Please Pray for the Peaceful

Repose of the Soul of

Sister Mary Patricius Maloney

(Oct. 31, 1919 - Jan. 22, 2013)

A teacher, principal, college department head and education consultant

Sister Mary Patricius Maloney, daughter of John and Mary (Murphy) Maloney, was born Oct. 31, 1919, on a farm near Greeley, NE. Her baptismal name was Eileen. She was one of 16 children - two of whom died in infancy.

Eileen first met the Sisters of Mercy when she entered ninth grade at Mt. St. Joseph Academy in O'Connor, NE. When the sisters left O'Connor her sophomore year, she attended Greeley High School. However, her junior year, the sisters invited her to Mt. Loretto High School in Council Bluffs, IA. She went without hesitation and graduated in 1937. That fall, she entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1943.

Selecting education as her ministry, Sister Patricius completed a bachelor's degree in English, which she said "took (her) forever" from College of Saint Mary in 1960. She went on to earn a master's in English history from Creighton University (1964), all while teaching practically every elementary grade except kindergarten. She taught in Mercy schools in Omaha and Lincoln; Denver, CO; and Devils Lake, ND. Sister Patricuis was quickly named principal of several of these schools and, in 1960, she opened Saint Thomas More in Omaha, where it was rumored that she was a principal to be reckoned with - despite her small frame.

A teacher, pastoral minister and a Sister of Mercy for 70 Years!

Born in 1924 to parents Henry and Ida (Funfsinn) Pitstick in Peterstown, IL, Sister Rita was the eighth of 16 children. Her parents were hard-working successful farmers. She attended a one-room country schoolhouse from first through fifth grades. When she was in the sixth grade, she transferred to St. Columba School in Ottawa, IL, where she was taught by the Sisters of Mercy who inspired her to become a sister.

After attending Marquette High School in Ottawa for two years, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1942. There she completed her high school education. She then went on to earn a bachelor's in education from Saint Xavier College.  She became an elementary school teacher and taught in various Catholic schools in Illinois and Wisconsin for 25 years, where many knew her as Sister Mary Lelia. 

Influenced by the Second Vatican Council, Sister Rita felt a strong desire to become more involved with religious education and pastoral ministry. She earned a master's degree in theology from St. Xavier in 1971 and a CPE in pastoral care from Alexian Brothers Hospital in 1979. For almost 20 years, she served several Chicago parishes in this role.

Please Pray for the Peaceful

Repose of the Soul of

Sister Mary Jo DeMarco

(3/8/1917 - 1/22/2013)

A Sister of Mercy for 79 Years!

Born in 1917 to parents Ralph and Rose (Mazzereze) DeMarco, both immigrants from Italy, Sister Mary Jo (Josephine) DeMarco grew up with her five siblings in Omaha, NE. At the age of 17, she left Omaha for the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in Chicago. She spoke often of her family and of their Italian traditions. She especially reminisced of how they would gather every Sunday because among the DeMarco family there was always some kind of entertainment.

Mary Jo entered the Community on Sept. 8, 1934. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1940. Her motto: "To Jesus through Mary" was the strong conviction that always guided her Mercy life.

Please Pray for the Peaceful 

Repose of the Soul of 

Sister Mary Bernita Ligney

(4/11/1923 - 2/17/2013)

A Sister of Mercy, Teacher and Parish Volunteer

Sister Mary Bernita Ligney, RSM, died peacefully February 17, 2013, at McAuley Center, Farmington Hills, MI.

She was born to Alfred and Delia (Proulx) Ligney on April 11, 1923, and baptized Doris at Notre' Dame de la Visitation Church in Bay City. She was an only child until her sister, Donna, arrived 11 years later. Doris loved her new family member and she helped her mother with caring for her. On Sept. 7, 1942, Doris left home to join the Sisters of Mercy in Detroit. After a period of personal and professional preparation, she made final vows on Aug. 16, 1948.

Sister Mary Bernita spent 56 of her 70 years as a Sister of Mercy teaching primary grades, including in the parish in which she was baptized. She was well-prepared by earning a bachelor's degree from Mercy College of Detroit and a master's degree from Notre Dame University, as well as by attending many workshops and conferences. Hundreds of children in Parnell, Big Rapids, Grand Haven, Berkley, Manistee, Hazel Park, Auburn, Midland, Pinconning and Bay City, MI, as well as in Epworth, IA, learned to read and write under her caring direction. Her ability to gain and maintain their interest in learning was remarkable, and she enjoyed her days in the classroom. 

Please Pray for the Peaceful

Repose of the Soul of  

Sister Pauline Fox

(12-14-1929 ~ 3-21-2013)

Educator, Archivist, Volunteer and Sister of Mercy for 64 years

Sister Pauline was born in New Haven, IA, on Dec. 14, 1929. She was the third of seven children of Ralph and Catherine (Egan) Fox. The family lived on two farms near the town of Orchard, IA - one of which they lived on for nearly 40 years.

Pauline attended Orchard Consolidated School, a small school with no more than 10 children per grade. She was always thankful that the small school provided some privileges such as the opportunity to perform in the senior play as a freshman or to be in the school band. "The musical experience was one of my most delightful of my teen years," wrote Sister Pauline in an autobiography. Pauline graduated in 1947 and, like most girls her age growing up in Mitchell County, she got a job. She worked at the local telephone office for two years before entering the Sisters of Mercy Community.

Sister Pauline was one of nine in her Sisters of Mercy band who attended the novitiate in Marion, IA. Of her novitiate experience, Sister Pauline once wrote, "It [the novitiate] proved to be an ideal spot for spiritual growth. I have always thought of that place as a blessing." Sister Elizabeth Derga, one of Sister Pauline's band members, recalls, "We had a lot of fun in the novitiate and throughout our years in the Community."

Please Pray for the Peaceful

Repose of the Soul of

Mary Catherine Daly, RSM

09/13/1936 - 3/28/2013

Teacher, Principal, Administrative Team Member, Advocate for the Homeless

Sister Mary Catherine Daly was born on Sept. 13, 1936 to John and Mary Daly and grew up on the south side of Chicago, IL. She attended Little Flower Elementary and graduated from Mercy High School in 1953. In September, following graduation, she entered the Sisters of Mercy. She earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Xavier University (Chicago), a master's from the University of Illinois (Champaign/Urbana) and a certificate in religious education from Divine Word Centre London, Ontario, Canada.

Fellow 60-Year Jubilarian Sister Nancy Cahill said, "I knew Mary Catherine at Mercy High School in senior year when we decided to enter the Sisters of Mercy. Sixty years later, she still retained her keen sense of humor."

Sister Mary Catherine ministered as a teacher and principal in Illinois and Wisconsin Catholic schools for 23 years. From 1958 to 1964, she was a junior high teacher at Resurrection; from 1964 to 1965, a teacher and assistant principal at St. Ethelreda; and from 1965 to 1967, a principal at St. Eugene, Fox Point, WI. After a year as a student at Divine Word Centre London, Ontario Canada, she served a year as co-director of formation for the Chicago Province. She returned to teaching, spending a year at St. Frances Cabrini School and then seven years at Resurrection School both in Chicago. Five of her years at Resurrection, she was curriculum coordinator and two years she served as principal. From 1976 to 1979, she was a member of the Chicago Province Team. Next, she served as administrative assistant from 1979 to 1988 at The Villa in St. Charles. Six of those year she also was principal at St. Joseph, Aurora, IL.

Please pray for the Peaceful

Repose of  the Soul of

 Sister Mary Geraldine McDonnell, RSM  

3/20/1920 to 3/28/2013 

Born in San Francisco, the oldest of the four children of Michael McDonnell and Elizabeth Moran McDonnell, Mary Margaret was a first generation San Franciscan.  She grew up in the Richmond District, attending Star of the Sea Grammar   School and High School. She had fond memories of San Francisco in the 1930s and 40s, especially playing in Golden Gate Park and walking to the beach. In fact, she walked or took the street car everywhere in the city, since the family had no car. After graduating from high school in 1938, Peg, as she was called, enrolled in St. Mary’s College of Nursing, graduating in 1941. She continued as a nurse at St. Mary’s HospitalospitalHoH for the next 12 years, first in pediatrics, then surgery, becoming head surgical nurse. The World War II years were both stressful and exciting times in the hospital, and Peg got to know the Sisters of Mercy very well, as she ministered with them through these years.

In 1953, Peg entered the Sisters of Mercy, and taking the religious name Sister Mary Geraldine, professed vows in 1956.

“No one ever knew the many times she helped people who had a problem,” said Sister Mary Joanne DeVincenti, who was a young Sister of Mercy at St. Mary’s Hospital when Geraldine was head surgical nurse there.  “She outdid herself in making sure a problem went away, using legal or illegal means!”

Please Pray for the Peaceful

Repose of the Soul of

Sister Lupe Stump 

(4.20.1927 ~ 4.20.2013)

A Sister of Mercy for 29 Years!  

Sister Lupe Stump, RSM, 86, was a teacher, a psychiatric social worker, and an advocate for the immigrant and the poor. Before she became a Sister of Mercy, she was a wife and a mother.

Lupe was one of 13 children born in Kewanee, IL, to Leandra and Modesta Dominguez. She was a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a bachelor's degree in social science (1949). She completed post-graduate studies at Ball State earning a master's of social work (1954) and then another master's in theology from Mundelien University (1986).

Please Pray for the Peaceful

Repose of the Soul of

Mary Venarda Lance, RSM

7/1/1921 to 4/19/2013

Nurse, Hospital Administrator, Chaplain, Beloved Sister of Mercy!

Sister Mary Venarda was the second daughter born to Ormie and Josephine (nee Parent) Lance in Minneapolis, MN, on July 1, 1921. At her baptism, she was named Mary Jean. Mary Jean and her older sister, Josephine, were soon joined by Betty Anne and Yvonne.

Mary Jean attended Annunciation elementary school and the Academy of Holy Angels in Minneapolis, MN. During those years, she knew she wanted to be a nurse and also had a leaning toward religious life. Since she was a frequent reader of the Sacred Heart Magazine, she found out about several religious orders. The only one who had hospitals was the Sisters of Mercy, and they had some connection with Florence Nightingale.

She went ahead with her intentions and entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in Des Plaines, IL, on Sept. 8, 1938. She knew no one, but soon felt at home in the Novitiate because the group of women who came with her became good friends. She was received on March 12, 1939, and given the name of Sister Mary Venarda. Having completed the Novitiate, she professed temporary vows on March 12, 1941.

Please Pray for
the Peaceful Repose of the Soul of

Sister Mary Raymunda Crownhart, RSM

(9.5.13 ~ 5.31.13)

Sister of Mercy, Nurse, Administrator, Pastoral Associate

Sister Mary Raymunda Crownhart died peacefully on May 31, 2013 at McAuley Center, Farmington Hills. She was 99 and had been a Sister of Mercy for 73 years. 

Ruth Crownhart was born to her parents, Raymond and Elizabeth (Farrell) Crownhart on Sept. 5, 1913 in Elmwood, WI. After completing high school she earned a diploma in nursing and a bachelor's degree in sociology and biology at St. Catherine College, St. Paul, MN. Thus prepared, she became an instructor of nursing with the Sisters of Mercy, St. Margaret Hospital, Hammond, IN. When she felt she had a vocation to become a Sister of Mercy, she joined the community in Dubuque, IA, where her aunt, Sister Mary Petronilla Farrell, was already a member.

On Sept. 8, 1939, Ruth entered the novitiate and received the name, Sister Mary Raymunda. Her novitiate days were completed in Detroit when the Mercy motherhouse was moved to 82000 West Outer Drive. After completing her preparation for religious life, she made perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1945.

 Sister Mary Ellene Egan, RSM

Sister Mary Ellene Egan, RSM, died in Burlingame, CA, on June 15, 2013, at the age of 66. Born in San Francisco, Ellene Marie was the younger of the two children of James Egan, a San Francisco policeman, and Thelma Hennig Egan. She attended St. Cecilia Elementary School and Mercy High School, graduating in 1964. Ellene entered the Sisters of Mercy that same year, taking the name Sister Mary Ellene and professing her vows in 1967. She continued her education earning a B.A. from Russell College in 1969, then a B.S. from USF in 1971.

That same year Ellene began her nursing ministry at Mercy Hospital, San Diego, as a nursing supervisor. In 1977 she began studies for a Master's Degree in nursing at Loma Linda University, earning her degree in 1979; in the fall of that year she began 33 years of ministry on the faculty of the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions. Teaching and mentoring student nurses was a ministry she threw herself into with energy and great dedication.

Please Pray for the
Peaceful  Repose of the Soul of

Sister Margaret Lyons, RSM

10/26/1926 ~ 7/26/2013

A Sister of Mercy for 69 Years: Teacher, Principal, Child Welfare Worker

On July 26, 2013, Sister Margaret Lyons, beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy for 69 years, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Smith Village, Chicago, IL. Sister Helen Weinfurter, RSM, her dear friend for many decades, was at her side.

Sister Margaret grew upon the west side of Chicago. Her parents, Mary and Roger Lyons, and her siblings: Mary Flynn, Monsignor Eugene Lyons, Alice Burris and Roger Lyons, preceded her in death. She is survived by 12 wonderful nieces and nephews - great aunt of many and their children.

From 1947 until 1966, Sister Margaret served in many schools prior to her 26-year tenure at St. James School, Chicago. She was a dynamic leader in the Mercy Community during the post-Vatican years of dialogue and change.  

Please Pray for the
Peaceful Repose of the Soul of

Sister Patricia Costello, RSM

3/09/1930 ~ 8/03/2013

Teacher, Volunteer, Valued Community Member for 65 Years!  

Please pray for the repose of Sister Patricia Costello who died on Aug. 3, 2013, at Mercy Convent in Chicago, IL.

 Sister Patricia was born in Park Ridge, lL, on March 9, 1930. She was the youngest of a  blended family of six. She attended St. Paul of the Cross Elementary School in Park Ridge, lL, and spent her high school days at St. Patrick Academy, Des Plaines. Both schools were staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8,1948. 

 In 1953, 12 years after Sister Pat's mother was widowed a second time, her mother entered the Franciscan Community at Rice Lake, WI, and became Sister Juliana. The Rice Lake Franciscans later merged with Immaculata Convent in Bartlett, IL. Sister Pat was always close to and proud of her mother, but that bond deepened when they shared life as Religious Women.

Please Pray for the
Peaceful Repose of the Soul of

Sister Shamus Dowd, RSM

2/10/1927~ 8/03/2013

Teacher, Personnel Director, Volunteer, Sister of Mercy for 64 Years!

Please pray for the repose of Sister Shamus Dowd who died on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, IL.

Born on Feb. 10, 1927 to James W. and Rosella (Richards) Dowd, Sister Shamus attended Janesville High School in Janesville, WI. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1949 at the age of 22 and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1955. Next month, she would have celebrated 64 years as a Sisters of Mercy.

Please Pray for
the Peaceful Repose of the Soul of

Sister Margaret Mary Moloney

(9/23/1920 ~ 8/27/2013)

A nurse, teacher, author, spiritual director - and a Sister of Mercy for 75 years!

Sister Margaret Mary was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Chicago, IL, to parents Patrick Joseph and Margaret (McElligott) Moloney. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1938. She earned her bachelor's in nursing from Saint Xavier, a master's in nursing from Catholic University of America, her PhD in administration of higher education from Catholic University, and a doctor of ministry in theology from Graduate Theological Foundation, Donaldson, IN.

For almost 20 years, she served as the director of the school of nursing in Mercy hospitals in Chicago; Janesville, WS; Marshalltown and Iowa City, IA. In the late 60s, she served as assistant dean at Boston (MA) College; dean at Loyola (Chicago) School of Nursing (1970-1975); assistant dean at Indiana University School of Nursing (1975-1977); and visiting professor at Rush University School of Nursing in Chicago (1977-1980). She then served as dean of the school of nursing at Wright State in Dayton, OH (1980-1985). In 1985, she left teaching to author five books, with her most notable being Leadership in Nursing: Theory, Strategies, Behavior that was publicly recognized as the 1979 Book of the Year by the American Journal of Nursing. Beginning in 2000, she served as spiritual director at Holy Trinity Spirituality Center in Naperville, IL, until officially retiring in 2010.

Please Pray for the
Peaceful Repose of the Soul of

Sister Mary Agneta Bush, RSM

               Sister of Mercy, multi-talented artist and musician

Sister Mary Agneta Bush, RSM, died at McAuley Life Center on Saturday, September 14, 2013. She was 86 years of age and had been a Sister of Mercy for 67 years. She was born to Henry and Dora (Biskner) Bush on May 21, 1927, in Pinconning, Michigan, the fourth of five children. She was baptized Hilda Marie but was called "Tootsie" by all who knew her. She attended St. Michael's School, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and graduated as class valedictorian in 1945.

She enrolled at Mercy College in Detroit that fall intending to become a nurse. As the year went on, however, she was more attracted to becoming a Sister of Mercy whose novitiate was on the same property as Mercy College. Thus in September 1946 she again came to Detroit, this time to join the religious community and become known as Sister Mary Agneta. Six years later, on August 16, 1952, she pronounced perpetual vows at the Mercy Provincialate, 8200 West Outer Drive, Detroit.

Please Pray for the
Peaceful Repose of the Soul of

Sister Rita (Mary Modesta) Fantin, RSM

in Burlingame on September 11, 2013, at the age of 89.

Born in Taylorville, IL, the sixth of the seven children of Italian immigrants Modesto and Mary Rosetto Fantin, Sister Rita's family moved to the Bay Area when she was six and settled in San Mateo. The heritage of a close-knit Italian community was very important to her throughout her life. Rita graduated from St. Matthew's Catholic School, and went on to Mercy High School, Burlingame, graduating in 1941. She entered the Sisters of Mercy that same year and professed vows as Sister Mary Modesta in 1944, named after her father.

Rita taught elementary school for the next nine years at St. Peter's and St. Gabriel's Schools in San Francisco, Our Lady of Angels and St. Catherine's Schools in Burlingame, and St. Charles School, San Diego. In 1953 Rita moved to high school, teaching at Mercy High School, San Francisco, and Mercy High School, Burlingame. Sister Judy Cannon, then a student, remembers that in addition to Latin and religion, Rita was assigned to teach knitting at Mercy San Francisco as a part of a Christian living course. "We didn't guess that Rita didn't know how to knit," said Judy. "Every night another sister who did knit prepared her for the class. We had no idea she was winging it!"

Please Pray for the
Peaceful Repose of the Soul of

Sister Mary Jo Kenny

(9-11-1934 ~ 9-16-2013)

A Sister of Mercy for 61 years: teacher, liturgical minister, nursing unit secretary, and volunteer!

Sister Mary Jo Kenny, whose baptismal name was Josephine, was born in Chicago on Sept. 11, 1934. Welcomed by her parents, Thomas and Nell (O'Brien), as well as older brother Tom, Jr., Mary Jo began her spiritual and physical life in typical "South Side Irish Fashion," since her dad had been born in Ireland.

She graduated from St. Clotilde Grade School (1948), Mercy High School (1952), and Saint Xavier College (1970), all of which were staffed by Sisters of Mercy. Throughout her  years in ministry as a Sister of Mercy, the seeds of faith, hope, love and service planted in her early Mercy education and nurtured in her formative years were practiced until her death - always influencing her life choices.

She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1952. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1958. Education was her selected ministry. She served as a teacher for 37 years. She began teaching primary grades under the name of Sister Mary Thaddeus, the name given her on Reception Day (March 12, 1953). She taught first at three consecutive schools all named in honor of St. Patrick: St. Patrick's Chicago (1958-61), St. Patrick's in Janesville, WI (1961-64), and St. Patrick's in McHenry, IL (1964-69). Before beginning her 20-year teaching ministry at Annunciation School in Aurora, IL, she taught in Chicago at Precious Blood School (1969-71) and St. Joachim School (1971-74). While teaching in Aurora, she expanded her ministry to include working as a unit secretary at Mercy Center.

Failing health caused Sister Mary Jo to make the decision in April 2002 to undergo a liver/kidney transplant. It was successful and she was able to continue living independently at Fox Knoll Retirement Center. She was also able to continue her volunteer ministries that included: gift shop volunteer, liturgical minister at both Fox Knoll and McAuley Convent, and companion/driver/friend to the sisters and residents.

During this period, she was also active in the Mercy Associate program acting as a mentor/sponsor. In 2002, because of her transplant surgery, she was not able to attend the Community Jubilee Celebration with her band to celebrate her 50th anniversary. From that time on, she focused on being able to celebrate her 60th Jubilee with the Community - and celebrate, she did! She celebrated with gratitude, joy, spirit, and laughter every event connected with that milestone for Mary Jo fully realized and greatly appreciated the gift that those 10 years represented.

In late August 2013, with her health slowly failing, she moved to McAuley Convent, a decision she frequently described as "a really smart move." Of the short time she lived there, her words tell it all, "It's great here! I know I did the right thing."

Sister Mary Jo will be remembered for her love of God, Community, family, life, service, witness to Gospel/Mercy values, and lasting, loyal friendships.

Monica Jennings, administrator at McAuley Convent and friend of Sister Mary Jo, describes her as the kind of person who "when she entered a room, the whole room lit up." Pat Svec, a former band member, writes, "She was always tops in the kind and loving department." A former student described her as "a very, special teacher who made learning fun and memorable." Nieces and nephews echo and re-echo, "She was always there for us; she told us stories, made us laugh, dried our tears. We know how much she loved us and we loved her." Sister Pat Murphy, a friend since fourth grade says, "Being her friend all these years has taught me to appreciate the value of life lived in faith, hope, love, and seeing the good in all God's creation."

Sister Mary Jo died peacefully at Presence Mercy Center on Sept. 16 in the company of sisters and a close friend in Mercy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Nell; brother, Thomas, Jr.; sister-in-law, Veronica (Ronnie), and nephew, Michael. She is survived by eight wonderful nieces and nephews and their families.

For 11 years since her transplant, Mary Jo had fought many odds to continue her life in Mercy. This time, she knew her "fighting" days were ending and she was prepared to surrender into the loving care of her Creator. Her life in Mercy had come full circle. A review and celebration of Sister Mary Jo's life truly illustrated the refrain of the song "Circle of Mercy" written by Jeannette Goglia, RSM: "For the Circle of Mercy is timeless; It is the Spirit of Life itself."

Funeral services for Sister Mary Jo included a prayer service and wake on Thursday, Sept. 19, and a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Sept. 20, both of which were heldat McAuley Convent in Aurora. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Aurora. Daleiden Mortuary in Aurora handled arrangements. To access her obituary and sign her guestbook, click here.