Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati / In Memoriam

In Memoriam

S. Karen Vanoli

S. Karen Vanoli died June 24, 2010, at the age of 94 in Mother Margaret Hall. S. Karen entered the Congregation in 1948 and was a Sister of Charity for 61 years serving in education and medical assistance in the dioceses of Toledo, Ohio, Denver, Colo., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Santa Fe, N.M.

Sister ministered as intermediate teacher at St. Rose in Lima, Ohio, from 1950 until 1951 when she moved west to serve as a teacher in the Margery Reed Day Care facility in Denver, Colo. In 1952, S. Karen returned to Cincinnati to serve as a licensed practical nurse in the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati nursing facility, Mother Margaret Hall, where she ministered for the next six years.

From 1958 until 1966, Sister worked as an EEG technician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and served in the same capacity at St. Joseph Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., from 1966 until 1971 and again from 1981 until 1985 in medical records. Returning to Cincinnati in 1971, Sister joined Good Samaritan Hospital as a medical records assistant for the next ten years.

In 1985, S. Karen retired and returned to Ohio to care for her ill sister, Catherine, in Cleveland. She moved to the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse at Mount St. Joseph, Ohio, in 1991. She enjoyed crafts and visiting with Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility.

For rememberences of S. Karen, click here.

S. Mary Michele Fischer

S. Mary Michele Fischer died June 20, 2010, at the age of 74 in Mother Margaret Hall. S. Mary Michele earned the Bachelor of Arts in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1966, the Master of Arts in English from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo., in 1974, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University, New Orleans, La., in 1994.

She entered the Congregation in 1955 and was a Sister of Charity for 55 years serving in education and administration. S. “Mitch,” as she was known throughout the Community, began her teaching ministry in the primary grades at the Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak, Mich., from 1958 until 1964. She served as junior high school teacher at the following schools: St. Charles, Kettering, Ohio, (1964-’66); St. Helen, Saginaw, Mich., (1966-’67); Holy Angels, Sidney, Ohio, (1967-’69); Holy Redeemer, Kensington, Md., (1969-’70); St. Mary, Port Huron, Mich., (1970-’71); and St. Bernard, Springfield, Ohio, (1974-’78). S. Mitch taught high school English at Catholic Central in Springfield, Ohio, from 1971 until 1974.

S. Mitch moved west in August 1978 to work as secretary at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver, Colo., for one year. A sabbatical from 1979 until 1980 allowed S. Mitch to train for ministry work in the area of spiritual direction. In the fall of 1980, Sister began ministering as secondary teacher at Machebeuf until 1986, at which time she became program director for the Julie Penrose Retreat Center in Colorado Springs where she served for the next seven years.

S. Mitch undertook pastoral studies in Colorado Springs full time from 1992 until 1994. She moved to Las Vegas, Nev., in 1994 to serve as the coordinator and administrator of development at Pace e Bene (“peace and good”) Center for Nonviolence for the next four years.

In 2000, S. Mitch began working with the Leadership and Community Development Project sponsored by the Vincentian Congregation of Mission in conjunction with DePaul University. In the Chapter process of 2003, Sister was elected to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Leadership Council. She was re-elected in 2007.

S. Mitch’s heart was centered in a variety of initiatives. For many years she protested at the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Ga., standing in solidarity with thousands of others in non-violent opposition to the United States’ involvement in training Central American soldiers in techniques for torture and killing. Sister worked with the Nevada Desert Experience to eliminate nuclear testing and stockpiling in the 1990s; she was a board member of Contemplative Outreach of Colorado Springs. She studied holistic health care, contemplative dimensions of gospel living, spirituality, the new cosmology, psychology, ecology and the arts. She enjoyed camping, hiking, skiing, reading and many artistic endeavors.

For rememberences of S. Mitch, click here.

S. Christine Marie Stahl

S. Christine Marie Stahl died May 29, 2010, at the age of 85 in Mother Margaret Hall. S. Christine Marie earned the Bachelor of Science in education from the Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati, in 1951, the Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, in 1956 and a master’s degree in English from Creighton University, Omaha, Neb., in 1971. She entered the Congregation in 1943 and was a Sister of Charity for 67 years.

S. Christine Marie began teaching intermediate grades in 1945 at Resurrection School in Cincinnati. She ministered in the same capacity at the following schools: St. Mary (Hyde Park), Cincinnati (1946-’54); St. John the Baptist, Chillum, Md., (1954-’56); Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Birmingham, Mich., (1956-’58); Holy Redeemer, Kensington, Md., (1958-’61). Sister taught junior high school students at St. Bernard, Springfield, Ohio, (1961-’62) and St. Charles, Lima, Ohio, (1962-’64). As a high school English teacher, S. Christine Marie served at Cathedral High School, Denver, Colo., (1964-’71) and at Shrine Diocesan in Royal Oak, Mich., (1971-’72).

Sister served administration needs at Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colo., from 1972 until March 1979 when she transitioned to El Pomar Renewal Center, also in Colorado Springs, to work as secretary until 1982. In 1983, S. Christine Marie became assistant administrator for the next two years at Maryel Manor, an independent living facility for the disabled in Bloomfield, Colo.

S. Christine Marie served at Marian Plaza, a home for the elderly in Denver, in clerical and pastoral ministry from 1985 until 1993. She worked part-time for the Archdiocesan Office of Housing in Denver from 1993 until 2007 when she retired to Cathedral Plaza, a Denver retirement and independent living facility. S. Christine Marie returned to the Motherhouse to serve in the Ministry of Prayer in 2007.

For rememberences of S. Christine Marie, click here.

S. Helen Seton Graves

S. Helen Seton Graves died May 3, 2010, at the age of 79 in Mother Margaret Hall. S. Helen Seton earned the Bachelor of Science in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati. She entered the Congregation in 1948 and was a Sister of Charity for 61 years.

S. Helen Seton began her 33 years in education as a primary teacher at St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati. Sister moved west in 1955, serving at St. Patrick, Pueblo, Colo., (1955-’59); St. Francis Xavier, Pueblo (1959-’60); Holy Trinity, Trinidad, Colo., (1960-’62 and 1972-’73); Sacred Heart, Denver, Colo., (1962-’66); St. Francis Xavier, Albuquerque, N.M., (1966-’72 and 1973-’78) and St. Mary, Walsenburg, Colo., (1978-’81).

She ministered in medical records for St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo from January until August 1978 and again from 1981 until 1983. She served in the same capacity at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colo., from 1983 until 1986.

S. Helen Seton returned to Cincinnati in 1986 and resumed teaching elementary students at St. Francis Seraph and then Gressle School in Norwood, Ohio. In 1990, Sister enrolled in the clinical pastoral education program at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati, and began serving in pastoral care at Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility in 1996. S. Helen Seton retired to the Ministry of Prayer in 1998.

S. Carol Nealon

S. Carol Nealon (formerly S. Joseph Helen) died Friday, April 2, 2010, at the age of 72 in Mother Margaret Hall. S. Carol earned the Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Dayton, Ohio, in 1959 and the master’s in education from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1976. S. Carol entered the Congregation in 1961 and was a Sister of Charity for 48 years, serving in education exclusively in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

   S. Carol began teaching the primary grades in 1964 at St. Lawrence School in Cincinnati. From 1967 until 1975, she served at Holy Cross School, also in Cincinnati. For the next 30-plus years, S. Carol ministered at St. Charles Borromeo School in Kettering, Ohio. Sister introduced the concept of “job sharing” at St. Charles in order to accommodate health-care obligations. She taught a third grade class of 25 students with the late S. Beverly Bereda. The Sisters shared morning and afternoon classes, giving each time to take care of personal health needs. During those years, S. Carol also cared for her elderly mother, Helen.

   In 2003, the Miami Valley Catholic Education Council at the 14th annual Teacher Recognition Banquet in Kettering recognized Sister for 40 years of commitment and service.

   In her retirement, S. Carol enjoyed exercise, reading, walking, and creating rugs using the latch hook technique.

S. Patricia Marie Donnelly

S. Patricia Marie Donnelly died March 6, 2010, at the age of 87 in Mother Margaret Hall. S. Patricia Marie earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, in 1955. She received the master’s degree in administration from Xavier University, Cincinnati, in 1962. Sister entered the Congregation in 1941 and was a Sister of Charity for 69 years.

S. Patricia Marie began her education ministry in 1942 as a primary teacher at St. Sebastian School, Chicago, Ill., where she served for 10 years. From 1952 until 1956, Sister taught elementary students at St. Saviour in Rossmoyne, Ohio. She served as elementary principal at St. Bernadette, Amelia, Ohio, from 1956 until 1961.

In 1961, S. Patricia Marie moved to Royal Oak, Mich., to serve as elementary principal at the Shrine of the Little Flower, where she ministered for the next 31 years. During her ministry, Sister was nominated from among 200 principals for the Detroit, Mich., archdiocesan National Distinguished Principals’ Award.

In 1992, Sister assumed the role of director of religious education at St. Raphael parish in Garden City, Mich. During her last year at St. Raphael’s, she volunteered with RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

S. Marie Annette Lonskey

S. Marie Annette Lonskey died March 6, 2010, at the age of 93 in Mother Margaret Hall. S. Marie Annette earned the Bachelor of Science in education from the Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati, in 1941; the Bachelor of Arts in general science from the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, in 1952; and a master’s degree in biology from Creighton University, Omaha, Neb., in 1972. S. Marie Annette entered the Congregation in 1934 and was a Sister of Charity for
                            75 years.

During her long ministry in education, S. Marie Annette served many schools as a junior high school teacher and secondary teacher, including Sacred Heart, Denver, Colo., (1946-’50); Holy Trinity, Middletown, Ohio, (1950-’53); St. William, Cincinnati (1953-’54); Little Flower, Cincinnati (1954-’55); Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak, Mich., (1956-’60); San Felipe, Albuquerque, N.M., (1960-’63); Trinidad Catholic, Trinidad, Colo., (1963-’70); Shrine Diocesan, Royal Oak, Mich., (1970-’71); St. Mary, Albuquerque, N.M., (1971-’73); and Pauline Memorial Elementary, Colorado Springs, Colo., (1973-’74). Sister also ministered as elementary principal at St. Rose, Cincinnati, from 1955-’56.

In 1974, S. Annette exchanged the classroom for the library serving at St. Michael High School, Santa Fe, N.M., (1974-’77) as librarian assistant for the secondary grades and in the same capacity at Benet Hill Academy, Colorado Springs, from 1977-’79. She served as parish secretary at St. Therese, Aurora, Colo., from 1979-’80, returning to library duties at Bishop Machebeuf High School, Denver, from 1980-’85.

From 1985 until 2004, S. Marie Annette volunteered at Francis Heights-Clare Gardens Apartments in Denver as Eucharistic minister; she also visited residents and helped with administrative tasks. In addition, Sister volunteered with Denver S.E.T. services to nursing homes. Sister retired to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Motherhouse to serve in the Ministry of Prayer in 2004.

Associate Margaret Sziich

Associate Margaret Sziich was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and taught by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity while attending parochial school. Her sister, S. Mary Hugoline, was a Vincentian and from an early age Margaret had a comfortable familiarity with women religious. Margaret completed high school, business school and several college courses.

   When Margaret was 30 years old, she moved to Denver, Colo., commuting weekends to Colorado Springs to visit her parents. In 1955, she made a permanent move to Colorado Springs to care for her ailing mother. There she worked as a personnel director for a bank where she remained for 20 years.

   Always involved with the church, Margaret began volunteer work for the Sisters of Charity El Pomar Retreat Center in Colorado Springs. She made her first personal retreat in 1951 and soon after became involved with the Sisters and the retreat league, handling their news and publicity. She also served as president of the league.

While handling public relations for the bank, Margaret began her studies in handwriting analysis, which she studied for more than 30 years. She used it as a tool to understand people’s personalities and to match their skills with an appropriate job. She taught classes and gave lectures to civic, military and business organizations as well as the Sisters at Penrose Hospital.

   Margaret made her commitment as an Associate in Mission Jan. 9, 2000, stating, “This is the icing on the cake because, after all, I had been doing my associate work as a volunteer for the Sisters for so many years I felt I was already a part of their family.”

   Margaret’s faith deepened through her association with the Sisters at Penrose, especially S. Rose Virginia Brown, S. Joan Crocker, S. Mary Jean Fields, S. Rosalie Riggio and S. Mary Eudora Corbin. “I was touched by their spirituality and commitment and especially with how they prepared for the seasonal changes in the church,” she once said.

   Margaret died Feb. 22, 2010, in Denver, two weeks before her 92^nd birthday.

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