Redemptorist Father Thomas Franciscus, 85, died Feb. 13 in Arizona.

Born in Nebraska, he entered the Redemptorists’ St. Joseph College in Kirkwood, Missouri, in 1957. He professed temporary vows in 1960. In 1963, at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, he professed permanent vows and in 1965 he was ordained a priest.

After ordination, he served for one year in St. Louis before being assigned to St. Michael Parish in Old Town. He earned a master’s degree in theology from Loyola University Chicago while in full-time ministry. In addition to providing Spanish-language catechesis, he worked with members of youth gangs and engaged in government redevelopment programs.

He later ministered in Missouri and Colorado, before moving to California’s Central Valley, always working in Hispanic ministry. During that time, he earned a licentiate in canon law and began working in the tribunal in the Diocese of Stockton before serving as judicial vicar in the Dioceses of Reno, Nevada, and Monterey, California, while also in parish ministry.

He joined the Redemptorist Renewal Center community in Tucson, Arizona, in 2023.

Adrian Dominican Sister Shirley Mary (James Barbara) Heymes, 94, died Nov. 22, 2024, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 76th year of her religious life.

Sister Shirley ministered 46 years in education in Chicago as well as in Florida, Michigan and Ohio, and she was a volunteer for 11 years at the Dominican Literacy Center in Detroit.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita of Cascia School.

She is survived by two brothers, Paul Heymes and James Heymes, and a sister, Barbara DeCrick.

Adrian Dominican Sister Miriam Joseph (Josephine Bernadette) Lekan, 101, died Nov. 23, 2024, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Cleveland, she was in the 81st year of her religious life.

She ministered in education and nursing in Illinois, Michigan, Florida and Ohio.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Katherine (Sean Marie) Dolan, 85, died Dec. 4, 2024, in Adrian, Michigan. She was in the 66th year of her life.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Academy of Our Lady in Chicago and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and a master of divinity degree in pastoral ministry from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.

Sister Mary Katherine ministered in education, community organization, administration and as a pastoral associate in California, Arizona, Missouri and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was a pastoral associate at St. Martin de Porres Parish (1992-1993) and administrator of Grace House women’s residence (1994-2011).

She is survived by two brothers, Thomas Dolan and Lawrence Dolan.

Adrian Dominican Sister Shirley (Elaine Therese) Boettcher, 94, died Dec. 12, 2024, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 77th year of her religious life.

Sister Shirley ministered in education and nursing in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, New York, Iowa and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita of Cascia (1953-1954); St. Carthage (1954-1957), St. Columbanus (1957-1959); Bishop Quarter, Oak Park (1967-1968); and St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1968).

Sister Shirley is survived by a sister, Elaine Marcotte.

Adrian Dominican Sister Margaret Mary (Richard Mary) Heinz, 97, died Dec. 14, 2024, in Adrian, Michigan. She was in the 78th year of her religious life.

Born in Chicago, Sister Marg graduated from Aquinas High School. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and was licensed in clinical pastoral education.

She ministered in education and pastoral care in Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1961-1966) and Aquinas High School (1966-1969) and was director of pastoral care at Ravenswood Hospital (1976-1997).

She is survived by a sister, Rita Heinz.

Little Sister of the Poor Josephine Brannan, 79, died Feb. 7 in Palatine after a long illness.

Born in St. Louis, she entered the Little Sisters of the Poor in 1965.

After professing her vows in 1968, and for the next 57 years, she devoted herself to a life of service for the needy elderly in a variety of roles and locations.

She is survived by two brothers and three sisters.

Deacon Thomas Corcoran, 81, died Jan. 23.

He was ordained in 1994 and served at St. Raymond de Penafort Parish, Mount Prospect (1994-2003), and Our Lady of the Wayside Parish, Arlington Heights.

At Our Lady of the Wayside, Deacon Corcoran oversaw the care and outreach ministries, including Respect Life, PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter), Our Lady of Unity (formerly St. Mark) sharing parish activities, ministry of care, bereavement ministries, shawl ministry, special needs ministry and domestic abuse ministry.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Irene.

Providence Sister André (Genevieve Louise) Panepinto, 82, died Jan. 11 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Joliet, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1960 and professed final vows in 1968. During her 64 years in religious life, she ministered in elementary education in Illinois for 22 years, nine of which were as principal. After four years as director of the Learning Resource Center at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, she taught another 20 years in Massachusetts, retiring in 2012.

In 2015, she moved back to Illinois, giving service as needed to her sisters. In 2018, she moved to the motherhouse where she ministered as a driver. Beginning in 2022, her physical condition required that she dedicate herself totally to the ministry of prayer.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at Maternity BVM (1965-1968) and Mother Guerin Convent, River Grove (2015-2018).

She is survived by a sister, Mary Kay Scholtes, and a brother, Ignatius Panepinto.

School Sister of Notre Dame Donita Mathis, 95, died Jan. 14 at Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 72 years. She served as an elementary school teacher in Chicago and Blue Island and as a registered nurse in Chicago, Oak Park and Des Plaines. She was a minister of prayer and presence at Frances Manor in Des Plaines, Resurrection Life Center in Chicago and Marian Village in Homer Glen.