Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Obituaries

Rose Riley, SCN

2013-05-07T16:15:00.000-04:00

Rose Riley, SCN, formerly Sister Rose Bernard Riley, 75, a native of Bardstown, Ky., died at Carrico Hall, Nazareth, on May 6, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 57 years.

Sister Rose served in elementary and secondary education as teacher and principal in Kentucky and Indiana for 49 years. In Louisville, Sister served at St. Cecilia and St. Agnes Schools as teacher. She also served at Presentation Academy as teacher and Assistant Principal and as Principal of St. Thomas More School. Sister Rose served as part of the Coordinating Team at St. Louise Convent, Pittsburgh, Pa., from 2009-2013.

Survivors include two sisters, Mary B. Hall of Lexington, Ky., and Marie Flood of Columbia, Tenn.; four brothers, John and Joseph Riley of Bowling Green, Ky.,; Robert Riley of Cox’s Creek, Ky., and Bernard Riley of Nashville, Tenn. Sister is also survived by her religious community.

Irene Agnes Benyak, SCN

2013-04-08T11:37:00.001-04:00

Irene Agnes Benyak, SCN, died on April 5, 2013, at St. Louise Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa., surrounded by her sisters in Community. Sister Irene Agnes entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity on February 2, 1951, from Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Monessen, Pa., and served as a sister for 62 years. Sister Irene Agnes attended Mt. Mercy College, now Carlow University and graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Sister Irene ministered for 32 years as a teacher in Elementary Schools in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Pa., Greensburg, Pa., and Cape Girardeau, Mo. She then spent 30 years residing in McKeesport, Pa., where she worked as a pastoral associate and CCD coordinator for the four parishes which were merged into what is now known as Corpus Christi Parish in McKeesport, Pa.

She is survived by her sister, Mary B. Snyder, and brother, John R. Benyak and his wife, Joan, by nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews and many friends. She is also survived by her religious community.

Caroline Maria Clarke, SCN

2013-03-06T14:56:00.002-05:00

Caroline Maria Clarke, SCN, 88, a native of Hollywood, Md., died at Nazareth Home on March 3, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 72 years.

Sister Caroline Maria served in community service, child care, health care and care of the elderly in Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. In Louisville, Sister had been a resident at Nazareth Home since October, 2009.

Survivors include three sisters, Gertrude Norris and Catherine Clarke of Hollywood, Md., and Mary Alwilda Wathen of Leonardtown, Md.; one brother, Edward “Bouncer” Clarke of Hollywood, Md.; and her religious community.

Ann Leo Wilson, SCN

2013-02-22T10:30:00.002-05:00

Ann Leo Wilson, SCN, 96, a native of Fancy Farm, Ky., died at Carrico Hall, Nazareth, Ky., on Friday, February 22, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for78 years.

Sister Ann Leo served in community service and health care in Kentucky and Tennessee as Local Superior, Dietary Supervisor and LPN for 60 years. In Louisville, Sister served at Our Lady of Peace Hospital as Central Kitchen Supervisor from 1950-65; at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital as Dietary Dept. Supervisor from 1965-66 and in the Sister Visitor Program from 1966-67. Sister Ann Leo served at various facilities as an LPN in health care from 1970-80. She served in community service in SCN facilities in Louisville from 1980-2002.

Survivors include a brother, Paul Wilson of Fancy Farm, Ky., nieces and nephews, and her religious community.

Ruth Marie McGaughran, SCN

2013-02-13T09:30:00.003-05:00

Ruth Marie McGaughran, SCN, 102, a native of Memphis, Tenn., died at Carrico Hall, Nazareth, Ky., on February 9, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 82 years.

Sister Ruth Marie served in Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Ohio in elementary, secondary and collegiate education for 40 years. In Louisville, Sister served at Presentation Academy from 1953 - 1965. Sister also served as Pastoral Visitor in St. Raphael Parish from 1972-73.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, and her religious community.

Juanita Marie Wiley, SCN

2013-01-28T09:05:00.002-05:00

Juanita Marie Wiley, SCN, formerly Sister Agnes Charles Wiley, 81, a native of Newport News, Va., died at Nazareth Home on January 25, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 64 years.

Sister Juanita Marie served in elementary, secondary and adult education in Maryland, Kentucky, Louisiana and Virginia as teacher for 41 years. In Kentucky, Sister served at St. Gabriel School, Fern Creek from 1962-65. In later years, Sister also served in personal family ministry.

Survivors include cousins and her religious community.

Lucille Massey, SCN

2013-01-10T09:31:00.003-05:00

Lucille Massey, SCN, formerly Sister Teresa George Massey, 100, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on January 9 , 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 81 years.

Sister Lucille served in elementary education as both teacher and supervisor for 39 years. In Louisville, Sister served as teacher of Grade I at St. Cecilia School; as supervisor of Elementary Schools for the Archdiocese; as instructor in the Education Department of Nazareth College, now Spalding University and as resident at Nazareth Home.

Survivors include a nephew, John Baker, and her religious community.

Jeanne Mary Wathen, SCN

2013-01-08T16:47:00.003-05:00

Jeanne Mary Wathen, SCN, 89, a native of Leonardtown, Md., died at Nazareth Home on January 8, 2013. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 69 years.

Sister Jeanne Mary served in elementary and secondary education as both teacher and principal for 32 years in Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio. In Louisville, Sister taught at St. Pius X, St. Cecilia and St. Lawrence Schools. Sister later served in parish ministry and community service.

Survivors include a sister and two brothers, Adrienne and Stephen Wathen of Leonardtown, Md.; Paul Wathen of College Park, Md., and her religious community.

M. Beatrice Brunner, SCN

2013-01-05T16:05:00.000-05:00

M. Beatrice Brunner, SCN, 86, died at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pa., on January 5, 2013. Sister had been a woman religious for 67 years.

Sister Beatrice was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Perryville, Pa. Sister served in both elementary and secondary education for 20 years in the dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pa.; and Mobile and Birmingham, Ala.

In 1967, Sister Beatrice was assigned to Fonthill, Ontario, Canada, where she taught Science at Notre Dame High School for 24 years. After retiring from teaching, she continued her ministry of service as Pastoral Minister to the people of Star of the Sea Parish in St. Catharine, Ontario until 2009. Sister Beatrice then returned to Pittsburgh where she was part of the Sisters’ Prayer Ministry.

She is survived by her sisters Rose and Loretta; her brothers, Raymond and Andrew, and her Sisters in community.

Teresa Catharine Sullivan, SCN

2012-12-14T13:06:00.000-05:00

Teresa Catharine Sullivan, SCN, 86, a native of Ludlow, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on December 14, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 66 years.

Sister Teresa Catharine served in elementary education in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana for 48 years. In Louisville, Sister served from 1991-96 in elementary education as part-time teacher at St. Aloysius School and in part-time After School Child Care at St. James School. From 1996 -2012 Sister Teresa Catharine volunteered at St. Joseph Child Development Center.

Survivors include two brothers, John L. Sullivan of Ludlow, Ky., and Joseph M. Sullivan of Edgewood, Ky.; and two sisters, Rose Sullivan, SCN, of Nazareth, Ky., and Mary Dominic Sullivan, OSB, of Covington, Ky.

Helen Gertrude Fontaine, SCN

2012-12-11T21:26:00.000-05:00

Helen Gertrude Fontaine, SCN, 101, born in Lewiston, Maine, died in Carrico Hall, Nazareth, Ky., on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 83 years.

Sister Helen Gertrude served in education on the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Alabama and Virginia for 50 years. In Louisville, Sister served at Sacred Heart School from 1932-37 and at Catherine Spalding College, now Spalding University from 1962-65.

Survivors include former students and her religious community.

Eunice Ann Arnold, SCN

2012-11-20T12:23:00.000-05:00

Eunice Ann Arnold, SCN, 87, a native of Memphis, Tenn., died at Nazareth Home on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 67 years.

Sister Eunice Ann served in community service and elementary education in Kentucky and Maryland for 23 years. She also served in retreat ministry at Camp Maria Retreat Center in Maryland for 27 years. Sister resided at the Motherhouse for the past 15 years and moved to Nazareth Home in July 2012.

Survivors include a sister, Jean Sigman, and a brother, Frederick E. Arnold, both of Memphis, Tenn., and her religious community.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Vincent Church, with burial in Nazareth Cemetery.

Sheila Ann Madden, SCN

2012-11-19T12:21:00.000-05:00

Sheila Ann Madden, SCN, 90, a native of Louisville, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on Monday, November 19, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 71 years.

Sister Sheila Ann served in Kentucky and Tennessee in elementary, secondary and collegiate education as teacher, principal, diocesan supervisor and college registrar for 41 years. In Louisville, Sister served as principal of Presentation Academy from 1967-73, as college registrar at Spalding University from 1973-88, and in health ministry at Our Lady of Peace Hospital from 1988-96.

Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Berger of Notre Dame, Ind., and her religious community.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, November 24, 2012, in St. Vincent Church, Nazareth, Ky., at 10:30 a.m., followed by burial in Nazareth Cemetery.

Anne Kremenik, SCN

2012-11-16T12:18:00.000-05:00

Anne Kremenik, SCN, 90, a native of Blairsville, Pa., died at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, on Friday, November 16, 2012. Sister was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Cecilia Buco Kremenik, who were immigrants from Slovakia.

Sister Anne served as Sister Loyola in the apostolate of education on both the elementary and secondary levels throughout Pennsylvania, including Vincentian Academy in Pittsburgh. Sister served as General Superior of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from 1971-1979.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, November 19, 2012, in St. Louise Convent Chapel, followed by burial in St. Louise Convent Cemetery.

Mary Stella Stofcik, SCN

2012-10-18T12:26:00.002-04:00

Mary Stella Stofcik, SCN, 93, died at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pa, on Wednesday, October 17. She was in the 79th year of her religious life.

Sister Stella was born March 29, 1919, in Webster, Pa. She grew up on a farm and remembers feeding the chickens and delivering bottles of milk with her brothers as they walked each day to St. Dominic School in Donora.

In 1933, Sister entered the convent of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity. (In 2008 the Vincentian Sisters merged with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth).

Her first assignment, in 1936, was to teach second grade in Southside. Sister Stella taught for 40 years in missions throughout Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Canada. Sister played the organ in many parishes and enjoyed working with both the children’s and adult choirs.

In 1991 Sister began a new ministry as librarian at Mon Valley High School in Donora for 14 years and then for 4 years at Vincentian High School. Yet another assignment began in 1991 to serve as a driver at the “Motherhouse” and work in the host room. She did this for 10 years and then began her retirement in 2001.

Interacting with others, working any kind of word puzzle, reading the newspaper, going out for rides, watching westerns on TV, and following sports teams were things Sister enjoyed. Her all-time favorite was having ice cream! She had a good sense of humor, a quick wit, and was a deeply prayerful woman.

Although Sister Stella exhibited some early signs of dementia, she never failed to be exceptionally hospitable. Sister said she “tries to take things in stride and trust in God”. She also said that “we work like hell to get to heaven”. She could hardly wait for her time in heaven “so I can go flying around”. Perhaps, as she “flies by”, she will take your special prayers to the throne of God!

Mary Vincent O’Neill, SCN

2012-10-08T09:24:00.000-04:00

Mary Vincent O’Neill, SCN, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, died peacefully October 8, 2012 at the age of 87. She served God and the Church for 67 years as an educator and in later years as an LPN in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Mobile, Alabama.

Sister was pre-deceased by parents Hugh and Teresa (Sheehan) and by her sister Teresa Bohlin. She is survived by sisters Eugenia Lane, Margaret Gilliard, and Catherine O’Neill and brothers Father Hugh O’Neill and Daniel O’Neill, many nieces, nephews and their families, friends, and all her Sisters of the SCN Community.

Margaret Spalding Wathen, SCN

2012-09-06T14:59:00.001-04:00

Margaret Spalding Wathen, SCN, 82, a native of Owensboro, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on September 6, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 61 years.

Sister Margaret Spalding served in elementary education as teacher and principal in Kentucky and Ohio; as director of Nazareth Campus Service; as choir director at St. Stephen Cathedral Parish, Owensboro, Ky., in health ministry at Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga, Tenn.; as Volunteer in the Western Province Office and in family ministry.

In Louisville, Sister served at St. Matthias and at Holy Family Schools.

Survivors include four brothers, Robert Louis Wathen of Orlando, Fla.; John Hamilton Wathen, Sr. of Louisville, Ky.; Samuel Thomas and William Patrick Wathen of Hardin, Ky.; one sister, Margaret Bauer of Norman, Okla.; and her religious community.

Mary Kevin Egan, SCN

2012-09-05T16:13:00.000-04:00

Mary Kevin Egan, SCN, 89, a native of Louisville, Ky., died at Carrico Hall, Nazareth, on September 4, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 63 years.

During the past 60 years Sister Mary Kevin served in elementary education in Owensboro, Ky., as Postmaster at Nazareth, Ky.; in Provincial Administration at the Motherhouse; in the admitting office at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington, and at the Guest House, Nazareth, Ky. In Louisville, Sister served in health care at Nazareth Home Business Office from 1975-77 and in the Provincial Office from 1980-86.

Survivors include nieces, nephews and her religious community.

Mary Grace Yesko, SCN

2012-09-03T11:53:00.000-04:00

Mary Grace Yesko, SCN, died peacefully at Vincentian Home on September 3, 2012, at the age of 91. She had been a sister for 77 years.

Sister Mary Grace was born in Rankin, Pa., and entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Barnabas parish, Swissvale. She received a Master of Education degree from Duquesne University and taught for 22 years in elementary schools throughout the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Youngstown, Ohio and Mobile, Alabama.

When Sister Mary Grace was assigned to work in Canada, she studied at York University in Toronto and received a Bachelor of Arts in Administration as well as a principal’s certification. During her 23 years in Canada, she served as teacher and principal in four different schools in Scarborough, Ontario.
When Sister Mary Grace reached the mandatory retirement age in Canada, she returned to Pittsburgh and ministered in social service, pastoral care, medical records, driving and switchboard. For the past 10 years, she has been a part of the prayer ministry at Vincentian Home.

Sister endeared herself to others by her gentle ways and inspired them with fervent desire “to be with God for ever and ever.”

Sister Mary Grace was predeceased by her parents Anna and Andrew. She is survived by her sister-in-law Patricia Yesko, nephew Frank Yesko, niece Lorraine Grace Whited, grandniece Francine and all her sisters in Community.

Ellen Maria Ballew, SCN

2012-07-30T23:08:00.000-04:00

Ellen Maria Ballew, SCN, 90, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., died at Nazareth Home on July 30, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 73 years.

Sister Ellen Maria served in both elementary and secondary education as teacher and principal throughout the United States and in Gaya, India for 29 years. In Louisville, Sister served at Resurrection School and at Presentation Academy. She also served in health care in San José. Calif., and as a volunteer with the blind in West Roxbury, Mass.

Survivors include a sister, Cornelia M. Grenier of Roseville, Calif., and her religious community.

Mary De Sales Kolhoven, SCN

2012-07-29T23:53:00.000-04:00

Mary De Sales Kolhoven, SCN, 75, a native of Newport, Ky., died at Nazareth Home on July 29, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 56 years.

Sister Mary De Sales served in health care as Purchasing Agent and Registered Nurse in Kentucky, Arkansas, Ohio and Tennessee for 48 years. In Louisville, Sister served at St. Joseph Infirmary from 1963-66 and again from 1967-71. In retirement, Sister served in the apostolate of prayer.

Survivors include a nephew and his wife, Bob and Jeana Wahlbrink of Cincinnati, Ohio and the members of her religious community.

Angeline Driscoll, SCN

2012-07-25T23:23:00.000-04:00

Angeline Driscoll, SCN, 91, a native of Roanoke, Va., died at Nazareth Home on July 25, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 69 years.

Sister Angeline served in elementary education, as both teacher and principal in Kentucky for 32 years. In Louisville, Sister taught primary grades at St. Frances of Rome School from 1971-75. She also served in health care at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington, Ky., from 1975-1991. In retirement, Sister Angeline served as a volunteer and in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, and her religious community.

Bridget Cottle, SCN

2012-06-12T07:53:00.002-04:00

Bridget Cottle, SCN, 83, a native of Middletown, Ohio, died at Nazareth Home on June 10, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 63 years.

Sister Bridget served in elementary education, as both teacher and principal for 25 years. In later years, she served in religious education; pastoral ministry; community and volunteer services. In Louisville, Sister served at Most Blessed Sacrament from March until August 1950, at St. Matthias School from 1955 until 1959, and at Holy Name School from 1960 until 1961.

Survivors include nieces, nephews, a devoted cousin, Msgr. Paul Metzger of Middletown, Ohio, and her religious community.

Margaret Dillier, SCN

2012-05-23T22:17:00.000-04:00

Margaret Dillier, SCN, formerly Sister Mary Matthias Dillier, 95, a native of Scranton, Ark., died at Nazareth Home on May 23, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 70 years.

Sister Margaret served in ministry in the United States and Belize, Central America for 53 years. In the Louisville area, Sister served at both St. Vincent Orphanage and at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. Sister Margaret also engaged in Social Work in Louisville’s West End.

Survivors include a sister, Marie Jones of Jonesboro, Ark., a brother, Justin Dillier of Heber Springs, Ark., nieces and nephews, and her religious community.

Christine Ellis, SCN

2012-05-02T15:18:00.001-04:00

Christine Ellis, SCN, 91, a native of Roanoke, Va., died at Nazareth Home on May 2, 2012. She had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 72 years.

Sister Christine served in childcare, elementary education and community service for 60 years throughout the United States. In Louisville, Sister served at St. Augustine, St. Michael, St. Frances of Rome and St. Brigid Schools. Sister Christine also served at Maria Hall as resident assistant from 1976-85 and in Community Service at Maria Hall and Nazareth Home from 1985-2001. Sister Christine became a resident at Nazareth Home in 2005.

Survivors include four sisters: Josephine Ellis, Cecilia Carter, Theresa Clements and Dorothy Willis, all of Roanoke, Va.; two brothers, Joseph Ellis of Marion, Va., and George Ellis of Roanoke, Va., and her religious community.