Class of 1978

    Deacon Salvador Cornejo, 75, died April 14 in Romeoville, Illinois.

    He ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish until he retired 20 years ago, according to his daughter Guille.

    Deacon Cornejo was born in Mexico, and married his wife, Teresa, there.

    He first came to Chicago in 1967 and worked at Chicago Steel and Wire.

    He is survived by his wife and his children Ismael, Ramiro, Guille, Salvador and Teresa. A daughter, Maribel, died as an infant.

  • Sr. Vincentia Kaeferstein

    Educator

    BVM Sister Vincentia Kaeferstein, 102, died Jan. 13 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1931 and professed final vows in 1939.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Vincentia taught at St. Eulalia, Maywood, and St. Ferdinand. She also ministered in Wyoming and Iowa.

  • Fr. Wayne Schimmelmann

    Parish priest, chaplain

    Claretian Father Wayne Schimmelmann, 66, died Jan. 12 at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

    Born in Virginia, Father Schimmelmann made his religious profession as a Claretian Missionary in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1986.

    He served in parishes, on college campuses and in hospitals in Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois and Georgia. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (1991-1992), St. Paul Parish (1996-1998) and University of Illinois Medical Center and Resurrection Hospital (1998-2004). He was a resident of Claretian houses in Chicago and Oak Park (2005-2015) before moving to Mercy Circle.

    He is survived by his sisters, Donna Bourland, MaryAnne Massey and Joanne Griffin, and brothers Charles and Allen Schimmelmann.

  • Sr. Margaret Kelly

    Educator

    Providence Sister Margaret (Bernard Maureen) Kelly, 80, died Jan. 15 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

    Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1957 and professed final vows in 1964.

    She ministered as a teacher for 46 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina and Missouri, then cared for her sister and served as coordinator of the Chicago Providence Women.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1964-1967); St. Angela, (1971-1979); Immaculate Conception (1979-1982); and Maternity BVM (1982-2007); and in service to her family in Chicago (2007-2014).

    Sister Margaret is survived by three brothers, Ed, Mike and Jim Kelly.

  • Sr. Kathleen O’Donnell

    Educator/secretary

    Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Kathleen (Marie Winifred) O’Donnell, 93, died Jan. 10 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

    Born in Chicago, Sister Kathleen made her first religious profession in 1946 and her final profession in 1949. She was a teacher, principal, director of the Dominican Education Center, support staff member and pastoral associate. Sister Kathleen served in Oklahoma, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Alabama.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Kathleen served as secretary at Visitation School (1975-1981); Misericordia Home North (1983-1984); for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation’s Eastern Province while based in River Forest (1992-1998); and at St. Luke Convent, River Forest (1999-2000).

  • Sr. Caroline Hatch

    Educator

    Sister Caroline (Mary Caroline) Hatch, 90, died Jan. 9 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

    Born in Massachusetts, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954. She ministered for 60 years in as a primary-grade teacher in schools in Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Angela (1949-1953), St. Agnes (1954) and St. Columbkille (1957-1962).

  • Sr. Nancy Gnau

    Educator

    Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Nancy (Ann Christopher) Gnau, 86, died Jan. 8 in Cincinnati.

    Born and raised in Ohio, she entered the community in 1948 and made her final vows in 1956. She taught in elementary schools in Ohio and then began a long career as a teacher and administrator in high schools in Columbus, Dayton and Chicago, including Notre Dame High School for Girls.

    Sister Nancy is survived by two sisters, Norma and Mary.

  • Sr. Agnes Martinka

    Educator

    Sister of the Living Word Agnes Martinka, 89, died Jan. 7.

    Born in Minnesota, she entered religious life in 1946 and made her final profession as a Sister of Christian Charity in 1954. Sister Agnes was a founding member of the Sisters of the Living Word in 1975.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Agnes ministered as teacher or principal at St. Gregory; St. Martha, Morton Grove; St. Theresa, Palatine; and St. Isaac Jogues, Niles.

    She is survived by her brothers, Robert and Jerome.

  • Sr. Michael Claire Wilson

    Educator

    Adrian Dominican Sister Michael Claire (Barbara Lynn) Wilson, 83, died Dec. 25 in Adrian, Michigan.

    A native of Detroit, she was in the 66th year of her religious profession.

    Sister Michael Claire ministered in elementary and secondary education and pastoral ministry in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Arizona.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Michael Claire taught at St. Joseph School, Homewood (1951-1959).

    She is survived by two sisters, Kathy Foster and Donna Wilson.

  • Sr. Noreen Joyce

    Educator

    Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Noreen (Catherine Michael) Joyce, 83, died Dec. 20 in Cincinnati.

    Born in Chicago, she entered the community in 1951 and made final vows in 1958.

    Sister Noreen taught in primary and Montessori schools in Chicago and Rockford, Illinois, as well as in Ohio and Arizona. She also was involved in parish religious education.

  • Sr. Anne Marie Doran

    Educator, nurse

    Mercy Sister Anne Marie (Mary Bertina) Doran, 89, died Oct. 25 in Chicago.

    Born and raised in Chicago, she attended Mercy High School before entering the community in 1946.

    She taught in Catholic grade schools in Illinois and Wisconsin before pursuing ministry in health care. Upon becoming a licensed practical nurse, she worked full-time for almost 30 years at what is now known as Presence Health in Aurora, Illinois.

  • Sr. Margaret Wright

    Pharmacist

    Mercy Sister Margaret Wright, 81, died Oct. 16.

    Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Mercy after graduating from St. Patrick High School, Des Plaines.

    She graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy in Omaha, Nebraska and became a pharmacist in 1962. She served at Mercy Hospitals in Chicago and Aurora, Illinois, for many years. During that time, she served on the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy for 17 years, including 13 years as chairwoman.

    She was the first woman and the first from a hospital setting to be named Pharmacist of the Year in 1980 by the Illinois Pharmacists Association, and in 1995, Sister Margaret was introduced as “the conscience of pharmacy in Illinois” when she was named an honorary lifetime member to the Illinois Council of Hospital Pharmacists.

  • Sr. Elizabeth Kreiner

    Educator, chaplain

    Adrian Dominican Sister Elizabeth (Catherine William) Kreiner, 95, died Jan. 15 in Adrian, Michigan.

    Born in Michigan, she was in the 79th year of her religious profession.

    Sister ministered in education, in congregation leadership, as a chaplain and as an administrator in Illinois and Michigan.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1938-1943, 1967-1968); St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1943-1951); St. Clare of Montefalco (1951-1952); and St. Albert the Great, Oak Lawn (1962-1967). She was co-provincial of the St. Dominic Province in Hometown (1970-1972), executive director of Mercy House Corp (1973-1974); chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital (1974-1976) and chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood (1977-1981).

  • Sr. Therese O’Donnell

    Principal

    Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Therese (Eamon) O’Donnell, 90, died Jan. 14 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in Chicago, Sister Therese made her first religious profession in 1947 and her final profession in 1950. She was a teacher, principal and consultant in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Therese was principal at St. Basil (1968-1969) and St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn (1977-2002).

  • Sr. Jeanne Flanagan

    Educator, community leader

    Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Jeanne Flanagan, 91, died Jan. 14 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

    Born in Chicago, Sister Jeanne made her first religious profession in 1949 and her final profession Aug. 5, 1952. She ministered in education, community leadership, religious education and spiritual direction in Minnesota, Wyoming, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Jeanne was principal at Queen of Peace, Burbank (1962-1966) and served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as prioress provincial of the Southwest Province (1968-1976).

  • Sr. Marianne O’Neill

    Educator

    Adrian Dominican Sister Marianne (David Frances) O’Neill, 80, died on Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

    Born in Chicago, she was in the 62nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

    Sister Marianne ministered in education, pastoral care and service to her congregation in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Mary Star of the Sea (1979-1981); Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1981-1986); and St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1986-1987).

  • Sr. Anne Krall

    Educator

    Benedictine Sister Anne (Barbara) Krall, 88, died Jan. 5 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

    She was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in 1954. She made her final vows in 1959.

    In Chicago, she taught at Queen of All Saints, St. Joseph, St. Hilary and St. Symphorosa. She also taught at a number of schools and directed parish religious education programs in Colorado.

  • Sr. Rita Schirtzinger

    Educator

    Sister of Notre Dame of Namur Rita (St. Clement) Schirtzinger, 88, died Dec. 27 in Cincinnati.

    Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, she entered the community in 1946 and made her final vows in 1954.

    Sister Rita taught elementary school in parish schools in Ohio and Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Victor. When Sister Rita retired from formal teaching, she tutored adults and helped them pass their GED and gain computer skills.

    Sister Rita is survived by one sibling, Ida Dunkman.

  • Rabbi Herman Schaalman

    Interfaith dialogue leader

    Rabbi Herman Schaalman, 100, died Feb. 1. One of the foremost Reform rabbis in the United States, he was a leader in the movement for interfaith dialogue and one of the founders of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago.

    He was a close friend of Cardinal Bernardin and participated in his funeral rites.

    Rabbi Schaalman came to the United States from his native Germany to study in 1935. He came to Chicago in 1949 to serve as the Midwest director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. In 1956, he became the senior rabbi at Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan Road, where he served for 30 years.

    According to an article in the JUF News in honor of his 100th birthday, Rabbi Schaalman served as a trustee on the board of the Millennium Institute and a member of the executive committee of the Council for the Parliament of World Religions. In 1991, the president of Germany honored him with the award of the Order of Merit, First Class. The International Council of Christians and Jews gave Schaalman its highest honor, the Interfaith Gold Medallion — Peace Through Dialogue. Among his honorary doctorates was one from Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, where he also served on the faculty.

    He is survived by his children, Susan Youdovin and Michael Schaalman, and five grandchildren.

  • Deacon Robert O’Keefe

    Class of 1984

    Deacon Robert O’Keefe, 88, died Jan. 31. He was ordained in 1984 and served at St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Niles.

    He retired as vice president of human resources after 50 years of service at Fel-Pro in Skokie, where he was known as an advocate for all employees.

    He is survived by his wife, Joan; children Kevin, Patrick and Timothy O’Keefe; and Mary Walsh, Kathleen O’Neill and Eileen Reisel; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

  • Sr. Janita Curoe

    Educator

    BVM Sister Janita Curoe, 87, died Feb. 10 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in Iowa, Sister Janita entered the BVM congregation in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Janita taught elementary school at St. Eugene. She also taught in Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi.

  • Sr. Kathleen Doherty

    Educator

    BVM Sister Kathleen Doherty (Patrick Louis), 94, died Feb. 9 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1945 and professed final vows in 1953.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Kathleen taught at St. Jerome and St. Mary High School; served as parish secretary and adult education teacher at Holy Family Parish and Westside Employment and Education Center; and was coordinator/treasurer for St. Mary Alumnae Association. She also taught in New York and Iowa.

  • Sr. Lenore Kusek

    Educator, counselor

    Sister of the Resurrection Lenore (M. Aquina) Kusek, 96, died Feb. 6.

    Sister Lenore was born in Nebraska. She was received into the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1935, and eventually had two sisters in the congregation: the late Sister Bonaventure and Sister Clara Frances.

    Sister Lenore ministered for 60 years in education, counseling and fundraising. She taught all grades from kindergarten through high school. In the archdiocese, she served at St. Thecla; St. Mary of the Angels; St. Bede, Ingleside; and Resurrection High School. She also ministered in Indiana, North Dakota and Alabama.

    Sister Lenore also served as formation directress and as local superior.

    Sister Lenore spent the last 15 years of her life in the ministry of prayer and suffering at the Queen of the Resurrection House of Prayer.

  • Sr. Clement Mazgelis

    Educator

    Sister of St. Casimir Clement Mazgelis, 93, died Jan. 31.

    A native of Brockton, Massachusetts, Sister Clement attended St. Casimir Academy in Chicago and entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1940. She made her final vows in 1946.

    She ministered in elementary and high schools in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Maryland. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Casimir Academy (1944-1946) and Maria High School (1965-2002), Nativity BVM (Marquette Park, 1943-1944), Immaculate Conception (44th Street) (1946-1948) and St. Anthony, Cicero (1952-1957). From 2002 to 2015 Sister Clement supported Maria High Scholarships and the SSC Retirement Fund through many fundraising activities. Most recently, Sister Clement participated in the SSC ministry of prayer (2015-2017) at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

  • Sr. Mercedes Moore

    Educator, parish minister

    Benedictine Sister Mercedes (Mary Catherine) Moore, 101, died Jan. 25 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

    She graduated from St. Ambrose School and St. Thomas the Apostle High School. Later, she attended Saint Xavier College for a year before entering the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in 1933. She professed her final vows in 1938.

    She taught at St. Hilary, Queen of All Saints, St. Symphorosa and St. Scholastica Academy and at a number of schools in Colorado. She returned as principal of St. Hilary and St. Symphorosa. She was involved in parish ministry at St. Athanasius, Evanston, served as a chaplain at Evanston Hospital and then was superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Virgin Islands. In her later years, she worked as a tutor with deaf students at Holy Trinity School and served as subprioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago.

  • Sr. Mary Cordia Nowicki

    Educator

    Felician Sister Mary Cordia (Veronica) Nowicki, 101, died on Jan. 20 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

    Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, she entered the Felician Sisters in 1934 and professed her final vows in 1942.

    She ministered in elementary schools as a principal, teacher and tutor in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

  • Sr. Louise Szkodzinski

    Music teacher

    BVM Sister Louise (Christine) Szkodzinski, 95, died Jan. 16 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in Cicero, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 and professed final vows in 1955.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Louise taught music at Mundelein College, and in later years gave piano lessons at Wright Hall. She also taught music in Iowa and Arizona.

    She is survived by a brother, Jerome, and a sister, Christine Pitford.

  • Sr. Gracita Daly

    Educator

    BVM Sister Gracita Daly, BVM, 92, died Jan. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

    Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1941 and professed final vows in 1949.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Gracita taught at St. Odilo, Berwyn, where she later served in parish ministry, and also at Blessed Sacrament and Holy Family (Roosevelt Road). She also ministered in Iowa, Nebraska, New York and Indiana.

  • Deacon James Cozzo

    Class of 2002

    Deacon James Cozzo, 69, died Feb. 4. He was ordained in 2002 and had served at St. Eugene Parish since 2010.

    He previously served at Santa Maria Addolorata.

    He is survived by his wife, Mirta (“Mirna”); his children Ryan Cozzo, Nina Annerino and Sara Galiano; his grandchildren Daniel Cozzo; Ava Annerino and Dominic Galiano; and siblings Robert, Jenaro, Jimmy, Tim and Diana.

  • Fr. James Moriarty

    Pastor emeritus

    Father James Francis Moriarty, 91, died Feb. 8 at the Bishop Timothy J. Lyne Residence for Retired Priests in Palos Park. He was pastor emeritus of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston.

    Father Moriarty was born in Chicago and attended St. Theodore School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary North and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1951.

    He was assistant pastor of St. Ferdinand (1951-1963); St. John the Evangelist, Streamwood (1963-1970); and St. Mary of the Woods (1988-1989). He was pastor of St. Luke Parish, River Forest (1982-1998) before being named pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston in 1989. He served there until he retired in 1995.

    He also was a delegate judge for the metropolitan tribunal, and in 1969 he began working with the Catholic Conference of Illinois. Father Moriarty dedicated much of his work to the development of Catholic television, as director of the Catholic Television Network of Chicago from 1973 to 1984. During this time, he was a resident of Holy Name Cathedral Parish.

    Father Moriarty is survived by his brothers, Thomas, Robert and Gerald Moriarty.

  • Sr. Donna Wencel

    Educator

    Adrian Dominican Sister Donna (Frederick Mary) Wencel, 88, died March 3 in Adrian, Michigan.

    Born in Michigan, she was in the 71st year of her religious profession.

    Sister Donna ministered in elementary education in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and California.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Matthew (1947-1950) and St. Rita (1958-1962).

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