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.

Carolyn Thomas, SCN

Carolyn Thomas, SCN, 77, a native of Fancy Farm, Ky., died at Nazareth Home, on September 20, 2013.  She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 39 years.
                                                       
Sister Carolyn served in elementary and college education; and in parish ministry in Kentucky, New York, Ohio and Washington.
             
In Louisville, Sister served at St. Ignatius Parish, at Community Catholic School, and at Spalding College, now Spalding University.

Survivors include two brothers: James W. Thomas of Mayfield, Ky., and Julian B. Thomas of Salvisa, Ky., two sisters: Jane Concinia and Bernadette Hughes, both of Scottsdale, Ariz., and her religious community.  

John Edith O'Meara, SCN

 

John Edith O’Meara, SCN, 91, a native of Beverly, Mass., died at Nazareth Home on August 26, 2013.  She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 64 years.

 

Sister John Edith served in elementary education as teacher and librarian in Massachusetts and Maryland for 49 years. In Kentucky, Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer at Russell Hall and Nazareth Motherhouse from 2000 until she recently became a resident at Nazareth Home.

 

Survivors include a sister, Edith Shirley Brian of Mt. Morris, NY, a brother, Robert O’Meara of Lynn, Massachusetts and her religious community.      

Mary Jo Pfefferman, SCN

Mary Jo Pfefferman, SCN, 96, a native of Alexandria, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on Sunday, July 28, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for almost 60 years.

Sister Mary Jo served in health care, child care and community service in Kentucky and Tennessee during her active ministry. In Louisville, Sister served at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Home in child care and at Nazareth Home as nurse assistant and driver. Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer during her residency at Nazareth Home from April 2011 until her death.

Survivors include a sister, Florence Holmes of Newport, Ky., several devoted nieces and her religious community.

Alice Marita Kern, SCN

Alice Marita Kern, SCN, 89, a native of Bellevue, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on June 29, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 69 years.

Sister Alice Marita served in elementary education as both teacher and principal in Kentucky and Massachusetts for 37 years. In Louisville, Sister taught at St. Vincent Orphanage, St. Frances of Rome and Blessed Sacrament Schools.  Sister Alice Marita served as principal at St. Brigid School from 1962-65.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, and her religious community.