Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Marcella (Eleonore) Falat, 93, died Sept. 15.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1946, at 22 years old, and professed final vows in 1954. 

She spent 50 years serving as a teacher or principal in Chicago area schools including Holy Trinity, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Patricia, St. Ladislaus, St. Emily, St. John the Baptist and St. Mary of Nazareth. She also spent three years at St. Andrew the Apostle School in Texas. Additionally, she served as a provincial councilor and director of ministry.

Deacon James F. Gaughan, 62, died Oct. 11 at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington. He was ordained in 2001 at served at St. Edna Parish.

Born in Evanston, Deacon Gaughan was a lifelong Cubs fan.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children Bobby and Scott Gaughan and Tracy Ellegood; his mother, Virginia; and his siblings Kathy Krakowski, Eileen Mattison and Tommy Gaughan.

Father Arthur J. Olsen, 53, died unexpectedly on Oct. 16 at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niles, where he was recovering from surgery. He was most recently the associate pastor of St. Emily Parish, Mount Prospect. 

Born in New Jersey, Father Olsen moved to the Chicago area as a child and attended Divine Infant Jesus School in Westchester and Proviso West High School in Hillside. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 1986. He later attended the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and was ordained in 1999.

He served as associate pastor of St. John Brebeuf, Niles (1999-2004); St. Mary, Lake Forest (2004-2007); St. Hilary (2007-2014); and St. Emily, Mount Prospect (2014-2017).

Father Olsen is survived by his father, Arthur Sr., and siblings Lori Baker and Erik, John and Chris Olsen.

Father Joseph Chen-Sheng Lee (Ly), 89, died at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niles on Aug. 20.

Father Lee had been associate pastor at St. Ferdinand Parish until 1992 and a resident at St. James Parish (Fullerton Avenue) until he retired in 1998.

Father Lee was born in the Anguo District of China and attended school there before attending seminary in Hong Kong and Montreal. He was ordained in Montreal in 1955 for the Diocese of Anguo.

However, he was unable to return to China. He earned a canon law degree at the Ottawa University in Canada and did post-graduate studies at Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University. He resided at St. Dionysius Parish, Cicero (1957-1958), St. Edward Parish (1958-1974) and St. Rosalie Parish, Harwood Heights (1974-1979). He was associate pastor at St. Ferdinand 1979-1992) and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1985.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Loretto Wolff, 94, died Oct. 3 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Nebraska, Sister Loretto made her first religious profession in 1945 and her final profession in 1948. 

She was a teacher, principal, pastoral minister, parish administrator, librarian and volunteer. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Loretto taught at St. Barnabas (1947-1953) and St. Luke, River Forest (1963-1967). 

She is survived by a sister, Dominican Sister Mary Wolff; and three brothers, John Wolff, Benedictine Abbot Theodore Wolff and F. Patrick Wolff.

Brother George Gregory Lindeman, a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, died Sept. 30. He was 89.

Brother George Gregory was a longtime educator and administrator at Leo, St. Laurence and Brother Rice High Schools and many others throughout the U.S. and Canada.

He is survived by 14 nieces and nephews.

Providence Sister Agnes Clare (Phyllis Marie) Buckley, 80, died on Sept. 23 in Boston. 

Born in Massachusetts, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1956 and professed final vows in 1963. 

She ministered in education for 42 years in schools in Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts.  

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Sorrows (1960-1961) and St. Agnes (1961-1963).

Sister Agnes Clare was an early recipient of a transplanted heart and the first woman undergoing this procedure in 1989. After her recovery, she continued to give herself energetically to ministry, teaching fifth grade for another 12 years and serving as a parish and school volunteer for seven years. She was the longest living heart transplant recipient at 28 years. 

Sister Agnes Clare is survived by her brother, James, and her sister, Catherine.

Mercy Sister Sharon (Margaret) Hamm, 87, died Sept. 19.

Born in Milwaukee, she entered Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines in 1948.

For over 50 years, Sister Sharon, whom some may remember as Sister Mary Misael, served in elementary schools in the dioceses of Davenport, Iowa; Rockford, Illinois; and Madison, Wisconsin; as well as the Archdiocese of Chicago. In the archdiocese, she taught in Des Plaines, Chicago, Libertyville, McHenry and Park Ridge, including 10 years at St. Stephen in Des Plaines and 21 years at St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge.

After retiring from teaching, Sister Sharon went back to St. Stephen, where she served as a librarian and then as a tutor. 

Franciscan Sister of Chicago M. Alacoque (Sophie) Czartoryski, 94, died Sept. 18.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was drawn to religious life by the sisters at St. Casimir School there. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago convent in 1931 at 15.

Two years later, after graduating high school, she entered the novitiate. She made her final vows in 1946.

She ministered for five years in the motherhouse and at St. Joseph Home for the Aged, which was attached to the convent, working as director of the residents; dining room and in the kitchen, garden, laundry and chapel. 

She taught at Five Holy Martyrs (1946-1949) and St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr (1949-1952). 

After getting a degree in home economics, she taught sewing and home nursing for 17 years at Madonna High School. Then, after completing a program for dietitians, she ministered as a hospital dietitian in South Dakota and Ohio. She returned to Madonna High School in 1984 and served as maintenance supervisor for a year.

After assignments in Ohio and Poland, she returned to Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont for a sabbatical year and ended up staying and working in several ministries. She held the position of minister of hospitality until 2014.

In 2011, she was the first recipient of the Franciscan Weaver Award, which honors a Franciscan Sister of Chicago who embodies the Franciscan charism and shows Franciscan joy in her daily life. 

Sister of St. Joseph Bonaventure Hill, 103, died Sept. 17.

Sister Bonaventure entered religious life in 1935 and was a teacher or principal for 41 years, serving at St. Barbara, Brookfield; St. Attracta, Cicero; St. Anthony; St. Margaret Mary; St. Hugh, Lyons; St. Leonard, Berwyn; and St. Cletus and St. Francis Xavier, LaGrange. 

She was also hostess at the Christian Life Center and archivist for her congregation.

Deacon Peter Morrissey, 81, died Sept. 23. He was ordained in 2001 and served at St. Leonard Parish, Berwyn.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Bernie; and his brother, Eugene.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Rita (Michael Sean) McSweeney, 78, died Sept. 7 in in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Detroit, she was in the 59th year of her religious life.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1959-1962); taught (1967-1972) and was principal (1974-1981) at Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor; taught at St. Albert the Great, Burbank (1972-1974); was principal at St. Clare of Montefalco (1981-1983); and taught at St. Cajetan (1983-1990). She then ministered as a program director for the elderly at Marillac House Social Center (1991-2017).

Providence Sister Richard (Dorothy Ann) Bussing, 95, died Sept. 5 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1940 and professed final vows in 1948. During her 77 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education and as a caregiver and pastoral associate in Illinois, North Carolina, California, Texas, Indiana and Montana.  

She was skilled in many crafts and made many Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls through the years. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Andrew (1944-1948), St. Sylvester (1951-1955) and St. Mel (1965-1966). 

Sister Richard is survived by two brothers, Sylvester and Jerome Bussing.

Mercy Sister Kathleen (Sheila Marie) Moriarty, 81, died died of pneumonia Aug. 20 at Mercy Circle.

Born in Chicago, she was the oldest of 10 children. She was taught by Sisters of Mercy at St. Joachim School and Mercy High School in Chicago. She entered the convent in 1954, at 18.

She began her ministry teaching first grade at schools in Chicago and Libertyville, as well as in other Illinois and Wisconsin communities.

She eventually served as principal at St. Joan of Arc, Skokie, and St. Joachim. She ministered the longest at Mother McAuley High School, where she taught math from 1978 to 1983. After being plagued with arthritis, she underwent a knuckle-replacement surgery. Because it became too hard to hold the chalk and teach, she earned a counseling degree. She ministered at Mother McAuley as a counselor for an additional 22 years, until 2006. 

Deacon Morris Bohannon, 92, died on Sept. 3. He was ordained in 1985 and had served at St. Clotilde Parish.

He served for 29 years in the U.S. Army and worked for 26 years for the U.S. Postal Service in Chicago, overseeing the administration of postal systems in 13 states.

He was retired from ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago and had been living in St. Louis.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ida; his daughter, Victoria; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a sister.

Deacon Terry Dineen, 79, died Aug. 26. He was ordained in 1978 and had served 18 years at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Palatine.

He also ministered at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

Dineen was born in Milwaukee and worked for International Paper and Hudson Pulp & Paper.

His wife, Judith, predeceased him; he is survived by his children, Amy Close and Julie, Paul and Pete Dineen; and 11 grandchildren.

Adrian Dominican Sister Susanne (Elizabeth) Hofweber, 97, died Aug. 27 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Detroit, she was in her 80th year of religious life. She ministered in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. She also was executive director of the National Conference Diocesan DRE-CCD for six years, and for two years was the national program director for St. Vincent Center of Apostolic Development, both located in Washington, D.C. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kilian (1938-1939), St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1939-1940) and St. Carthage (1940-1941).

Sister Susanne is survived by her sister, Marian Zeleznik, and her brother, August J. (Jack) Hofweber.

BVM Sister Mary Ellen Caldwell, 97, died Aug. 22 in Dubuque, Iowa.

She was born in Milwaukee. She entered the BVM congregation in 1938 and professed final vows in 1946.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Ellen taught at St. Vincent School. She also ministered in Kansas, Iowa and Ghana.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Smith, and her brothers Jesuit Father Thomas Caldwell and Joseph Kerwin Caldwell.

BVM Sister Mary Terese (Lumina) Rink, 88, died Aug. 13 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1951 and professed final vows in 1959.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Terese taught secondary school at Immaculata High School, and Delano, Froebel and Dunbar high schools. At the University of Illinois Medical Center, she served in clerical work, as coordinator for the Disabled Children’s Program and as a case manager. She also served in Tennessee and Iowa.

She is survived by her sisters Margery Petrzelka, Helen Mangrum and Katie Cahalan.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Blanche (Stephanie) Zalewski, 92, died July 27 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at Holy Trinity Church. She entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1943 and became a novice that same year. Following her first profession of vows in 1945, Sister Blanche began teaching at St. Hedwig School. 

She professed her perpetual vows in 1951. For 43 years, Sister Blanche taught in the Chicago area; in Marayong, Australia; and later in Texas and North Dakota.

From 1988 until 2009, she ministered in pastoral care at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago.

Deacon Herbert F. Drazba, 83, of Dolton, died Aug. 27. He was ordained in 1975 and served at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in South Holland.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 706 and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Genoa Council.

He was married to his late wife, Dorothy, for 57 years.

He is survived by his children Michael, Thomas and Therese Drazba; his grandchildren Christopher, Scott, Dawn, Samantha and Rebecca Drazba and Walter Smith; one great-grandchild; his brother, Walter Drazba; and his sister, Dominican Sister Eunice Drazba.

BVM Sister Mary C. (Clemento) McGovern, 97, died Aug. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1937 and professed final vows in 1945.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught music at St. Gilbert, Grayslake; St. Eulalia, Maywood; and St. Jerome. She also ministered in Wyoming and Iowa.

Resurrection Sister Rita Mary Ganser, 75, died July 26 at Resurrection Life Center. 

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at Annunciation Parish. She was received into the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1955 and pronounced her final vows in 1964.

Sister Rita Mary taught for 26 years at St. Mary of the Angels, St. Casimir and St. Thecla. She also taught at St. Bede, Ingleside, as well as in Florida and Alabama.

Sister Rita Mary served as the director of religious education at St. Mary of the Angels Parish (1986-1991). In 1995, Sister Rita Mary started a career in pastoral care in health care, serving at Resurrection Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for 16 years. More recently, she volunteered there, coordinating and scheduling the ministers of care and other volunteers.

She is survived by a brother, William.

Deacon James Francis Gallagher, 93, died Aug. 6. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. James Parish, Highwood.

He was born in Highland Park, where he met and was married to his wife, Dorothy, for 69 years. 

He was a World War II veteran, having served as a sergeant in the Air Force 71st Bombardment Squadron – Wolf Pack.

He is survived by his children Jamie, Cindy and Michael Gallagher; his grandchildren Michael and Mark Gallagher and his great-grandchild Jules.

Father Daniel Sullivan, 91, died Aug. 16 at Holy Family Villa in Palos Park. He had been pastor at St. Gerard Majella Parish, Markham, until his retirement in 1996. 

A Chicago native, Father Sullivan attended Resurrection School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1953. 

He was assistant pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, Cicero (1953-1960); assistant pastor of St. Eulalia Parish, Maywood (1960-1965); assistant pastor of St. Sabina Parish (1965-1971); and assistant pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Chicago Heights (1971-1977).

In 1977, Father Sullivan was named pastor of St. Gerard Majella Parish, Markham, and served in that role until retiring in 1996.

Father John Edward Tilford, 76, died Aug. 14, at Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights. He had been associate pastor at St. Michael the Archangel Parish until he retired in 2014.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Laurence School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary North and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1966. 

He later earned a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Thomas of Canterbury (1966-1971) and assistant pastor of St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park (1974-1978), before being named and pastor of St. Bridget (1981-1990). In 1990, Father Tilford was named pastor of St. Michael the Archangel and served in that role until stepping down to associate pastor in 2004 and retiring in 2014.

In addition to serving Catholics in parishes around the archdiocese, Father Tilford was the area chaplain for Catholic Scouts in 1968, an assistant administrator at Angel Guardian Orphanage (1971-1974) and an assistant executive director at Maryville Academy (1978-1981). Father Tilford was known for his work with underprivileged youth and young adults, especially within Hispanic communities.

Father Tilford is survived by his sister, Mary Boettcher.

Sister of St. Casimir Georgine Cizauskas, 90, died Aug. 1.

Born in New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sister Georgine entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1944. She made her first profession of vows in 1947, and made her final vows in 1952.

She taught in elementary and high schools in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Rhode Island. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as a teacher at Nativity BVM, Marquette Park (1952-1953); St. Bartholomew School, Waukegan (1960-1963), and Maria High School (1963-2005). After she retired, she took on volunteer roles in the school.

Most recently Sister Georgine participated in the ministry of prayer (2011-2017) at the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Casimir and then at Franciscan Village, Lemont.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Joanne (Mary Gregory) Seiser, 89, died July 28 in Cincinnati.

Born in Indiana, Sister Joanne entered the community in 1948 and made her final vows in 1953. She taught in elementary and secondary schools in Ohio and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Notre Dame High School (1967-1968), in campus ministry at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1968-1979) and as part of the Lay Ministry Training Program (1979-1985).

She is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen Pfeiffer.

Providence Sister Eileen (Mary Jane) Clare Goetzen, 94, died July 26 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence from St. Genevieve Parish in 1941 and professed final vows in 1949.

She was an elementary and high school teacher and on the clerical staff at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Columbkille (1955-1957); Providence High School (1966-1969); Our Lady of Sorrows (1969-1983); and Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1983-2005).

Conventual Franciscan Father John Peter Grigus, 65, died July 21 at the Felician Sisters convent in Chicago. He was rector of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Shrine at Marytown in Libertyville.

Born in Poland, he received his masters of Divinity at Catholic Theological Union. He professed his first vows in 1985, was ordained a priest in 1989 and made his solemn vows in 2000.

For the past 20 years, he led numerous religious retreats and authored many video presentations and broadcasts.