educator
Sister of Charity Virginine Graham, 92, died Dec. 23 at Caritas Center, Dubuque, Iowa.
A Chicago native, she attended St. Vincents grade school and Immaculata High School before entering the Sisters of Charity in 1930. She professed first vows in 1933 and final vows in 1938.
Sister Virginine was an educator for 50 years. In Chicago, she taught at Our Lady Help of Christians, 1962-63; and St. Gilbert, Grayslake, 1970-84.
In retirement, she lived at St. Constance Convent, 1984-99. She also was a teacher and administrator in Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, California and Oklahoma.
Fr. Philip Nessinger
Served in chicago province
Carmelite Father Philip Nessinger, 80, died Dec. 13 in Lemont.
A Chicago native, he attended St. Margaret of Scotland Grade School before enrolling in Mt. Carmel Preparatory Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to study for the priesthood in the Carmelite Order.
He made his simple profession of vows in 1944 and his solemn vows in 1947. He was ordained a priest in Washington D.C. in 1950.
Following ordination, he was assigned to various parishes in several states. In the Chicago area, he served at St. Cyril; St. Paul the Apostle, Gurnee; and St. Matthew, Glendale Heights.
In 2000, Father Nessinger retired to Carmelite Carefree Village in Darien, Ill. In 2002 he moved to Mother Theresa Home in Lemont, where he died.
Sr. M. Adora Tito
Teacher/principal
School Sister of Notre Dame Mary Adora Tito died Nov. 14 at Resurrection Life Center in Chicago.
She was a School Sister of Notre Dame for 73 years. Her ministry devoted almost entirely to teaching primary grades, began at St. Margaret of Scotland School where she taught for 25 years.
She taught at other Chicago schools, including St. Michael; St. Benedict, Blue Island; Santa Maria/Santa Lucia; St. Constance; and St. Benedict.
Sr. Margaret Geiger
educator
School Sister of St. Francis Margaret Geiger, 96, died Dec. 4 at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Wis.
Born in Cudahy, Wis., she entered the School Sisters of St. Francis community in 1924 and made profession of vows in 1926.
Sister Margaret lived her religious ministry in education for 47 years, teaching at schools in Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Nicholas School, 1927-31; St. Philomena School, 1931-37; St. Matthias School, 1937-38; and taught and was principal at St. Joseph School in Summit, 1949-53.
Sister Margaret is survived by a nephew and two cousins.
Sr. Catherine Paganini
accountant
Daughter of Charity Sister Catherine Paganini, 88, died Dec. 14.
Born in Kent, Ohio, she entered the Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1946.
Sister Catherine ministered as an accountant for most of her life in the community.
She worked in several states. In the Chicago area, she served at Marillac High School in Northfield, from 1985-1993.
Sister Catherine is survived by two nieces and many great nieces and nephews.