Obituaries

Sister Mary Kardelis, BVM (Aquina)

Sister Mary Kardelis, BVM, 87, died Aug. 28, 2010, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy is at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque.

As a BVM, Sister Mary was an educator in Chicago, Ill., teaching full-time from 1972–94 and part-time from 1994 through 2000.

She was born March 21, 1923, to Anthony and Lucy Pulkis Kardelis. In 1941, Mary entered the Sisters of St. Casimir. On May 26, 1973, she entered the Sisters of Charity, BVM, from Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Chicago, and transferred her religious vows at the same time.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Anthony; and a sister, Ruth. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Barbara Kardelis, Hickory Hills, Ill.; nieces and nephew; and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 37 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Sister Mary Kardelis, BVM (Aquina)
Funeral Reflections by Mary Wojnicki, BVM
Marian Hall Chapel, Sept.1, 2010

Good afternoon, and welcome to our celebration of the new life of our sister, Mary Kardelis. A special welcome to all of Mary's family members, friends, and BVM sisters, as well as sisters and staff who have joined us on video streaming and on Channel 6 as we celebrate this "final earthly liturgy" for Sister Mary Kardelis, BVM.

Mary was born in 1923 to Lithuanian parents, Anthony and Lucille Pulkis Kardelis. Much of her early life was spent at the public library reading children's books.

In her early adult life, Mary joined a Polish congregation, the Sisters of St. Casimir, in 1941. As Jesus states in today's gospel, "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes." During Vatican II Mary felt the Spirit's winds of change and states in her autobiography, "This is why I became a BVM sister." She became a BVM on May 26, 1973.

I will now reflect on my "connections" with my dear friend Mary Kardelis. The stoplights on Sheridan and Kenmore Streets, across from Mundelein College, were not working on an August day in 1973. Mary and I were on opposite sides of the lanes of traffic. I shoutedfor Mary to wait on her side of the street, which she "obediently" did!

We both went to Wright Hall for a long cup of tea and shared stories. Mary told me of her recent transfer from the Sisters of St. Casimir to the Sisters of Charity, BVM. We shared a hearty "welcome hug" and that was the beginning of our long friendship!

During our conversation over several cups of tea at Wright Hall, we discussed our areas of teaching expertise. I hired Mary "on the spot" when she informed me of her abilities as a special education teacher. Mary taught the 5th grade at St. Gertrude for two memorable years.

Mary was always the "quiet woman." She contributed so many teaching suggestions at our faculty meetings, which sparked the faculty to participate in various discussions. Mary initiated important learning changes for the students. She was revered by her students, the parents and faculty, and especially by me. Mary assisted in the proper learning needs of the students and built a tremendous self-image in each of them.

Upon completion of necessary special education coursework at Northeastern University, Mary returned to the inner-city Chicago Public School System, where she again excelled in teaching at Hamilton School.

After teaching at Hamilton School, Mary retired to Wright Hall, and in 2000, she joined us here at Marian Hall.

It was a great honor for me to spend the evening of Friday, Aug. 27, with Mary. At first she squeezed my hand when I told her my name, and I quietly sang every Polish hymn that I knew—a repertoire that lasted until 12:30 a.m., when I found myself nodding on the bedside security bars! However, Mary did go to her eternal rest in a peaceful manner on Saturday, Aug. 28, at 9:05 a.m.

The Marian Hall nurses and aides on the 3rd floor were so gentle and respectful in preparing for Mary's final moments and transition. As Mary's good friend, I am going to miss our bedside chats, but the memories of her gentle presence will forever remain to be shared by all of us!

I now close my reflections for Mary with one final Polish hymn: "Lulaj ze Jezuniu."

Lulaj, ze Jezuniu, moja pere'ko
Lulaj ulubione me Pieczde'ko.
Lulaj ze Jezuniu, Lulaj ze lulaj!
A Ty go Matulu, w placzu utulaj.

Thank you, Mary.

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Ange T. Cadigan, BVM (Julia Patrice)

Sister Ange T. Cadigan, BVM, 92, died Aug. 7, 2010, at Caritas Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will follow at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque.

Sister Ange was a teacher and superior/principal in Cresco, Iowa; Chicago, Ill.; Butte, Mont.; Kauai, Hawaii; and Sacramento, Daly City and San Francisco, Calif.

She was born Nov. 16, 1917, to Patrick and Julia O’Sullivan Cadigan. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Philip Parish, San Francisco, Calif., on Sept. 8, 1936. She professed first vows on March 19, 1939, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1944.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Patrick, Gerald and Emmett; and sisters Patricia J. Harrison and Ann Brown. She is survived by a sister, M. Frances Vergano; nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 73 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Sister Ange T. Cadigan, BVM (Julia Patrice)
Funeral Reflections by Julie O’Neill, BVM
Marian Hall Chapel, August 11, 2010

Good afternoon and welcome to our celebration of the new life of our sister, Ange Cadigan. A special welcome also to the members of Ange’s set present for this liturgy, as well as sisters and staff who have joined us on Channel 6.

In our Mass of resurrection today, we will sing several hymns which Ange chose for this liturgy. One of them is We Remember. “We remember … we celebrate … we believe.” Indeed, we do remember Angelina Teresa Cadigan, born in San Francisco, Calif., on Nov. l6, 1917, the third of seven children (three boys and four girls) of Patrick and Julia O’Sullivan Cadigan. Her mother died when Ange was only six and two years later, this family of very young children welcomed Aunt Agnes, their mother’s sister, as their very loving and devoted stepmother.

Ange attended St. Therese Grade School with the Presentation Sisters and would have preferred attending their high school as well, but the reality of finances caused her father to choose St. Paul High School—a BVM school. In high school, Ange (in her own words) “thought a lot about becoming a sister. But I prayed against it. I asked my sister to pray with me against it. The thought came to me all the time. When push came to shove, I did enter the BVMs. At that time, Dad said to me, ‘I’ll write them a letter and tell them all about you. Your sister, the polite one, would make a better nun.’” Today, that sister, Frances, (the one who would have made the better nun) remains the only surviving sibling.

Ange entered Mount Carmel on Sept. 8, 1936, and received the name of Sister Mary Julia Patrice on reception day. Immediately after profession day, Ange received a most unique combination of assignments. She was a teacher at Holy Family in Chicago, Ill., for a few weeks, a teacher at St. Paul Elementary School in San Francisco for a few months, and a “traveling companion to Mother Gervase” in between. Therefore, she always considered St. Joseph in Butte, Mont., where she taught first grade, as her first assignment. After final vows in the summer of 1944, Ange went to Cresco, Iowa, for just one year before returning to Holy Family in Chicago for two more years. Then she was off to Hawaii for eight years.

When Ange returned to the mainland she taught at All Hallows in Sacramento, Calif., and then went back to Holy Family again, this time as principal and superior in 1959. After six years, her travels took her back to Butte (this time at St. Anne Elementary School) as principal and superior, until she returned to her beloved San Francisco in 1970. There, she taught remedial language arts in a variety of schools until her retirement from teaching in 1990. Her final five years on the West Coast were spent as an outreach volunteer at St. Paul Parish.

In 1995, Ange retired to Mount Carmel as a driver and companion. At that time, she wrote: “While we retired are not ‘out there’ on a mission or ministry, we are very much present in prayer among our former associates. It is a revelation and fun, too, to see how BVMs I knew eons ago have grown into older women of such serenity. As we exchange hilarious stories about our youthful convent escapades, this evolvement is nothing short of miraculous!

“We ride bicycles and go skiing (sort of) in our Wellness Center. We gather to exchange a bit of bombast as we ride our stationary bikes, Nu-Step apparatus or Nordic Trac—not exactly a Tour de France but rollicking self-help rides enroute to continuing wellness.”

Various health issues brought Ange to Marian Hall in 2005 and Caritas in 2008.

Yes, we remember our full-of-fun friend. One of her good friends described her as always full of the spirit of true joy. But lest we forget Ange’s more serious side, we have only to turn to the memorable words which she shared with those present at the 1994 BVM Assembly: “So much of me and my hopefulness at this time are bound closely to a Circle of Friends, many of whom are present. They are largely upbeat about our BVM mission and ministry as well as being loving and faith-filled companions to whom I am indebted and upon whom I have depended for support, understanding, love and forgiveness over the past 58 years.”

We remember, we celebrate, we believe … Psalm 27, from this morning’s wake service: “I shall rise above my struggles, my pain, shouting blessings of gratitude in God’s heart, and singing melodies of praise”… From our first reading this afternoon: “I know well the plans I have in mind for you—plans to give you a future full of hope” … And from today’s Gospel: “I am indeed going to prepare a place for you. I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be.”

We remember! We celebrate! We believe! And, finally, we rejoice!

In the words of the hymn which we just sang: “I have called you each by name. Ange, I will bring you home … come and rest in me!”

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Marina Kennelly, BVM

Sister Marina Kennelly, BVM, 90, died July 25, 2010, at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Ill. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010, at St. Gertrude's Church in Chicago. Funeral liturgy will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Queen of Heaven cemetery, Hillside, Ill.

Sister Marina was a teacher. She taught in Kansas City, Mo., and for many years at Mundelein College in Chicago.

She was born Nov. 12, 1919, to Patrick Joseph and Mary Maguire Kennelly. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Laurence Parish, Chicago, on Sept. 8, 1942. She professed first vows on March 19, 1945, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1950.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and a sister. She is survived by three nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 67 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Marina Kennelly, BVM
Funeral Reflections by Lois Dolphin, BVM
St. Gertrude Church, Chicago, Ill., July 30, 2010

Your presence here this morning to celebrate the life of our Sister Marina, and to thank God for her life of communion with God and of sharing her gifts with countless others, speaks volumes about who she was. The testimonial of Marina’s nephew, Joseph, gives us a glimpse of her family’s devotion to her and her devotion to them.

Marina, whose baptismal name was Rita, was the fourth child and second daughter born to Patrick Joseph Kennelly and Mary Maguire. Both of her parents were born in Ireland, her father in County Kerry and her mother in County Clare. Marina delighted in her Irish heritage and her family was active in the Irish festivities of Chicago’s South Side. In fact, her recent 90th birthday party had an Irish theme. Marina attended elementary school at Holy Cross, where she experienced her BVM teachers as “wonderful, very bright, very good.” When the family moved to a different parish, the new pastor came to call. Marina recalled that her mother said to him, “Before I let you in, I’m not going to remove my children.” When he found out that the Kennelly children were at Holy Cross, he said, “Well, I don’t blame you.”

Marina then attended Mercy High School, where she and her sister both had scholarships. She thought about entering religious life after high school (she doesn’t say which community), but was advised by a priest friend to go to college first. So she went to Mundelein and got a degree in chemistry. She also got a teaching certificate at Chicago Teachers’ College. She graduated from Mundelein in June 1942 and entered the BVMs in September 1942. At her reception in March 1943, she received the name Marina, the name of one of her favorite high school teachers. After profession in 1945, Marina spent two years at St. Aloysius in Kansas City, Mo. She returned to Mundelein in 1947 and spent more than 40 years teaching chemistry there. Marina received her master’s degree from Notre Dame University in 1950 and her Ph.D, also from Notre Dame, in 1959.

Marina enjoyed teaching young women. She was an excellent teacher, but she was also genuinely interested in the lives of her students and many have kept in touch with her over the years. Marina was quoted in a Salt magazine article (a BVM publication) in 1991: “It has been a real blessing and privilege to serve at Mundelein for 43 years and to be part of the ministry of Mundelein that has influenced the lives of so many women to serve God more fully in their families, their church and their country.”

BVMs who experienced Marina as a teacher shared some remembrances with me. Joellen McCarthy said: “I deeply enjoyed studying and teaching chemistry because I found this experience to be an exposure to an elegant, beautiful body of knowledge. Having Marina for several courses at Mundelein only deepened this sense by the way in which she taught the material and was present to us in the classroom. She embodied the elegance and beauty of the subject.” Mary Lou Caffery remembered Marina as “a beautiful and prayerful woman who had an aura of peace whenever I saw her—a peace-filled spirit. She was a wonderful teacher and as the years went by I realized that she was teaching virtually ALL chemistry courses in the major curriculum.” Kathleen Antol remembered Marina’s explanations as “clear as a bell. They seemed to enable me to ‘intuit’ the material.”

In the late 1960s the changes in religious life and in our own community as a result of Vatican II, and the uncertainty of the future, prompted Marina to say that she thought only contemplative communities would last. So she went to a Carmelite monastery in Michigan in July 1969. It didn’t take long for her to realize that this was not what she was seeking. She said, “The way that it was going, I can’t explain it, but there was no freedom at all.” She returned to the BVM community and Mundelein in September 1969.

Soon after returning to Mundelein, Marina found what she was looking for in the Charismatic Renewal Movement. She quickly became a leader in the movement both locally and nationally. Both Time and Newsweek magazines recognized Marina as one of the leaders of Charismatic Renewal in this country. She was one of the founders of the Loyola-Mundelein prayer group which attracted hundreds of people to weekly prayer sessions. A prayer group continues to this day, meeting weekly at Wright Hall. Marina said that the Charismatic Renewal changed her life.

In a 1977 article in Salt, Marina grounded the Charismatic Renewal in Scripture and the documents of Vatican II. She was a gentle charismatic—positive, prayerful and person-oriented. She was generous in using her charisms, or gifts of the Holy Spirit, in the service of others. Even while she was still teaching, she was also active in giving retreats, conducting days of renewal and in leading pilgrimages to Medjugorje. She was sought out by many for her prayer, her healing and her counseling. These meetings were often in the sacristy of the Mundelein chapel where she served as sacristan for many years. I heard so many examples of her compassion: providing an evening meal for Pat, who cleaned the Mundelein chapel; buying bread at the Miserecordia bakery for Wright Hall sisters and others; praying with sisters and others who were facing surgery or in need of healing. She was present to the community, greeting each sister with a smile and a sincere interest in her well-being and her family. BVM Jean Hayen commented, “I remember her as always recognizing you by name whenever and wherever she saw you.” She volunteered at the Marian Center for years and assisted with Marian conferences. She really became the spiritual backbone of the conferences.

Marina found “no freedom at all” in the Carmelite monastery. Our Constitutions define our mission as “being freed and helping others enjoy freedom in God’s steadfast love.” I think Marina understood and lived that.

When I think of Marina, I think of Mary, to whom she had great devotion, and Mary Frances Clarke—all were strong, holy women, quietly doing God’s will as they understood it.

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Carmel M. Purcell, BVM (John Carmelle)

Sister Carmel M. Purcell, BVM, 78, died July 20, 2010, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2010, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque.

Sister Carmel was a teacher and administrator. She taught and/or was principal in Dubuque, Davenport, Cedar Rapids and New Hampton, Iowa; Rock Island and Wilmington, Ill.; Burbank and Los Angeles, Calif.; and Albuquerque and Santa Fe, N.M.

She was born May 4, 1932, to John Edward and Carmel Salutz Purcell. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Boniface Parish, Clinton, Iowa, on Sept. 8, 1950. She professed first vows on March 19, 1953, and final vows on July 16, 1958.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Kathryn Purcell. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 59 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Sister Carmel Mary Purcell, BVM (John Carmelle)
Funeral Reflections by Kathleen Morrissey, BVM
Read by Mary M. O’Connor, BVM
Marian Hall Chapel, July 23, 2010

Sometime before Kathleen Morrissey was diagnosed with her own illness, Carmel Purcell was very ill and not expected to live. Kathleen asked if she could write the reflection because she had lived with Carmel in Cedar Rapids when Kathleen was principal at St. Patrick in Cedar Rapids and Carmel was principal at St. Jude—but they both lived at St. Patrick. Carmel recovered from her earlier illness but Kathleen died in late April of this year. It is my privilege to read this reflection today.

Carmel Mary Purcell was born in Clinton, Iowa, on May 4, 1932, the younger daughter of John Edward Purcell and Carmel Gertrude Salutz Purcell. John Purcell was a prominent attorney who later became a judge. Carmel G. Purcell was a gifted nurse, who was extremely good to the BVM sisters in Clinton, Iowa. Carmel’s parents deeply loved and were proud of their two daughters. John, at the end of the day, allowed Kathryn and Carmel to visit him in his empty courtroom. Carmel entertained her dad by dancing and frolicking around the courthouse.

Carmel received the first 12 years of her education from the BVM sisters at Our Lady of Angels Academy in Clinton. During Carmel’s senior year at the academy, she was accepted into the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, entering on Sept. 8, 1950, the Holy Year. Carmel expressed her desire to become a BVM sister with the following words: “I want to become a sister to save my own soul and the souls of others, also to teach and instruct children.”

Carmel celebrated 58 years as a BVM on Sept. 8, 2008. She was a faithful BVM sister, responding positively and enthusiastically for over 45 years to every place she was called to teach and administrate. For 23 of those years, Carmel taught all of the elementary school grade levels in Illinois, California and Iowa. She began her ministry in 1975 as principal at St. Jude School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Four years later she went to St. Paul in Davenport, Iowa, where she served as teacher and vice-principal. In 1983, Carmel began her 15-year ministry in New Mexico. She served as principal at Cristo Rey Elementary School in Santa Fe, and later became principal in Albuquerque. After serving as principal for 22 years, Carmel retired and came to Mount Carmel in 2002. She was a loyal sports fan; a sticker of the Cubs and a banner of her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes went with her wherever she ministered.

In 1982, Carmel joined a mission team of American nuns and priests for five weeks, as part of a “third world experience” in the Philippines. She expressed deep concern for the people who were living in extreme poverty under an unjust government. The people were sad at her departure from the Philippines and asked her to return soon; she was cited for her awareness and compassion for the issues of the Filipino people. She said that the people have a deep longing for freedom. After this experience, Carmel became even more committed to working with the poor. She went directly to New Mexico and began her ministry in Santa Fe and Albuquerque working with the Hispanic people.

It was said that the first thing you noticed about Sister Carmel Purcell was her Midwestern toughness. Carmel said, “My students used to tell me that I had a wicked stare.” Carmel served the people well with her availability and care. She was exceptionally compassionate toward the poor who could not always meet their tuition requirements. Carmel would tell parents not to worry, “just bring your child to school.” She described her life in ministry as moving where the spirit of the Lord called her. It was often said of Carmel that she was always working to make the school better or safer. One such example occurred during a particularly violent spring in Albuquerque; a former student pulled out a semiautomatic and waved it at the playground during recess. Without pausing, Carmel walked between him and the students. Carmel’s comment after the incident was “the parents know that I will do anything to keep the children safe.”

Carmel, you are a beautiful, loving and caring BVM. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John: “If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” Carmel demonstrated her love for others through her ministry and sharing with her BVM sisters.

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Regina Megivern, BVM (Verna)

Sister Regina Megivern, BVM, 84, died July 14, 2010, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque.

Sister Regina was a teacher, administrator and pastoral minister. She taught elementary school in Washington and Riverside, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Wichita, Kan.; Milwaukee, Wis.; and Chicago, Ill. She served in pastoral ministry in Grand Junction, Colo.; and Kansas City and Independence, Mo. She was a resident/volunteer for many years at Mount Carmel.

She was born Nov. 5, 1925, to Stephen James and Anna Bethke Megivern. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Joseph Parish, Waterloo, Iowa, on Feb. 2, 1944. She professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1946, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1951.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James and Robert; and sisters, Mary Young and Margaret Megivern, BVM. She is survived by nieces, nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 66 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Sister Regina Megivern, BVM (Verna)
Funeral Reflections by Eileen McGovern, BVM
Marian Hall Chapel, July 21, 2010

Welcome to this celebration of the new life of our Sister Regina Megivern.

Regina was born in her Iowa farm home on November 5, 1925, the fifth and the last child of Stephen and Anna Bethke Megivern. Regina received her early education at a one-room rural schoolhouse two miles from her home. She and her siblings walked the two miles back and forth each school day. So from early on, Regina was a great walker.

When Regina completed the eighth grade, her parents wanted her to attend a Catholic high school so they arranged for her to live with an aunt in Waterloo where Regina attended a high school staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. During her junior year of high school her parents moved off the farm to Waterloo. For her final year of high school Regina lived at home with her parents and she transferred to Our Lady of Victory High School which was staffed by the BVMs. She graduated from Our Lady of Victory in 1943, and the following February entered the novitiate here at Mount Carmel. She professed her vows on August 15, 1946, and that September began a 28-year elementary school teaching career.

In the years following Vatican II, scripture came alive for Regina, and she developed a deep, personal relationship with God. She became active in Kansas City in providing prayer experience for interested persons, and in 1974, at the invitation of Bishop Helmsing, she became director of a House of Prayer. During her years there Regina did retreat work and spiritual direction, which she preferred to call spiritual companionship.

In 1981, Regina received a BVM study grant and had the opportunity to enroll in Clinical Pastoral Education. After being certified in CPE she served as a hospital chaplain until her retirement from full-time active ministry in 1990. For several years she continued her ministry of spiritual direction in the Kansas City/Independence area on a part-time basis, and finally in 1994 Regina came home to Mount Carmel. Soon after her arrival she became spiritual friend to many sisters here, and for several years she offered a course at the Roberta Kuhn Center on various ways of praying. This was a very popular course attended by many BVMs, religious of other communities, and local lay people.

This woman, Regina, who was touched by God's steadfast love, responded to that love by committing herself to spreading the word of God's love for everyone. Thus, it is not surprising that Regina chose for the first reading in this liturgy the epistle to the Ephesians. In this epistle we are reminded that we are God's handiwork, God's work of art, and that we must use our God-given talents to live in a manner worthy of the call which we have received.

Regina took that message to heart. She recognized her responsibility to make known God's tremendous love for everyone. She did not do that by preaching or by laying down laws, but rather by living the message of Jesus—“Be compassionate as your God is compassionate.” Everyone was welcome in Regina's life; everyone was special to Regina. Like Jesus, she reached out to each individual she met in a warm, sensitive, loving manner. The peace and the joy which she experienced in her own personal life were shared with each person she encountered.

Regina truly lived that message of Jesus—“Be compassionate as your God is compassionate.” Help us, Regina, to live that same message.

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Mary R. Curoe, BVM (St. Richard)

Sister Mary R. Curoe, BVM, 88, died July 10, 2010, at Caritas Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Thursday, July 15, 2010, in the Marian Hall Chapel. Funeral liturgy will follow at 11 a.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque.

Sister Mary was a teacher, principal and librarian. She served in Tama, Muscatine, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines and Dubuque, Iowa; Rock Island, Berwyn and Chicago, Ill.; Seattle, Wash.; Kansas City, Mo.; and West Hempstead, N.Y.

She was born March 21, 1922, to William and Marie Powers Curoe. She entered the BVM congregation from Sacred Heart Parish, Fillmore, Iowa, on Sept. 8, 1939. She professed first vows on March 19, 1942, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1947.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Richard and John; and a sister, Catherine Pfab. She is survived by a brother, Robert; sister, Janita Curoe, BVM; sister-in-law, Janice Curoe; brother-in-law, Irvin Pfab; a niece and nephew; and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 70 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Sister Mary Curoe, BVM (St. Richard)
Funeral Reflections by Joan Redden, BVM
Marian Hall Chapel, July 15, 2010

On March 21, 1922, William and Marie Powers Curoe welcomed little Mary Joanne, the first of six children, to their family home in Bernard, Iowa. Eventually, along came Robert, Janita, Richard, Catherine and John. The children were baptized, confirmed, and received most of their elementary education in nearby Sacred Heart Parish School in Fillmore, Iowa. Mary’s secondary education was at Our Lady of the Angels Academy, a BVM boarding school in Clinton, Iowa. Like many of us, Mary was similarly drawn to the BVM sense of “dedication to their community, to their ministry of teaching, and to those with whom they are involved in that process.” In her request for permission to enter Mount Carmel on September 8, 1939, Mary stated in simple and direct terms, “I shall do my best to become a useful member of the order.”

“The sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.”
Mary chose this reading for today. She had heard the voice of the Good Shepherd and was faithful to God's call for 70 years. In the spirit of Mary Frances Clarke, Mary Curoe, BVM, would accept the reality, as modeled by her foundress, that God's will was essentially a call to be faithful: a call to be faithful in making the most loving decisions of which one is capable—calling for a pretty impressive act of faith.

How delighted, then, must Mary have been when her younger sister, Janita, entered Mount Carmel in 1946—becoming the fourth member of the Curoe family to enter religious life. Also quite impressive was the fact that Mary, by now an accomplished seamstress, made Janita's postulant outfits. She also purchased or made, and packed into a trunk, everything Janita was asked to bring with her to Mount Carmel. Mary continued to share her sewing skills generously; she and Anita Therese Hayes teamed up to make aprons for a parish fundraiser while missioned at St. Patrick in Tama, Iowa. “Lots of aprons,” according to Anita, who admits, “and Mary did most of the sewing.”

During those 20 plus years when Mary was earning a B.A. in history at St. Ambrose College and a master's degree at Creighton University, Mary extended her ministry of education to the states of Illinois, Iowa, Washington, Arizona and New York. Mary was the kind of teacher we all strove to be: a well-prepared, no-nonsense wellspring of knowledge who retained that droll sense of humor which we, her summer companions, so enjoyed.

Many of us were still working on the 18-year plan (earning our bachelor’s degrees at St. Ambrose while enjoying the occasional get-togethers during the school year and in the summertime). Mary was 10 years older and by comparison, acted more mature than most of us; she might have a history project in the works or a seminar presentation to prepare. Mary was not as fond of the square dancing and softball games as we were, but she was still fun to be around.

Around this time, learning centers—with computers—were prevalent at the junior and senior high school levels in the area. Mary, with that master’s degree in history, and an acquired proficiency in both library science and computers, was in her element helping her students with projects, term papers and daily assignments. Her dedication is affirmed in this directive from the BVM Constitution: “Our mission finds expression in our traditional commitment to education and in ministries emerging from new needs in the Church and in society.”

“The sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.”
Mary heard the voice of the Good Shepherd and was faithful to God's call and to the charism of Mary Frances Clarke—a charism which continues to animate each of us in our mission and ministry. In keeping with our BVM tradition, we thank God for Mary’s dedicated service and the blessing of her life among us.

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Kathryn Bacon, BVM (Kevin Francis)

Sister Kathryn Bacon, BVM, 67, died June 24, 2010 at her home in Las Vegas, Nev. Visitation will be at Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, from 4–8 p.m., with rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at St. Joseph Husband of Mary in Las Vegas. Burial of her cremated remains will be in the Mount Carmel cemetery.

Sister Kathryn was an educator who taught for many years in Palm Springs, Calif., and Las Vegas, Nev. She also taught in Kansas City, Mo., and Missoula, Mont. She was currently a resident of Las Vegas and a volunteer at St. Joseph Husband of Mary. She would have celebrated her 50th Jubilee in July, 2010.

Sister Kathryn was born Sept. 5, 1942, in Chicago, Ill., to Harold and Kathryn Syron Bacon. She entered the BVM congregation from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Chicago, Ill., on July 31, 1960. She professed first vows on Feb. 2, 1963, and final vows on Feb. 2, 1968.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by a sister, Denise Kolodzik; a brother, Kevin; a niece and nephew; and by the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 49 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Retirement Fund.

Sister Kathryn Bacon, BVM (Kevin Francis)
Funeral Reflections by Kathleen Conway, BVM
St. Joseph Husband of Mary Church, Las Vegas, Nev., June 30, 2010

Kathryn Bacon was born in Chicago on Sept. 5, 1942, the first of three children of Harold and Kathryn Syron Bacon. Her sister Denise and her brother Kevin are here with us today. Their dad worked in an electrical firm and their mom stayed at home with the growing children. Kathy attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Grade School, and at her mom’s insistence, Immaculata High School, her mom’s alma mater. It was at Immaculata that Kathy met the BVM sisters. She was impressed with their happiness and professionalism. In her senior year, with the support of her parents, she made the decision to enter the convent.

After 2 1/2 years of formation in Dubuque, Iowa, and two years at Mundelein College in Chicago, Kathy received her bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and education in 1965—a memorable date for her—for as she says in her autobiography, she “doubted her academic ability.”

Her first teaching mission was in Kansas City, Mo., where she taught first graders for five years. She then moved to Missoula, Mont., where she lived and worked for seven years teaching fifth and first grades. She describes these years as “very happy.”

In 1977, Alice Dunphy, BVM agreed to be principal at St. Theresa School in Palm Springs, Calif., and invited Kathy to work there with her. According to Kathy, the place needed a lot of work on many different levels. The two of them got involved immediately and eventually created a state of the art facility. Kathy taught there for 20 happy years and experienced the people there as “loving and supportive of me both personally and professionally.” It was in Palm Springs that Kathy reached the peak of her professional life, becoming a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an elite educational sorority. She was also nominated teacher of the year for the West Region of the National Catholic Education Association.

Kathy took a well-earned sabbatical and in 1998 joined Alice here in Las Vegas, where she continued teaching first grade at Our Lady of Las Vegas, and later at Madison, Wendell Williams and Lowman elementary schools. Her most recent work was with this church [St. Joseph Husband of Mary] as a multi-faceted volunteer.

Throughout her life Kathy kept in close contact with her family in Chicago, returning at least twice a year for lengthy visits. After her parents died, she continued her deep relationship with her siblings as they walked together through both the good times and the difficult times that touch every family.

Kathy would have celebrated 50 years of religious life this summer with our set of 25 who entered with her and grew in love of God, of our BVM sisters and the people with whom we have been privileged to work.

Kathy will be deeply missed by many and certainly by all of us gathered here to celebrate her life. She will be remembered for her generosity, her kindness and her loyalty to family and friends.

As we were writing the obituary, Alice summed up Kathy’s life for me. “Don’t put a lot of ‘good deeds’ in the obituary,” she said. “Kathy’s life speaks for itself.”

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Margaret Swann, BVM (Reina)

Sister Margaret Swann, BVM, 95, died June 26, 2010, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will follow at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque.

Sister Margaret was an elementary school teacher. She taught in Tama, Iowa; Rock Island, Ill.; Seattle, Wash.; and Portland, Ore. From 1955–85, she taught in Kansas City, Mo.

She was born Oct. 26, 1914, to Raymond C. and Mary Cecilia Donovan Swann. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Vincent Parish, Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 8, 1932. She professed first vows on March 19, 1935, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1940.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Charles and Frank; and a sister Alma Horton. She is survived by nieces and nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 77 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Sister Margaret Swann, BVM (Reina)
Funeral Reflections by C. Jean Hayen, BVM
Marian Hall Chapel, Dubuque, Iowa, June 30, 2010

Welcome to the family and friends of Sister Margaret Swann who have joined us today.

Margaret’s life witnessed to Paul’s invitation to “Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, since, as members of one body, you have been called to that peace (Col 3:15).” Especially in her practice of centering prayer with her BVM friends, she embodied peace.

Margaret Swann was born on Oct. 26, 1914, the youngest child of Mary Donovan and Raymond C. Swann. Her siblings, Alma, Charles and Francis, dearly loved her. As a woman of peace, Margaret was aware that her birth was at the start of WWI. She lived through six wars in her lifetime. She often expressed a prayer for world peace.

Margaret graduated from St. Vincent grade and high school in Kansas City, Mo.

On July 16, 1931, Margaret said she “thought about becoming a BVM.” She next would say she tried to “get rid” of this thought. In September 1931, she put a vocation question in Sister Ambrosina’s question box. Later, in February 1932, Sister Ambrosina explained that the “thought” about a vocation could be an invitation. Margaret entered Mount Carmel on Sept. 8, 1932. Both she and I appreciated Sister Ambrosina’s guidance and mentoring as we each began BVM life.

After five wonderful years teaching kindergarten through third grade at St. Patrick, Tama, Iowa, Margaret moved northwest, teaching grades second through fifth at St. Anthony, St. John, and St. George in Seattle, Wash.; and St. Cecilia and St. Clare in Portland, Ore. Many BVMs speak of her love of teaching.

In 1955, Margaret’s provincial (sensitive to her father living alone) sent her eastward to her hometown, Kansas City, Mo. She taught elementary grades at Annunciation and St. Vincent (her home parish) as well as Christ the King and St Therese. She was asked to start a BVM retirement community at St. Francis Xavier; she then lived for three years at St. Regis before her retirement to Mount Carmel in 1996. For 40-plus years in four different convents, she loved living with her good friend, Sister Mary Therese Pfeifer. Those who lived with Margaret express how they were blessed to live with her because of her example and love of the community. Her prayer intentions would end with a prayer for “our faithfulness to Mother Clarke.”

When changes needed to be made during the school year, Margaret was chosen to do so. She was so adaptable, ready to accept any change the community requested of her. Margaret spoke of being at peace with the many changes in her life and in the church. She once said, “Ideas wear out just like clothes. Only realities of life remain.” Peace “centered” her being.

She liked to tell of a childhood event which she entitled “Well Swum, Swann” about her fear of taking a “Swann-Dive.” Later, in her autobiography, she wondered “if death may be something like that. Will it be like standing at the edge of your life and seeing God beckoning to you, and then you just ‘let go’?” Margaret, God has beckoned you home. You have gently “let go.” God’s peace.

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

Sister Mary DeCock, BVM (Donatus)

Sister Mary De Cock, BVM, 87, died June 2, 2010, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque.

Mary was an educator. She taught secondary school in Des Moines, Iowa for eight years. From 1955 through 1991 she taught at Mundelein College in Illinois. She was a professor at Loyola University Chicago for three years and later became Professor Emerita at Loyola. Mary was also very active in congregational service for many years.

She was born March 26, 1923, to Donatus A. and Ella M. Scallan DeCock. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Joseph, DeWitt, Iowa, on Sept. 8, 1944. She professed first vows on March 19, 1947, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1952.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters. She is survived by nieces and nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 67 years.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund.

Sister Mary D. DeCock, BVM (Donatus)
Funeral Reflections by Carolyn Farrell, BVM
Marian Hall Chapel, June 8, 2010

“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith,” Timothy states in the first reading of today’s liturgy celebrating the life of Helen, Sister Mary Donatus, Mary DeCock, BVM. Mary too, competed well, finished the race and kept the faith. She was born at home in DeWitt, Iowa, March 26, 1923, the third daughter of Ella Scallan DeCock and Donatus DeCock. Mary and Elizabeth preceded Helen’s birth, later providing Mary with a grand group of loving nieces and nephews.

Mary attended St. Joseph grade and high school located in DeWitt. Mary had a fondness for her town of origin, which is located on Hwy. 61 approximately 25 miles north of Davenport, Iowa. She recalls her youthful days in a recently written autobiography, written to answer her nephew Mark Hurley’s question: “What was it like to grow up in DeWitt?” In it she described the tradition of summer evening rides with her dad driving her mother and Auntie McCarl, who lived next door—rides to relax and enjoy the fresh air. She noted that every trip was a guided tour into the past with Auntie as narrator and interpreter; therein began Mary’s love of pondering and documenting the past, whether in a carefully detailed family genealogy, an article on Father T. J. Donaghoe or Creating a College: The Foundation of Mundelein, 1929-1931.

She considered the University of Iowa for college, but Catholic education was a requirement in the DeCock household; sisters and priests were scattered on their family tree. Mary decided to follow her sisters to Clarke College. She indicated she was not sure she would like the school, but came to love it and her new college friends; she graduated with a double major in Sociology and English. The following September 8, 1944, Mary joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Perhaps I could say, “The rest is history.”

Mary was received into the community on March 19, 1945, and received the name Mary Donatus. She made first vows on March 19, 1947, and final vows August 15, 1952. Right after her first profession, Mary was assigned to teach at St. Joseph Academy, Des Moines, Iowa. She remained there until she was changed to Mundelein College in August 1955 after successfully earning her Master of Arts in English/journalism from Marquette University that summer.

I had the happy pleasure to be a student in Mary’s sociology class. I was fixated by Mary’s penetrating brown eyes, sparkle hidden within, and her long, slim fingers as she was standing before us at the podium. I also participated in two years of journalism, with Mary as our refreshing and creative teacher. Her role modeling led me to the BVMs. Mary always stated she loved her years at the Academy and was not eager to leave Des Moines for Chicago.

Mary’s long career at Mundelein College began in 1955 as a teacher of English and journalism, later working in the area of public relations and development for the college; Mary did not enjoy the latter position. She received a sabbatical to study at the University of Chicago in the area of social ethics; Mary received her master’s degree but never finished the requirements for the Ph.D. as she put her energy into congregational involvement and justice issues in the United States.

In the ’60s, she traveled with Mundelein faculty and students to march with Martin Luther King, Jr., in Selma, Ala. The experience was a life-changing event according to the sister from De Witt. She was suddenly aware of racism in this direct encounter and realized the grief it caused to so many people. The racism of this era, the emerging women’s movement and the peace demonstrations during the Vietnam war found Mary actively engaged in each struggle.

It was in these years that Vatican II occurred and the call for renewal of religious life led the BVMs to create a three-week symposium entitled “The Problems that Unite Us,” with national speakers and over 200 BVMs in attendance. She stated it was a hectic time for her as she became responsible for all the chores of public relations and publicity for the event. The BVM Self-Study followed shortly after the Problems that Unite Us and ushered in the 1968 Tenth General Chapter. She was part of the Communications Committee during the Self-Study and an elected delegate to the chapter where she vigorously participated in the discussions and votes.

Mary’s steady race of life continued as she became a senator in the newly-formed government, later a candidate for president of the congregation, regional representative for the experimental Region Ten, and in following years, a senator. She combined these responsibilities with her work at Mundelein College assisting in the development of the Weekend College, participating in Mundelein’s Religious Education program and later becoming its director. She was a key participant in the local sanctuary movement in Chicago, worked for the passage of the Illinois ERA, wrote articles for Salt and other publications and traveled on study tours to Central and South America and Russia. She was a loyal member of the BVM Network for Women’s Issues and the BVM Heritage Society. She indicated she saw her role as spokesperson for various issues. She was persistent, low-key, not in your face or looking for glory; she was optimistic and happy. Mary stated in one of her interviews that she was “laid back” like her Belgian father.

Mary was a voracious reader and had time for her friends. Her college pal, Rita Benz, was a life-long collaborator and friend. Mary I. Griffin was a special friend and academic mentor. Elsa Copeland was her treasure at Mundelein, not her cat; and Joan Francis Crowley, a friend from St. Joseph Academy days, remained part of her inner circle of friends. Katie McHugh, a housemate for years sharing friendship and family, remained loyal to the end. Mary’s deep love continued for the BVM congregation, Mundelein College and her family.

These last years Mary was slowing down in the race of life and she didn’t like it. It was living that she was about. At times she was frustrated with the limitations life now held for her; eating was a challenge and physical therapy was not high on her list. Her brown eyes never changed; the sparkle always reappeared during a friendly exchange. Indeed, she competed well, finished the race and kept the faith.

If you would like to give a memorial in honor of this Sister click here.

To view a list of all obituaries/reflections, Click Here