Franciscan Sister Patricia (Helen) Heuer, 103, died March 11 in the 86th year of her religious life.

She was born in South Dakota and entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1933 and made her final vows in 1939.

She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Loras College in Dubuque. Sister Patricia ministered as an educator in Iowa in Waterloo, Sioux City, and Dyersville; in Illinois at Midlothian, Melrose Park and North Riverside; and in California in Crescent City.

Adrian Dominican Sister Ruth (Joan Francis) Rabideau, 93, died March 12 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 75th year of her religious life.

She served in education and as a pastoral minister in Michigan, Illinois and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1948-1952); St. Edmund, Oak Park (1963-1965); and St. Rita Elementary School (1965-1967).

She is survived by a sister, Joan Mendicino.

Sister of Christian Charity Carolyn (Agnita) Eultgen, 94, died March 16 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in St. Louis, she entered the convent in 1939. She made first vows in 1944.

She taught at St. Raphael (1944-1957) and St. Gregory (1966-1972) and was principal at St. Theresa, Palatine (1984-1988) and St. Martha, Morton Grove (1988-1991).

She also ministered to the Lakota Sioux people on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.

In 2008, Sister Carolyn returned to Wilmette as local leader of Sacred Heart Convent. In 2010, due to health problems, she became a patient there.

Providence Sister Christine (Eleanor Mae) Patrick, 89, died March 20 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957.

She ministered as a teacher, principal and administrator in Illinois; Indiana; Oklahoma; Washington, D.C.; and Florida. A lover of animals, especially dogs, upon retirement she volunteered at the Southeastern Guide Dogs in East Palmetto, Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Mel-Holy Ghost (1952-1953) and Maternity BVM (1956-1958).

Sister Christine is survived by a sister, Zoe Booker.

Sister Marie David (Mary Catherine) Schroeder, 97, died March 30 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

She ministered in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California before returning to the motherhouse, where she served in the business office and gift shop.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at Maternity BVM (1943-1947); St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1951-1952); St. Mel (1954-1957); and St. Sylvester (1973).

Father Ronald H. Anglim, 81, died March 7. He was pastor emeritus of St. Peter, Antioch.

Born in Chicago, Father Anglim attended St. Ignatius High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1965.

He was assistant pastor of St. Giles, Oak Park, and St. Francis Borgia. He was associate pastor of St. Barbara, Brookfield, and Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge. He was pastor of Holy Family, North Chicago; St. Joseph, Libertyville; and St. Peter, Antioch, where he was named pastor emeritus in 2009. Father Anglim also served as chaplain of the Navy League of the United States.

Mercy Sister Sheila (Mary Carmeletta) Lyne, 83, died March 10.

Born on the South Side of Chicago, she attended Little Flower School and Mercy High School. After graduating from high school, she joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1953 and wanted to become a nurse.

She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at Saint Xavier University and ministered at hospitals in Aurora, Illinois, and in Iowa.

In 1971, she began a long career in administration at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, first as an administrator and then twice as CEO. During her time as CEO, she earned a master’s degree in business from the University of Chicago.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Sister Sheila as commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health, a position she held from 1990 to 2001. Sister Sheila was the first woman and the first non-physician to serve in that role. She gained national attention for creating comprehensive women’s health programs, including a plan for domestic violence and improving prenatal care.

Concerned about the number of individuals affected by AIDS, she increased funding from $4 million to $40 million and implemented many programs to help the people of Chicago.

Mercy Hospital was in a dire financial situation in 2000 when Sister Sheila decided to return to the hospital as CEO. “There were those who urged us to move so we’d get away from poor people. But we’re not running from the poor. What would Catherine McAuley think of us if we did?” Sister Sheila is reported to have said.

Instead, Sister Sheila recovered old insurance claims, reached out to former donors and added facilities. A state-of-the-art MRI Center, a Heart and Vascular Care Center and the Comprehensive Breast Care Center, named after Sister Sheila Lyne, are three of the programs she initiated.

Sister Sheila negotiated the movement of Mercy Hospital to Trinity Health System in 2012, months before her retirement.

Sister of Christian Charity M.  Consuela (Virginia) Chase, 99, died Feb. 23 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette. 

Born in Detroit, she entered the convent in 1934 and made her first vows in 1939.

She taught elementary school at St. Gregory (1942-1943, 1967-1970) and St. Raphael as well as in other states.

In 1974, Sister M. Consuela returned to Wilmette. In 1978, after teaching in the English as a Second Language program at Mallinckrodt College for three years, she became its director. In 1999, Sister Consuela moved to Josephinum Convent, where she taught in the SCC Literacy Program. Two years later, Sister Consuela began her ministry of office clerk at Josephinum Middle School. 

In 2013, Sister M. Consuela moved to Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette, where she used her writing skills to thank benefactors for donations.

Franciscan Sister of Chicago Mary Josetta Kuczmarski, 95, died Feb. 26.

She entered the order in 1944 from Greenfield, Massachusetts, and made her first vows in 1947 and her final vows in 1952.

She did her novitiate in Lemont (1945-1946), taught as a novice at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr (1946-1947), and then taught at Five Holy Martyrs (1947-1950) and St. Florian (1951-1954). She served at St. Pancratius (1988-1998) as a teacher, driver, extraordinary minister of Communion and lector. She also served in Indiana and Ohio before retiring to the Lemont motherhouse in 2015.

Benedictine Sister Amy (Romona Frances) Campbell, 99, died Feb. 27 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

Born in Denver, she attended St. Scholastica Academy in Cañon City, Colorado, and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in 1938 and made her final vows in 1943.

Sister Amy had a long career in education, mostly in the middle or primary grades, in both Colorado and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Amy taught at St. Hilary (1940-1941, 1954-1957); St. George (1941-1943); Mother of God, Waukegan (1943-1948); and St. John Nepomucene (1957-1963).

Franciscan Father Venard (Alphonse) Kommer, 99, of Clarendon Hills, died March 2 in Hinsdale.

Born in Germany, he entered the Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province in 1940 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1946 in Teutopolis, Illinois.

After other assignments in Illinois and Michigan, he served in Chicago at Corpus Christi Parish, Corpus Christi High School and Hales Franciscan High School. 

He later served in schools and hospitals in DuPage County.

Adrian Dominican Sister Anastasia (John Leo) McNichols, 91, died March 4 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she attended Trinity High School in River Forest and was in her 70th year of religious life.

Sister Anastasia ministered in education, congregation leadership and pastoral care in Michigan, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, California and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was chapter prioress for the Upper Midwest Mission Chapter, Hometown (1985-1991); administrator of the Regina Dominican Convent, Wilmette (1992-1993); campus minister at Marist High School (1993-1997); a grief minister at Parkside Chapel (1997-1999); a volunteer at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park (2001-2008); and a minister of care in Oak Lawn (2008-2016).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Ann (Michaud) O’Hara, 89, died Feb. 2 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Ann made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She taught for 38 years and served as a pastoral minister for 15 years. She served in Minnesota, Alabama, Wisconsin and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Ann served as pastoral minister at Resurrection Life Center (1997-2004).

BVM Sister Joan (Magdaletta) Stritesky, 91, died Feb. 18 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1946, from Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, Cicero. She professed first vows in 1949 and final vows in 1954.

She taught religious education at St. Celestine, Elmwood Park. She was a teacher and principal in Iowa, Tennessee, Colorado, California and in other towns in Illinois. She was an educational consultant for the Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee, the director of elementary schools for the Archdiocese of Denver, and a counselor for the Family Life Office of the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa. She served the congregation as coordinator of BVM Associate Program. She is survived by a sister, Shirley Boone.

Father William P. Welsh, 85, died Feb. 14. He was retired after serving most recently as associate pastor of St. Lambert Parish, Skokie.

Born in Chicago, Father Welsh attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1960.

After ordination, Welsh was assistant pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette; St. Sabina; St. Benedict (Irving Park Road) and St. Emily, Mount Prospect. He then served as associate pastor of St. Theresa, Palatine; Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor and St. Lambert. After he retired in 2004, he served as chaplain for the Carmelite Sisters in Des Plaines.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Barbara Ann Nowosielski, 81, died Dec. 18 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. John Cantius and Holy Family Academy. She entered religious life in 1956 and professed her final vows in 1965. She earned a bachelor’s degree from De Lourdes in Des Plaines and a master’s degree from the University of Dayton in Ohio.

She began serving in education ministry in 1960 at St. Andrew, Calumet City, then moved to Immaculate Heart of Mary. She spent 17 years serving as a teacher and principal in Texas schools. In 1982, she returned to Chicago and taught at St. Ann. In 1985, she began serving at St. Emily, Mount Prospect, where she would minister for 34 years.

Adorer of the Blood of Christ Sister Marian Russo, 76, died Feb. 1, in Ruma, Illinois.

Born in Philadelphia, she made her first profession of vows in 1968 and her final profession in 1973.

She taught at St. Jerome, and she taught elementary and high school in Pennsylvania. She also worked in the province offices there.

For several years, Sister Marian worked as an administrative assistant with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Marriage Tribunal Office.

She is survived by her mother, Marian Alice Russo Steele; and her brother, Arthur Russo.

Adrian Dominican Sister Denise (Thomas Irene) Devitt, 82, died Feb. 6 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Loretto Academy. She was in the 63rd year of her religious life.

She ministered in elementary and secondary education, in congregation leadership and as a pastoral minister.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Laurence (1962-1967); Aquinas High School (1970-1971, 1972-1978); and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Westchester (1978-1980). She was academy adviser and campus minister at Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1980-1982); chapter prioress for the Upper Midwest Chapter of her congregation, Hometown (1982-1985); pastoral counselor at St. Victor Parish, Calumet City (1987-1994), and St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Orland Hills (1994-1995); director of pastoral care at Bethlehem Woods Retirement Center, La Grange Park (1999); hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood (2001); hospice chaplain at Hospice of North Shore, Evanston (2001-2002); assistant librarian at Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (2002-2008); and chaplain at Glenbrook Hospital, Glenview (2009-2012).

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Marie Shields, 81, died Dec. 31, 2019. She was in her 64th year of religious life.

A native of Chicago, Sister Marie attended St. Ferdinand Parish and Notre Dame High School for Girls, where she was educated by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She entered religious life in 1955 and taught for 14 years in parish schools in Ohio.

She then dedicated 51 years of service to the church in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to Cincinnati, Ohio, in the ministry of prayer in 2019.

Norbertine Father Brian John Prunty, 83, died Jan. 4.

Born in Wisconsin, he discerned his call to priesthood while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school. In 1956, he enrolled at St. Norbert College and entered the Norbertines a year later. He professed simple vows in 1959, solemn vows in 1962 and was ordained in 1965.

During the 1960s and 1970s, he taught at schools in Wisconsin, Michigan and Chicago, including St. Willibrord Catholic High School in Chicago. He served as pastor at St. Willibrord Parish and became president and chief administrator of the high school.

In 1983, Father Prunty worked as a physician assistant at the Cook County Jail hospital in Chicago and ministered at various Chicago parishes. His medical skills and passion for diversity led him to more than 20 years of work there. He also volunteered at a neighborhood free clinic.

He then joined the Norbertine mission on the Napo River in Peru. Three years later, Father Prunty returned to Chicago and resumed his ministry at the Cook County Jail hospital.

In 1995, he became associate director of formation and house superior at the Holy Spirit House of Studies in Chicago, while serving on the Abbot’s Council, the order’s personnel board and as a member of the St. Norbert College Board of Trustees.

He became pastor at St. Norbert College and house superior at St. Joseph Priory, De Pere, Wisconsin, in 2002. He continued to teach at the college until 2010. He retired to St. Norbert Abbey in 2014.

Father Prunty is survived by two sisters, Jane Schermitzler and Margaret Klegin.

Viatorian Father Simon P. Lefebvre, 92, died Jan. 13 at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights.

Born in Quebec, Canada, Father Lefebvre made his first vows in Montreal in 1946, his final profession in 1956 in Arlington Heights and was ordained the same year in Chicago.

As a Viatorian, he taught in Peoria, Illinois; Las Vegas; Quebec; and California. He also taught at the secondary school and university levels in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Father Lefebvre spent the rest of his ministry in parish work in California.

He moved to the Viatorian retirement residence in 2016.

Father Lefebvre is survived by his brothers, Jean and Louis, and his sisters, Jean Coolins and Lena Baker.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Jan Brynda, 84, died Jan. 23 at Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn.

Born in Chicago, Sister Jan made her first religious profession in 1955 and her perpetual profession in 1958. She taught for 17 years and was principal for seven years and educational supervisor, instructor and consultant for 25 years. Sister Jan ministered as a pastoral associate for 12 years and director of adult faith formation for three years. She served in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Jan served as education consultant for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls (1991-1993); pastoral associate at St. Jane de Chantal Parish (1993-2000); and director of adult faith formation at St. Benedict Parish, Blue Island (2000-2003). She ministered at Dominican University, River Forest, in the School of Education as an academic advisor and adjunct instructor (2003-2012) and supervisor of student teachers (2003-2008) as well as at the Sr. Mary Nona McGreal Center for Dominican Historical Studies as a volunteer (2012-2020).

She is survived by a sister, Dominican Sister Eileen Brynda.

Deacon Gilberto Cintron, 87, died Jan. 7. He was ordained in 1975 and served at St. Hedwig Parish.

Deacon Cintron was born in Puerto Rico. He was married to his wife, Maria, for 62 years. He had nine children and more than 30 grandchildren and was a father figure to many more.

Benedictine Sister Eleanore (Rita) Hillenbrand, 95, died Oct. 29 at St. Joseph Court-St. Scholastica Monastery.

Born in Chicago, Sister Eleanore attended St. Hilary School and St. Scholastica High School. She was accepted into the community as an aspirant in 1942 and she professed her final vows in 1947. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in English from DePaul University. She taught at St. Hilary, St. Symphorosa and St. Lambert, Skokie, as well as in Colorado. She served at St. Scholastica High School (1957-1992), including as chair of the English Department. In her community, she served as the director of studies and executive secretary to the prioress.

Benedictine Sister Ann (Charlotte) Sharp, 99, died Dec. 27 at St. Joseph Court-St. Scholastica Monastery

A native of Chicago, Sister Ann attended Sullivan High School for two years before transferring to St. Scholastica High School becoming a postulant of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago during the fall of 1937, her senior year. She professed final vows in 1949.

Sister Ann attended De Paul University for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. While completing her studies, she began teaching at Queen of All Saints in 1940 as a member of the original faculty. In 1945, she taught middle- to upper-grade students at Mother of God in Waukegan.

During her remaining 23 years in elementary education, Sister Ann taught at St. Symphorosa, St. Joseph and St. Lambert, Skokie, as well as in Colorado. In 1968, she joined the faculty at St. Scholastica Academy, and she served as dean from 1973 through 1978.

She was elected prioress of the community in 1978 and served until 1982. During her term, St. Joseph Court, a two-winged facility, was built at the north end of the 1906 monastery building, to be the health care facility for the sisters.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Lucille (Mauricio) Gardner, 84, died Dec. 30.

Born in Peoria, Illinois, Sister Lucy made her first religious profession in 1955 and her perpetual profession in 1958. She served in education and as a consolation minister in New Jersey, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and Texas.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Lucy taught at Visitation (1957-1960) and St. Barnabas (1967-1971) and was principal at the combined St. Patrick/St. Alphonsus School, Lemont (1979-1984).

She is survived by a sister, Mildred Banister.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Marie Shields, 81, died Dec. 31 in Cincinnati.

Born in Chicago, she was in her 64th year of religious life.

Sister Marie taught in mostly inner-city parish schools in Ohio for 14 years. She later served for 51 years in Columbus, Ohio, doing parish ministry.

Sister Marie loved her work, and the parishioners loved her. She sparked parish support for a local food pantry and homeless shelter, for farm projects in Ghana and Ecuador and for national social justice groups like Network, Pax Christi and Bread for the World. She started an initiative to collect new clothes for people who needed them and connected the parishioners to the work of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur around the world.

She retired in 2019.

Felician Sister Mary Ruthilia (Helen) Kobitta, 90, died Jan. 3 at Swedish Covenant Hospital.

She attended St. Joseph elementary and high schools on the South Side of Chicago. She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1947 and professed her final vows in 1955.  She ministered for 49 years in elementary schools as a teacher in Illinois and Wisconsin. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. James (1949-1951), St. Wenceslaus (1951-1952); St. Mary Magdalene (1952-1955); St. Isidore, Blue Island (1960-1966); St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1973-1983); and St. Turibius (1987-1997).

Providence Sister Mary Maxine Teipen, 91, died Jan. 5 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1946 professed final vows in 1953.

Of her 74 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 21 years in Indiana and Illinois, including at St. Mel (1948-1953). She later was treasurer for her community, provincial and a member of the congregation’s general council.

Sister Mary Maxine is survived by a sister, Mary Lou Dunlop.

Sister of St. Joseph Alice Vincent, 87, died Jan. 3.

Born in Vermont, she was in religious life for 68 years.

Sister Alice was an elementary teacher in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 37 years before serving as a hospital chaplain in Missouri for 16 years. 

She retired to LaGrange Park in 2007 and continued to do congregational ministry work as a volunteer until 2010.

She is survived by siblings Daniel, Robert, Andy, Lawrence, John, Mary, Laurette and Lucille.

Providence Sister Patricia (Joseph Monica) Fillenwarth, 79, died on Jan. 7 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1958 and professed final vows in 1965.

Sister Patty ministered in Indiana and Washington, D.C., before spending five years teaching in Arequipa, Peru. She then served 16 years as principal of Maternity BVM. She also served as councilor for the St. Joseph Province, headquartered in Chicago, for the last eight of those years.

Having experienced the needs of families in Humboldt Park, Sister Patty became a certified counselor and opened Providence Family Services, which offered bilingual family counseling at little or no charge. After giving 24 years to this ministry, she retired in 2018 and returned to the motherhouse.

Sister Patty is survived by her sister, Providence Sister Joseph Fillenwarth, and her brother, John Fillenwarth.

Father Michael J. Walsh, 89, died Dec. 31. He was a former associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Palos Hills.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Francis de Paula School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1956.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Ambrose; Holy Name of Mary; Santa Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein; Our Lady of Lourdes; and St. Helena of the Cross. He was associate pastor of St. Richard and Sacred Heart, Palos Hills. He retired from active ministry in 2000.

School Sister of Notre Dame Martin Therese (Janet) Gensler, 84, died at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox Dec. 13.

Born in Kickapoo, Illinois, Sister Martin Therese was a vowed member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 64 years.

She professed first vows in 1955, and took her final vows in 1961.

Sister Martin taught for more than 44 years. Her assignments included primary and intermediate grades at St. Constance and St. Alphonsus in Chicago as well as in other communities in Illinois and Indiana.

At St. Alphonsus, where she served from 1971 to 1992, Sister Martin taught seventh and eighth grades, was the media specialist and served as assistant principal.

Sister Martin moved to Marian Village in Homer Glen in September 2019 and then to Mother Theresa Home in Lemont.

Holy Cross Sister M. Lourdes (Anna May) Kelly, 109, died Dec. 19.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, the youngest of 11 children, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1935 when her sister, Holy Cross Sister Mary Martha (Elizabeth) Kelly brought her back to the United States with her. Sister Mary Lourdes made her initial profession of vows in 1938.

After a series of bureaucratic mix-ups, she became a citizen of the United States in 1948.

She began her teaching career in 1938, serving at schools throughout Indiana and Illinois. In 1980, she retired to St. Mary’s Convent in Indiana, where she made a daily trip to the grotto at the University of Notre Dame — on foot, if her ride was not on time.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marie Janet Meis, 94, died Dec. 25 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Iowa, Sister Marie Janet made her first religious profession in 1945 and her perpetual profession in 1948. She taught for 30 years and was principal for 13 years. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, California and Colorado.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marie Janet taught at St. Sabina (1945-1951) and St. Brendan (1960-1968).

Adrian Dominican Sister Joanne (Jessica) Podlucky, 71, died Dec. 25 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Pennsylvania, she was in the 52nd year of religious life, 12 years in the Vincentian Sisters of Charity and 40 years in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

She taught in schools in Pennsylvania, Alabama and Chicago before serving as a communications director and media specialist for the Adrian Dominican Congregation and Mercy Health Services in Farmington Hills, Michigan, as well as for a private media consulting company.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Presentation (1976-1977) and Precious Blood/Presentation (1977-1978).

She is survived by two sisters, Francine Hill and Carolyn Silka, and two brothers, Joseph Podlucky and Ronald Podlucky.

Providence Sister Charles Ellen (Mary Cleophas) Turk, 101, died Dec. 25 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, Sister Charles Ellen entered the Sisters of Providence in 1936 and professed final vows in 1944.

In her 84 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 47 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. She served as principal for 15 of those years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Leo (1938-1939); St. Angela (1939-1941, 1944-1950); St. Mel (1941); and St. Mel-Holy Ghost (1941-1944). She was principal of Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1969-1973).

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Mary Irene Spraley, 94, died Nov. 13 in Cincinnati.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, she recently celebrated her 75th year of religious life.

Sister Mary Irene began her 51-year career in education teaching first graders at St. Peter Canisius Parish School (1946-1950). She spent the rest of her teaching career in Ohio.

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Ann Marie (Patricia Ann) Cwick, 64, died Nov. 21 in Chicago.

Born in Chicago and baptized at St. Adalbert Church, she entered religious life in 1973. She attended Oakton Community College in Des Plaines and St. Mary of Nazareth School of Nursing in Chicago and earned her registered nurse certificate in 1980. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from DePaul University in 1990 and a master’s in pastoral ministry from Catholic Theological Union in 2007.

She ministered for 34 years at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital (now AMITA Health Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center) as a medical-surgical and oncology nurse. She was the last Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth to minister at the hospital, which her congregation founded in 1894.

In her free time, Sister Ann Marie helped in parish ministry at St. Helen, St. Mark, St. Malachy and St. Ann.

In 2014, she began serving as the parish nurse at St. Cornelius, a ministry she continued until she became ill in the summer of 2019.

Mercy Sister Mary Lois (Leona) Bartnicki, 88, died Nov. 23.

Born in Milwaukee, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines at the age of 17.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Xavier University, and she taught from 1951 to 2001 in parochial elementary schools throughout the dioceses of Milwaukee and Madison in Wisconsin, and Chicago and Peoria in Illinois.

After retirement, she served as a substitute teacher for eight years.

In the summers, she taught religion classes. An athlete at heart, Sister Lois could often be found at church festivals giving lessons on how to play ring toss.

Mercy Sister Therese (Tarasia) Windham, 87, died Nov. 24 at Mercy Circle.

Sister Therese graduated from Mercy High School in Chicago in 1946 and worked as a sales clerk, typist and tutor before entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1952.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Saint Xavier University in 1957 and began teaching physics, chemistry, math and computer science, mostly in high schools and community colleges in Illinois and Wisconsin.

She earned master’s degrees in physics and computer science after starting her teaching career.

She also participated in the Bible study group at St. Linus Parish for five years.

Divine Word Father John Fincutter, 96, died Nov. 27. He was the only Divine Word missionary to serve three consecutive terms as rector of the Techny community.

As rector, Father Fincutter oversaw the construction of the Divine Word Residence.

Born in Libertyville, Father Fincutter began his studies with the Divine Word Missionaries in 1938, professed vows in 1943 and was ordained to the priesthood at Techny in 1950.

Recognizing his academic abilities, his superiors sent him to England for his first assignment. While in Great Britain, he served as headmaster at St. Richard’s College in Hadzor. He also served two terms as provincial of the British Province.

After two decades in Great Britain, Father Fincutter returned to the United States. He was elected rector of the Techny Community in 1973 and held that position until 1982. In addition to overseeing the building of the present residence building, he championed the creation of a landfill that produced significant revenue that was used in the Chicago Province and in the foreign missions.

Father Fincutter later taught Scripture at the minor seminary in East Troy, Wisconsin. He also served as rector of the Divine Word community in East Troy. In semi-retirement, he acted as business manager for the Divine Word community at East Troy, taught Scripture to adults in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and authored the Arnold Janssen Scripture Study Course.

Father Fincutter moved to Techny in 2013. He is survived by his brother, Robert.

Sister of the Living Word Virginia Thoen-nes, 89, died Dec. 8 in Chicago.

Born in Chicago, Sister Virginia was a Sister of the Living Word for 44 years, and a Sister of Christian Charity before that. She taught in the Chicago area and was principal of St. Gregory High School from 1976 to 1981.

She served in leadership for her community, and later as pastoral associate at various parishes in the northern suburbs. She was very involved in Church Women United and other justice works at St. Edna Parish in Arlington Heights. She lived the past eight years at Resurrection Life Center in Chicago.

She is survived by her siblings Martha Kastens and Richard Thoennes.

BVM Sister Mary Christine (Christophil) Athans, 87, died Dec. 7 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Sister Mary Christine was born in Joliet, Illinois, and entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1955. She made final vows in 1963.

She was an adjunct professor at Loyola University Institute of Pastoral Studies and Catholic Theological Union, both in Chicago. She was assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Illinois in Champaign. She also taught at universities in Minnesota and California. She began her ministry by teaching high school and elementary school, including St. Eugene School.

Sister Mary Christine wrote extensively on Jewish-Christian relations, including her book “In Quest of the Jewish Mary: The Mother of Jesus in History, Theology and Spirituality.”

She served on more than 20 boards and committees, including the Chicago-Jewish Scholars Dialogue sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Chicago Board of Rabbis and the United Jewish Federation of Greater Chicago.

She is survived by siblings Catherine Athans and Cyril Athans.

Father George H. Clements, 87, died Nov. 25. He was pastor emeritus of Holy Angels Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, becoming its first African American graduate, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1957.

After ordination, Father Clements was assistant pastor of St. Ambrose and St. Dorothy parishes. He served as pastor of Holy Angels from 1969 to 1991 and later ministered in the Diocese of Nassau in the Bahamas, West Indies, and the Archdiocese of Washington. He retired in 2006.

Father Clements was active in the civil rights movement, marching with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago, Alabama and Mississippi.

Father Clements, an advocate for adoption, is survived by his four sons, 15 grandchildren and his sister.

He requested that his body be donated to the Loyola University School of Medicine. A memorial service is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2020, Clements’ 88th birthday, at St. Sabina Church.

Sister of the Living Word Rosaria (Margaret Anna) Schlechter, 89, died Nov. 13 in Chicago.

Born in Minnesota, she made her final vows in 1954. She was a Sister of the Living Word for 44 years, and before that, a Sister of Christian Charity.

Sister Rosaria taught at St. Martha, Morton Grove, for nine years; was a teacher of the blind at Holy Trinity School; and served for 22 years at St. Raphael School in Englewood, where she also was the principal. She also served in Minnesota.

She lived her last few years at the Living Word Center in Arlington Heights and at Resurrection Life Center in Chicago in the ministry of prayer and presence.

Adrian Dominican Sister Lila Watt, 90, died Nov. 21 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Elmhurst, Illinois, she graduated from Josephinum High School. She was in the 68th year of her religious life.

Sister Lila ministered in Michigan, Florida, the Bahamas and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1966-1968); St. Kilian (1968-1969); Aquinas High School (1969-1972); Immaculata High School (1972-1973); St. Casimir High School (1976-1979); St. Procopius (1981-1983); and St. Barbara (Throop Street) (1983-1987). She was assistant director at Metropolitan School of Business (1973-1976), parish secretary at St. Rita of Cascia (1988-1989), secretary for the Catholic Youth Office (1989-1990); and executive secretary for the St. Joseph Carondelet Child Center (1990-1991) and the Midwest and Upper Midwest Mission Chapters, Hometown (1991-1995).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Susan Ostrowski, 65, died Nov. 15 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Susan made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1979 and her perpetual profession in 1984.

She taught for 35 years in New York, Florida, Illinois and California. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Epiphany (1989-1993).

She is survived by a sister, Sharon Ostrowski; and three brothers, Bruce, Michael and Mark Ostrowski.

Deacon Thomas Ryan, 94, died Oct. 31. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Christina Parish.

Deacon Ryan was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran, worked for 32 years for People’s Gas, was a former secretary of the 19th Ward Democratic Organization and was a past Man of the Year of the Mount Greenwood Civic Association.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Connie; his children Constance Ryan, Thomas E. Ryan, JoEllen Martin, Martin Ryan and Patrick Ryan; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Divine Word Father Andrew Biller, 87, a missionary in the Philippines for four decades, died Nov. 2 in Techny.

Born in Missouri, he entered Divine Word Seminary at East Troy, Wisconsin, in 1949. He professed religious vows in 1953. Following ordination to the priesthood in 1961, Father Biller was sent to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to take graduate courses in guidance and counseling. He then served at Divine Word colleges and seminaries and as a pastoral minister in the Philippines from 1963 to 2002.

After returning to the United States, he was semi-retired but provided pastoral care for the Vietnamese community of St. Thomas of Aquinas in St. Louis. Father Biller moved to Techny in 2012.

He is survived by four sisters: Ruth Athay, Mary Searcy, Alberta Cooper and Rita Ward.