Mary Ann Behary, SCN

Mary Ann Behary, SCN, was called to her heavenly home on April 25, 2014, at the age of 80 and in the 63rd year of her religious life. Sister Mary Ann entered the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Mary Parish in Brownsville, Pa., in 1951.

She received her B.Ed. and M.Ed degrees with Permanent Certification in Elementary Administration from Duquesne University and served the Church as an elementary teacher and principal in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pa., Steubenville, Ohio, Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo., Mobile, Ala., and as CCD teacher and Pastoral Minister in Memphis, Tenn. Her career in education was followed by serving the Sisters as Coordinator at the Vincentian Motherhouse.

When illness forced her into retirement, Sister spent a brief time in recovery at the Vincentian Home and finally at the St. Louise Convent infirmary, where she passed away peacefully.

Although Sister was of short stature and frail body, her presence was felt by her great sense of humor and dry wit that always evoked a good laugh. She often said, “When I die, I want everyone to know it was my bones that killed me.”

Sister Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents George and Mary Behary and her sister Christine Florian. She is survived by her brother George, her sister Theresa (Dan) Capatolla, nieces and nephews, and her Sisters in Community.

Claudia Voytek, SCN

Claudia Voytek, SCN, age 85, died April 15, 2014, having served the Lord faithfully for 68 years. She was originally from Republic, Pa., and entered the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from Holy Rosary Parish in 1946.

Sister Claudia received Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education in Elementary Administration from Duquesne University. During her years in ministry in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Mobile, Ala., Sister Claudia served in various assignments including elementary school teacher, principal, and parish organist.  Prior to her retirement, Sister was organist at the Vincentian Motherhouse for 45 years, where she was greatly regarded for her gift and love of music. Sister Claudia endeavored to glorify the Lord through her rendition of meaningful music in the Sacred Liturgy. Her final years were spent as a substitute teacher at St. Sebastian and St. Ursula Schools, along with providing piano lessons to students in the Pittsburgh area.

Sister Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mae Voytek.  She is survived by her sister, Emerentia Voytek, SCN, her brother, Leo, and her Sisters in Community.

Jane Hall, SCN

Jane Hall, SCN, 83, formerly Sister Ann Cabrini Hall, a native of Louisville, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on April 1, 2014. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 65 years.

Sister Jane served in Kentucky and Tennessee in elementary and secondary education, as both teacher and principal for 39 years. In Louisville, Sister taught at Presentation Academy from 1964-65 and at Trinity High School from 1969-91. Sister Jane also served in the Sister Visitor Program from 1991-92; at St. Joseph Day Development Center from 1992-93; and in the Chaplaincy Dept. and Community Service at Nazareth Home/Maria Hall from 1993-2007. Sister became a resident at Nazareth Home and served in the Apostolate of Prayer from January 2008 till the present.

Survivors include two brothers, Jim and Phil Hall, both of Louisville; nieces and nephews and her religious community.

Mary Justin Wheeler, SCN

Mary Justin Wheeler, SCN, 102, a native of St. Thomas Parish, Bardstown, died Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Nazareth Home, Louisville. Sister had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 85 years.

Sister Mary Justin served in Community Service and as Cafeteria Supervisor in Kentucky and Ohio for 74 years. Sister became a resident at Nazareth Home and served in the Apostolate of Prayer since June 2004.

In the Diocese of Owensboro, Sister served as Cafeteria Supervisor at St. Frances Academy from 1940-1951 and at Owensboro Catholic from 1951-1983. Sister Mary Justin was beloved by her family members, her Sisters in community, the students and teachers. Clergy faculty members at Catholic High used to love to pay her their respects and often enjoy a conversation and a special treat in the convent kitchen.

Sister is survived by nieces and nephews, and her religious community.

Xavier Valiakunnackal, SCN

Xavier Valiakunnackal, SCN, died at the age of 75 on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. Sister Xavier was in her 53rd year of religious life.

Sister Xavier entered the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth on May 27, 1959, from Chengalam South, Kerala, India. Sister Xavier received a BA from Patna Women’s College, Bihar. Sister was trained in x-ray, lab technology, and culinary arts from Mumbai and Hindustani and instrumental music from Panchamari, Uttar Pradesh.

Sister Xavier served the sick as a supervisor for 18 years at the admitting office and dietary department of Nazareth Hospital, Mokama. She preached Charismatic retreats to God’s people for 31 years until her retirement from active retreat ministry in 2010. In the 49 years that she spent in caring for the sick and the spiritually poor, she touched thousands of lives and brought much consolation and joy.

Sister Xavier is survived by four brothers, two sisters, many nieces and nephews and her SCN family.

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Learn more about Sister Xavier in Matter India here: http://mattersindia.com/nun-preacher-in-indian-villages-dies/

Phyllis Gembarosky, SCN

Phyllis Gembarosky, SCN, died at the age of 77 on Tuesday, February 5, 2014. Sister Phyllis was in her 60th year of religious life.

Sister entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1954, from St. Dominic Parish in Donora, Pa. Sister Phyllis received a BS. Ed. with a major in Social Studies from Mt. Mercy College (Carlow) and a M.Ed. in elementary education administration from Duquesne University.

Sister Phyllis served God’s children as a teacher and principal in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg in Pennsylvania, Mobile, Alabama, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In the 54 years that she spent in education, she touched the lives of hundreds of children and infants and this brought her much joy.

Sister is survived by her sisters Clara McDonough and Martha Gembarosky of Baltimore, Md., and many nieces and nephews. Sister also leaves to celebrate her life, the many members of her religious community.

Mary George Verlich, SCN

Mary George Verlich, SCN, 90 died at Lourdes Hall in St. Louise Convent on January 14, 2014, having served God faithfully for 73 years.  Sister Mary George was originally from Clairton, Pa.  She entered the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Joseph Parish in Clairton, PA in 1941.

During her years of ministry in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Youngstown, Ohio and Mobile, Alabama, Sister Mary George served in various assignments, including kindergarten, catechetical and elementary school teacher, convent housekeeper, as well as a parish organist for 33 years. Prior to her retirement, Sister was the dietitian for 20 years at the Vincentian Motherhouse where she was greatly regarded for her organizational skills, immaculate kitchen and delicious meals. Her final years from 1995 to the present were devoted to prayer ministry in the Lourdes Hall infirmary.

Sister Mary George was preceded in death by her parents, John and Bertha Verlich, her brothers Matthew, John, and Edward and her sisters, Sister Francis Borgia, VSC, Vida Vrabel and Vilma De Maio. She is survived by a sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Nardine Aquadro, SCN

Nardine Aquadro, SCN, 79, a native of Memphis, Tenn., died at Methodist Hospice, Memphis on December 31, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 62 years.

Sister Nardine served in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland and Tennessee as a teacher in elementary and religious education. In Louisville, Sister served in Holy Family, St. Cecilia, St. Thomas More and SS. Simon and Jude Parishes. Sister Nardine’s latest ministry was in Memphis as Manager of the Literacy Initiatives Program for Assisi Foundation of Memphis.

Survivors include a brother, Charles Aquadro (Delores) of Southaven, Miss.; a sister, Mary Ann Linder (Kordel) of Forrest City, Ark., and her religious community.

Leontia Spisak, SCN

Leontia Spisak, SCN, 99, born in Searights, Pa., and baptized in New Salem, Pa., died at St. Louise Convent, Pittsburgh on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Sister had been a woman religious for 82 years. 

Sister Leontia received a Bachelor of Education from Duquesne University and a Master of Education in Art from Notre Dame University. She served in elementary and secondary education in Ohio and Pennsylvania for 50 years. Later Sister served in the business office and hospitality at the Vincentian Motherhouse in Pittsburgh. For the past nine years Sister has served in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Survivors include a brother, John S. Spisak, a sister, Margaret Spisak, both of Slippery Rock, Pa., and her religious community.

Mary Carolyn Abell, SCN

Mary Carolyn Abell, SCN, 77, formerly Sister Maria Goretti Abell, a native of Louisville, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on October 20, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 59 years.

Sister Mary Carolyn served in elementary education in Tennessee and Massachusetts for 16 years. In Louisville, Sister served as music therapist at Our Lady of Peace Hospital and as Director of Liturgical Ministers at St. Edward and St. Agnes Parishes. Sister Mary Carolyn also served as a part-time Cantor and Liturgist in other parishes. Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer at Nazareth Home since 2005.

Survivors include a sister, Margaret A. Johanneman of Louisville, Ky.; two brothers, Nicholas Abell of Shepherdsville, Ky., and Donald Abell of Louisville, Ky., and her religious community.