Alice Wills, SCN

Alice Wills, SCN, formerly Sister Alice Richard Wills, 94, a native of Dorchester, Mass., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on December 25, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 68 years.

Sister Alice served in the apostolate of elementary education in Tennessee and Massachusetts for 51 years. In retirement, Sister served in the apostolate of prayer.

Survivors include: a sister-in-law, Noreen Wills of Huntington Beach, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, December 28, 2009 at Nazareth Home at followed by burial in Nazareth Cemetery, Nazareth, KY

Mary Clare Murajda, SCN

Mary Clare Murajda, SCN, age 88, died on December 11, 2009, at 5:15 a.m. At the time of her death Sister was a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Nazareth, KY.

Born in Braddock, Penn., Sister Mary Clare entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Michael Parish in 1936 and served God and the Church for 73 years. She attended Duquesne University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree.

During her years in ministry, Sister Mary Clare served as dietician in Pittsburgh, Penn.; Youngstown, Ohio; Allison Park, Penn.; Montgomery, Ala., and the Vincentian Motherhouse, Pittsburgh, Penn.

Sister Mary Clare was preceded in death by her parents, John and Barbara Murajda, brothers, John and Joseph and sisters Margaret and Cecilia. She is survived by two sisters, Emerentiana Matvya of Swissville, Penn., and Frances Skantar of Monroeville, Penn.; and one brother, Frank Murajda, as well as her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Mary Michael Baksi, SCN

Mary Michael Baksi, SCN, 80, died on November 20, 2009. Sister Mary Michael was in the 62nd year of religious life.

Sister Mary Michael was born in Homestead, Pa. and entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Michael Parish in 1947. She attended Duquesne University where she earned both Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts degrees.

During her years of ministry, Sister Mary Michael taught in both elementary and secondary schools, as well as served as elementary school principal in the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Johnstown-Altoona of Pennsylvania; Youngstown, Ohio; and Mobile, Alabama. Sister also served as Director of Novices for six years.

Sister Mary Michael was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Anna Baksi; her brothers John, Michael and Joseph; and her sisters Mary and Anne. She is survived by cousins, friends and her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Thomasine Kottoor, SCN

Thomasine Kottoor, SCN, 75, a native of Kidangoor, Kerala, died at Mokama Hospital in India on October 20, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 47 years.

Sister Thomasine served in health care in Mokameh Junction, New Delhi, Mumbai, Mokama, Lucknow and Bakhtiarpur for over 40 years until her retirement. She also served in Community Service from 1986-87.

Survivors include a brother, K.T. Mathew Kottoor and two sisters, Sister Auxilia Kottoor, SVM, and Aleyamma Thomas Kuruvila, and her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Ann Maureen McGrath, SCN

Ann Maureen McGrath, SCN, 93, a native of Brockton, Mass., died at Nazareth Home on October 13, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 74 years.

Sister Ann Maureen served in education as both classroom and music teacher for 46 years in Ohio, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Maryland. In Louisville, Sister taught at St. Philip Neri School from 1939-40. Sister Ann Maureen also taught English as a Second Language, served in Pastoral Ministry and as Administrator of Camp Maria Retreat Center in Leonardtown, Md.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, and her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Rose Clare Ostenski, SCN

Rose Clare Ostenski, SCN, 95, a native of Blaine, Ohio, died at Nazareth Home on October 12, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 73 years.

Sister Rose Clare served in Community Service and elementary education until retirement when she served in the Apostolate of Prayer. Sister taught at Holy Name School, Louisville, from 1953-58.

Survivors include one sister-in-law, Marge Jastrebski of Bridgeport, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara Lawler Thomas, SCN

Barbara Lawler Thomas, SCN, formerly known as Sister Barbara Maria Thomas, 87, a native of Richmond, Va, died at Nazareth Home on October 8, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 68 years.

Sister Barbara served as Superior General of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth from 1972-80, and later as President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Sister then served in Intercongregational Ministry as Consultant and as Vice President for Mission and Community Relations at Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Louisville, Ky.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews, and her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

M. Adalbert Vandzura, SCN

M. Adalbert Vandzura, SCN, died on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pa., at the age of 89. Sister was in the 75th year of her religious life.

Sister Adalbert was born in Braddock, Pa., on October 12, 1919, and was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Terek) Vandzura.

Sister Adalbert entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Michael Parish, Braddock, Pa. She attended Duquesne University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Masters of Education in Elementary Administration.

During the years of her ministry, Sister Adalbert taught for 39 years in parishes throughout Pennsylvania; Youngstown, Ohio and Fonthill, Canada. Of those years she also served as principal at St. Michael School in Munhall, St. Ursula School in Allison Park and St. Alexander School in Fonthill, Canada. In 1979, she served as part of the Vincentian Leadership Team and as House Superior. She continued her years of service within the Motherhouse in various duties until her admission to the Vincentian Home in 2006, where she was part of the Prayer Ministry.

Sister Adalbert was preceded in death by brothers Albert, John and Paul Vangura and sisters Mary Gregory and Cecilia Kolbas. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Leonora Brunner, SCN

Leonora Brunner, SCN, 99, a native of Memphis, Tenn., died at Nazareth Home on September 24, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 80 years.

Sister Leonora served in the apostolate of education in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Arkansas and Tennessee. She taught at Wimpsett Public School, Bardstown, Ky. from 1943-47. In Louisville, Sister Leonora taught at St. Frances of Rome School. She also served as driver in community missions and worked with VISTA as Community Organizer in Memphis. Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer at the Motherhouse and at Nazareth Home/Maria Hall.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews and her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Alice Garrity, SCN

Alice Garrity, SCN, formerly known as Sister Daniel Joseph Garrity, 82, a native of Woburn, Mass., died at Flaget Hospital, Bardstown, on September 8, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 58 years.

Sister Alice served in the apostolate of elementary education in Kentucky and Ohio for 36 years. In Louisville, Sister taught at Holy Family, St. Pius X, St. Barnabas, St. Brigid and St. Martha Schools. Sister Alice later served in the Apostolate of Prayer. She became a resident at the Motherhouse in August 2008.

Survivors include three sisters: Helen Mullen and Eleanor Masatta of Woburn, Mass., and Isabel Jenkins of East Woburn, Mass.

Samuella Buckman, SCN

Samuella Buckman, SCN, 76, a native of Waverly, Ky., died at Hardin Memorial Hospital, Elizabethtown, Ky., on Monday, September 7, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 57 years.

Sister Samuella served in the apostolate of elementary education in Tennessee, Maryland, Ohio and Kentucky for 35 years as teacher and librarian. Sister taught at St. Thomas School, Bardstown, from 1981-82, and was a student at Spalding College, Louisville, Ky., from 1982-83. Sister served in Pastoral Ministry and Maintenance at Camp Maria Retreat Center, Leonardtown, Md. from 1990-96 when she became a resident at the Motherhouse.

Survivors include a sister, Elizabeth Jenkins of Roseville, Mich., and a sister-in-law, Betty Jean Buckman of Buda, Ill., as well as many nieces and nephews.

Clara Willett, SCN

Clara Willett, SCN, 94, a native of Fancy Farm, Ky., died at Saints Mary & Elizabeth Hospital on September 1, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 75 years.

Sister Clara served as both principal and teacher in elementary education in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Arkansas, Louisiana and Maryland. In Louisville, she taught at St. Cecilia and St. Thomas More Schools. Sister Clara also served as Coordinator of activities at Nazareth Villages from 1979-89 and again from 1991-1995. Sister became a resident at Nazareth Home in 2005.

Survivors include a brother, Dr. J. Emmanuel Willett of Crestview Hills, Ky., and three sisters, Rachel Willett, SCN, of Nazareth, Ky., Lenora Turney of Annandale, Va., and Celeste Russell of Paducah, Ky.

William Mary Chawk, SCN

William Mary Chawk, SCN, 95, a native of Louisville, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on August 6, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 70 years.

Sister William Mary served in health care as a nurse and x-ray technician in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. In Bardstown, Sister served in health care at Flaget Memorial Hospital as an x-ray technician from 1971-75. She also served as a driver at Russell Hall from 1975-76. In retirement, at the Motherhouse from 1996-2002, Sister served in Volunteer Ministry and in the Apostolate of Prayer. Sister became a permanent resident at Nazareth Home/Maria Hall in December 2002.

Survivors include a brother, Frank K. Chawk of Louisville, Ky., and several nieces and nephews.

James Albert Wiggins, SCN

James Albert Wiggins, SCN, 97, a native of Roanoke, Va., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, August 1, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 69 years.

Sister James Albert served in the apostolates of child care and elementary education in Massachusetts, Kentucky, Arkansas and Virginia for 43 years. In Louisville, Sister served at St. Vincent Orphanage, St. Augustine School and Most Blessed Sacrament School. In retirement, Sister served in volunteer ministry and the Apostolate of Prayer. Sister James Albert became a permanent resident at Nazareth Home in February 2008.

Survivors include a sister, Dora Assaid of Roanoke, Va., and several nieces and nephews.

Frances Barber, SCN

Frances Barber, SCN, 93, formerly known as Sister Philetus Ann Barber, SCN, a native of Fredericktown, Ky., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on July 25, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 69 years.

Sister Frances served in the apostolate of elementary and secondary education in Kentucky and Ohio as both teacher and principal. In Bardstown, Sister taught upper grades at St. Monica and St. Joseph Schools from 1971-72 and Art at Bethlehem High School from 1973-74. Sister served as Receptionist at Flaget Hospital from 1982-94 and in the Apostolate of Prayer at the Motherhouse from 1994-2009. Sister transitioned from the Motherhouse to Nazareth Home in June 2009.

Survivors include four sisters: Catherine Edelen and Mary Ann Bowling of Bardstown, Ky., Margaret Kelly of Springfield, Ky., and Sister Catherine Barber, OSU, of Maple Mount, Ky., two brothers, Bob Barber of Springfield, Ky., and Aaron Barber of Madison, Ind.

Barbara Ann Giddings, SCN

Barbara Ann Giddings, SCN, 83, a native of Memphis, Tenn., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on July 4, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 66 years.

Sister Barbara Ann served in the apostolate of elementary education in Kentucky and Maryland. After her first profession of vows, she served as a teacher of Grade One at Bethlehem Academy in Bardstown, Ky. Sister Barbara Ann became a resident at Nazareth Home/Maria Hall in January 1985 and served in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Survivors include two sisters, Marie L. Dix of Cordova, Tenn., and Ella Mae Maynard of Memphis, Tenn., a niece and a nephew.

Bernard Ann Ruebusch, SCN

Bernard Ann Ruebusch, SCN, 92, a native of Covington, Ky., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky. on June 13, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 73 years.

Sister Bernard Ann served in the apostolate of education as both teacher and principal in Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Alabama for 29 years. Sister later served as Program Director of the School of Nuclear Medicine at St. Vincent Infirmary, Little Rock, Ark., from 1969-1993. Sister Bernard Ann resided at Nazareth Motherhouse from 1993-2009 and transferred to Nazareth Home in February, 2009.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Jeanette Ruebusch of Taylor Mill, Ky., and several nieces and nephews.

Theresa Murphy, SCN, 82

Theresa Murphy, SCN, 82, formerly Sister Joseph Theresa Murphy, a native of St. Joseph, Ky., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on June 12, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 62 years.

Sister Theresa served in the apostolate of education in Kentucky, Ohio and Maryland. She taught at St. Thomas School, Bardstown, Ky., from 1975-84. Sister Theresa also served as a member of the Catherine Spalding Center Pastoral Ministry Staff at Nazareth from 1991-92, and as Office Assistant in the SCN Mission Office and later in the Office of Congregational Advancement at Nazareth, Ky., from 1992-2000. Sister became a resident at Nazareth Home in October 2003.

Survivors include a brother, Murray Murphy of Owensboro, Ky., and several nieces and nephews.

Mary Clarence Kominak, SCN

Mary Clarence Kominak, SCN, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., died at the age of 98 on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pa. Sister was in the 84th year of her religious life.

Sister Clarence entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Mary Parish, Brownsville, Pa. She attended St. Francis School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pa., and became a registered nurse in 1939.

Before her nursing career, Sister Clarence taught elementary grades in Youngstown and Struthers, Ohio for several years. As a registered nurse, Sister served at the Motherhouse, Regency Hall Nursing Home, Belvedere Hospital, Vincentian Home and Villa deMarillac Nursing Home all in Pittsburgh, Pa., Holy Ghost Mission, Marbury, Ala., St. Jude Hospital, Montgomery, Ala., Mother Mary Mission, Phenix, Ala., and St. Vincent Hospital in Monett, Mo. Sister Clarence served 17 years at Holy Ghost Mission. Sister Clarence returned to the Motherhouse in 1991 and joined the Prayer Ministry Group. She became a resident of the Vincentian Home in 2003.

Sister Clarence is survived by her sisters in the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. The Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. Burial was in the Sisters’ cemetery on the St. Louise convent grounds in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mary Angela Mudd, SCN

Mary Angela Mudd, SCN, 81, formerly Sister Leo Bernadette Mudd, a native of Fredericktown, Ky., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on May 24, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 61 years.

Sister Mary Angela served in the apostolate of elementary and secondary education as teacher and principal in Kentucky, Ohio and Maryland. In Bardstown, Sister taught religion and mathematics at Bethlehem High School from 1970-72.

She also served as Coordinator of Religious Education in Holy Trinity Parish, Fredericktown, Ky., from 1972-77; as Archdiocesan Consultant in the RORE offices at Nazareth and Bardstown, Ky., from 1977-83; as Director of Chaplaincy at Flaget Memorial Hospital, Bardstown, Ky., from 1983-95. Sister Mary Angela worked in Healing Care at the Motherhouse and Russell Hall from 1996-2005. Sister became a resident at the Motherhouse in 2005 and was transferred to Nazareth Home in May 2007.

Survivors include a brother, Buddy (Ann) Mudd; two sisters, Margaret (Billy Ray) Edelen; and Rose Marie (Joe Pat) Taylor, all of Bardstown, Ky.; a brother, Randy Mudd and three sisters, Norma (Bill) Mudd, Mary (Joe) Mudd, and Rose (Maurice) Smith all of Springfield, Ky. Sister was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Bernadette Mudd, and a sister, Dorothy Boone.

Althaire Green, SCN

Althaire Green, SCN, 83, a native of Lebanon, Ky., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on May 24, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 64 years.

Sister Althaire served in the apostolate of education on the elementary and collegiate levels in Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio. She taught biology and related sciences at Spalding University from 1981-92, and from 1993-96.

Survivors include a brother, Thomas Mattingly Green of Mount Vernon, Ill., and three nieces, George Ann Lamb of Crestwood, Ky., Charlotte Vaughn of Corbin, Ky., and Margaret Priola of Birmingham, Ala.

Jean Carmel Howard, SCN

Jean Carmel Howard, SCN, age 97, a native of Whitesville, Ky., died at Flaget Hospital, Bardstown, Ky., on May 13, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 77 years.

Sister served in the apostolate of elementary education in Kentucky, Ohio, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Virginia. Sister also served in child care in Memphis, Tenn. In retirement at the Motherhouse, Sister worked in arts and crafts, the Thrift Shop and served in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Survivors include a niece and her husband, Mary and Gordon Faulkner, and a grand-niece, Donna Roby, all of Owensboro, Ky.

Marita Riede, SCN

Marita Riede, SCN, age 88, a native of Louisville, Ky., died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Ky., on Wednesday, April 8, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 69 years. Sister served in the apostolate of education on the elementary and collegiate levels in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee for 44 years.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Jean Riede of Wisconsin Dells, Wis. and several nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Vincent Church, Nazareth, Ky., with burial in Nazareth Cemetery.

Veronica Sheehan, SCN

Veronica Sheehan, SCN, formerly Helen Charles Sheehan, 77, a native of West Roxbury, Mass., died at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, Louisville, Ky., on March 27, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 58 years.

Sister Veronica served in elementary education in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia. She served as Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Gerard Parish, Roanoke, Va., from 1983-92. Sister Veronica also worked with the elderly in the Foster Grandparent outreach program in the Richmond, Va., area. Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer at the Nazareth Motherhouse.

Survivors include a sister, Mrs. William Smith of Gettysburg, Pa., and a brother, Lawrence Sheehan, of Wellesley, Mass.

Agnita Marie Hill, SCN

Agnita Marie Hill, SCN, 86, a native of Peonia, Ky., died at Audubon Hospital, Louisville, Ky., on February 26, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 62 years.

Sister Agnita Marie served in the apostolate of elementary education in Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia for 25 years. Sister began her educational ministry at Bethlehem Academy, Bardstown, Ky., where she served from 1949-53. Sister also served in Pastoral Ministry at Flaget Memorial Hospital as Director of Pastoral Care from 1980-83.

Survivors include two sisters: June Stanley of Louisville, Ky., and Madeline Marie Hill, SFP, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lawrence Ann Ryan, SCN

Lawrence Ann Ryan, SCN, age 93, a native of Fancy Farm, Ky., died at Flaget Memorial Hospital, Bardstown, Ky., on February 20, 2009. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 73 years.

Sister Lawrence Ann served in Community service, health services, pre-school, elementary education and clerical services in Kentucky and Tennessee for 67 years. In retirement at the Motherhouse, Nazareth, Ky., Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Survivors include several devoted nieces and nephews.

A Prayer Service was held in St. Vincent Church, Nazareth, Ky., on Sunday evening, February 22, 2009.The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, February 23, 2009, in St. Vincent Church, Nazareth, Ky., followed by burial in Nazareth Cemetery.

Mary Benedict Lepovsky, SCN

Mary Benedict Lepovsky, SCN, 83, a native of Unity, Pa., died January 17, 2009, in Lourdes Hall at St. Louise Convent in North Hills, Pittsburgh, Pa. Sister Mary Benedict had been in religious life for 63 years.

Sister Benedict was a certified LPN in Pennsylvania and Alabama. She served in several Vincentian Health facilities in Pittsburgh and Monett, Missouri for 13 years. She also taught religion at Holy Spirit Parish, Fayette County and one year at St. Helen Parish, East Pittsburgh, Pa. Sister Benedict then served as an LPN in St. Jude Hospital and St. Jude Exceptional Children’s Center in Montgomery, Ala., Holy Ghost Mission, Marbury, Ala., and Villa de Marillac Nursing Home in Stanton Heights, Pittsburgh, Pa., for 19 years. She returned to the Motherhouse in 1983 to serve as a night nurse for the sick Sisters. She then taught religion to children in St. Thomas Parish, Clarksville, Pa., for one year and completed her active ministry at the Vincentian Day Care where she served for 2 years until her retirement in 1991. During her retirement, Sister Benedict enjoyed being a Sister visitor at the Vincentian Personal Care facility at the Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pa., up until the last few years of her life.

Sister Benedict is survived by two sisters: Theresa Buratty, Breezewood, Pa., and Frances Blattner, Calif.; two brothers: Robert Lepovsky, Pittsburgh, Pa. and Albert Lepovsky, Lucinda, Pa., and many nieces and nephews.

M. Amanda Bercik, SCN

M. Amanda Bercik, SCN, 93, a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Ky., died at on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at Vincentian Home, North Hills, Pittsburgh, Pa. Sister was in the 79th year of her religious life.

Sister Amanda entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Dominic Parish, Donora, Pa., on September 28, 1930. She spent her religious life in domestic service to her Sisters in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Fonthill, Canada and Struthers, Ohio. Sister joined the prayer ministry group at the St. Louise Convent in 1995 in which she participated until December 2007 when she became a resident at Vincentian Home.

Sister Amanda is survived by many devoted nieces and nephews.