Mercy Sister Dorothy Pelt, 97, died Nov. 27.

Born in Milwaukee, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1942. She began her ministry as a teacher, working in Chicago, Des Plaines and Milwaukee for 30 years. After serving as a principal at St. Patrick in Des Plaines, she had her first experience as a missionary in Peru. 

She returned after a year when the school she taught at in Peru was closed and went back to teaching at Siena and Mother McAuley high schools in Chicago. During the summers, she volunteered in Honduras. In 1976, she was asked to serve full-time in Honduras, where she stayed for 38 years. 

She visited the 54 villages she served no matter the weather, the distance or the terrain, at times living out of her car as she traveled. Because a priest made it to each community only every couple of months, she coordinated teams of lay ministers who could celebrate the Liturgy of the Word on Sundays and other religious holidays, and she trained catechists to teach the children. 

She returned to Mercy Circle in Chicago at the age of 94.

Deacon Donald J. Telposky, 86, died Nov. 19 in Des Plaines. He was ordained in 1975 and served at St. Stephen Protomartyr, Des Plaines.

Deacon Teposky, a Navy veteran, is survived by his children Katherine Schmeltz and Michael Telposky and two grandchildren.

BVM Sister Helen (Paulita) Kerrigan, 96, died Nov. 16 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1940 and professed final vows in 1948.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Helen taught second grade at St. Jerome (1944-1945), and was an art teacher on the faculty at Mundelein College (1949-1953). She also taught at the elementary, high school and college levels in New York, Iowa, California and Missouri

Felician Sister Mary Clarine (Louise) Turczyn, 94, died Nov. 21 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Peru, Illinois, she entered the Felician Sisters in Chicago in 1943 and professed her final vows in 1951. She ministered in elementary schools as a kindergarten and primary teacher in Illinois and Wisconsin. Later, she served in various capacities at Our Lady of Creek Bend Convent in St. Charles, Illinois, and also in the Felician Sisters Provincial House.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Mary Magdalen (1943-1944); Ascension, Evanston (1945-1946); Holy Innocents (1946-1958); and SS. Peter and Paul (1960-1961).

BVM Sister Marion (Jean Victor) Pasidora, 89, died Nov. 24 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 from St. Andrew Parish and professed final vows in 1955.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marion taught St. Pius commercial classes held at St. Mary High School (1960); served on the office staff as bursar/treasurer and business manager at Carmel High School, Mundelein (1972-1988); was secretary at the University of St. Mary on the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (1988-2002); and later volunteered as assistant sacristan at St. Mary of Vernon, Indian Creek (2007-14). She also taught in Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin.