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.