Deacon Gary Long, 86, died Oct. 9. He was ordained in 1999.

He served at St. Mary, Buffalo Grove, until retiring and moving to Florida with his wife, Jere, in 2019.

In addition to his wife, Deacon Long is survived by two daughters, Jennifer and Julie.

Sister of St. Casimir Delphine Grigas, 104, died Oct 11.

Born in Pennsylvania, she entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1938. She made her first profession of vows in 1941 and made her final vows in 1946. 

For 35 years, Sister Delphine taught children in grades one through eight in eight different states.  In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Delphine taught at Immaculate Conception (44th Street, 1940-1942; 1955-1956); St. Anthony (1953-1955); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1964-1967); and St. Pius X, Stickney (1974-1975). She served at St. Bartholomew in Waukegan from 1983 to 1984 and as a teacher’s aide and tutor at St. Norbert from 1984 to 1990. She also taught in elementary schools in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, California, Rhode Island and New Mexico. 

Sister Delphine then ministered at Holy Cross Hospital in pastoral care from 1975 to 1983. 

Sister Delphine retired in 2004 and most recently participated in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Viatorian Father James F. Fanale, 77, died unexpectedly on Oct. 13 in St. Anne, Illinois.

Born in Springfield, Illinois, Father Fanale pronounced his first vows in 1961 and was ordained in 1969 in Springfield.

He held both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English literature from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a doctorate in medieval English literature from the University of Illinois.

He taught high school and college and worked on post-graduate studies before beginning work on the history of the Viatorians in the Chicago Province (1990-1996), and taught part time at DePaul University (1990-1992). His last assignment came in 1996, when he was assigned as pastor of St. Anne Church in St. Anne. He retired in 2019 but continued to live in the community.

He is survived by his brothers Michael and Thomas Fanale and his sister Trudi Fanale.

Providence Sister Dorothy (Irene Therese) Drobis, 88, died Oct. 15.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1952 and professed final vows in 1959.

Of her 68 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as teacher for 40 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma and North Carolina. After retiring from teaching, she coordinated the memorial program at Misericordia Home in Chicago for five years. In 2000, she returned to the motherhouse and served her sisters as coordinator of health care transportation.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Sylvester (1970-1973), St. Andrew (1973-1976), Maternity BVM (1976-1984) and St. Mark (1984-1994) and ministered at Misericordia Home (1995-2000).

BVM Sister Barbara Jean (Jean Vincent) Tascher, 85, died Oct. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Charity BVM in 1952. She professed first vows in 1955 and final vows in 1960.

Sister Barbara Jean was an elementary teacher at St. Vincent in Chicago and St. Mary in DeKalb, Illinois. She also taught or ministered in Kansas City, Missouri; Phoenix; Santa Ana, Burbank, Orange and North Hollywood, California.

She is survived by a brother, Vincent Tascher, and sisters Carol Klenke and Mary Louise Tascher.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Michelle Germanson, 76, died Oct. 21. She served as president of Trinity High School, River Forest, from 1992 to 2018 and was the school’s first president.

Sister Michelle entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1965. Her first role at Trinity was as a member of the school’s first Board of Directors, beginning in 1990. That board made the unanimous decision to remain a single-gender girls’ high school under the Sinsinawa corporation. After careful study of the president/principal model, Sister Michelle, then dean of students at Rosary College (now Dominican University), was offered the presidency role at Trinity in 1992.

Sister Michelle was a tireless champion for the school, working with the board to develop a strategy and prioritize goals. She was determined to elevate academics, build spirit and engage community.

Under her leadership, Trinity became the first Catholic high school in Illinois to adopt the International Baccalaureate program in 1994 and adopted a full block schedule in 1995. The school also upgraded technology and engaged in a capital campaign to build what would become the Sister Michelle Germanson Athletic Facility in 2003. The school later added a health and fitness center to the facility.

Throughout her tenure, she partnered with four principals, 14 board chairs and 27 boards.

“She was devoted to Trinity and held the students and her Sinsinawa family in the highest regard as she worked daily to fulfill the mission,” said current Trinity president, Laura Curley. “Her efforts were dedicated to educating and empowering young women to learn and grow to be their best. She continued to be an inspiration of faith, study, prayer, warmth and laughter. We convey our deep gratitude for her contributions to this amazing school. Forever, her spirit will continue to inspire generations of our Trinity family and friends. She made a holy difference and with profound gratitude, we wish her the fullness of peace.”