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The Catholic New World
Obituaries

Issue of Feb. 5, 2006

Fr. Roy C. Assenheimer

Missionary from chicago

Maryknoll Missioner Father Roy Charles Assenheimer, 67, a missionary in Japan, died Jan. 5 at his residence in Tokyo, Japan. Ordained June 12, 1965, Father Assenheimer studied the Japanese language and culture in Tokyo for two years before serving as assistant pastor in parishes on the island of Hokkaido (1967-72). He then served as pastor of Hokkaido’s Shizunai Church (1972-76).

From 1977 to the time of his death, Father Assenheimer had a pastoral healing ministry in Tokyo, along with working as national coordinator of several drug and alcohol rehabilitation organizations, which run more than 70 facilities in Japan.

Father Assenheimer was born in Philadelphia, but his family moved to Illinois. In Chicago he attended Our Lady of Peace School and then St. Barbara School, Brookfield, from 1949-’52.

Fr. Donald J. Hayes

Former President, St. Ignatius

Jesuit Father Donald J. Hayes, 80, died Dec. 20 in the Colombiere Center, Clarkston, Mich.

A philosophy teacher, he headed St. Ignatius College Prep, 1967-70 and was vice president of university ministry at Loyola University, from 1971-86. He brought Gonzaga Hall to Loyola, a student-operated retreat house on campus. In later life, Father Hayes was director of Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat Center in Barrington from 1987-99, and superior of its Jesuit community from 1987-92.

While spending a year at Franciscan Steubenville University, he was invited to serve as associate director of the Franciscan pre-theologate program from 2000-2003. He returned to Bellarmine as retreat director and then retired this winter due to poor health.

Father Hayes is survived by five brothers, Roger, Jr., Vincent, John, Walter and James; and a sister, Kathleen.

Br. Vincent (Louis) Webb

1st african-american brother

Divine Word Missionary Brother Vincent (Louis) Webb, 97, died Dec. 22 at Divine Word Residence, Techny. In 1937, he became the first African American brother to profess vows in the Society of the Divine Word.

Brother Webb was born and raised in Fordyce, Ark. He moved to Toledo, Ohio, at the age of 17 to work in a creosote plant. Brother Webb, who was raised in the Baptist faith, was first exposed to the Catholic faith when the owner of the creosote plant invited him to Mass. Soon after he was baptized, he decided he wanted to become a priest.

In 1928, Brother Webb applied and was accepted at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Bay St. Louis, then the only seminary accepting black men. However, because of his lack of formal education, he could not keep up with the demands of the courses. Brother Webb was accepted into the brothers’ program at St. Augustine Seminary. He served as a cook and in other positions in Canada, New Jersey and California.

Fr. Jeffry Fairfield

Teacher, chaplain

Carmelite Father Jeffry Leonard Fairfiel, 84, died Nov. 28 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine of St. Therese in Darien, Ill. in February.

He attended St. Felicitas School on Chicago’s South Side and entered the Carmelites at Mount Carmel Preparatory Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He made his simple profession of vows at the Carmelite Novitiate house in New Baltimore, Pa., Aug. 15, 1940, and his solemn vows at Whitefriars Hall in Washington D.C., Aug. 15, 1943.

Father Fairfield attended Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario where he received his bachelor’s degree. In 1949, he received a master’s degree in English Literature at the Catholic University of America. He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1946, in Chicago.

He taught at the Carmelite Junior Seminary, in Hamilton, Mass., for a total of 10 years between 1947 and 1962. In addition, he worked as a Carmelite missionary in Lima, Peru, and served in parishes in Texas, Florida and Illinois. He was also chaplain at two hospitals in New York.



Sr. Stella M. Benben

Educator, principal

Felician Sister Stella Marie Benben (Mary Ezechiela), 96, died Nov. 22. Born in Chicago, Sister Stella Marie entered the Felician Sisters in 1927 and professed her final vows in 1935. She taught at elementary and high schools in Illinois and also served as a high school principal.

She was the principal at Good Counsel High School from 1957-67. She also taught in the Archdiocese of Chicago at St. James (1927-37), Holy Rosary in North Chicago (1937-38), St. Joseph High School on South Hermitage (1940-57, 1967-71, 1972-79), and Good Counsel High School (1979-84)

Sr. Mary Beth Wright

Educator

Dominican Sister Mary Beth Wright, 93, died in Dubuque, Iowa, on Oct. 18. Sister Mary Beth made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1943, and her final profession in 1946.

She taught elementary school for 21 years and high school business for 11 years in Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Montana. She also served as provincial secretary for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Sabina (1943-44), and she taught business education at Visitation High School (1964-67).

Sr. Mary Monica Charrette

Educator

A funeral Mass was offered for Sister of St. Joseph Mary Monica Charrette on Jan. 17 at The Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel, LaGrange Park. Sister Charrette was an educator.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Margaret Mary, St. Anthony, St. Leonard in Berwyn, St. Attracta in Cicero and St. Mary in West Chicago.

Sr. Antoinette Kolanczyk

Teacher, nurse

Sister Antoinette Kolanczyk, SSJ-TOSF, 85, died Dec. 9 at St. Francis Hall Infirmary, Immaculata Convent, Bartlett. She had been a teacher at St. Fidelis School, Chicago. Later, as a registered nurse, she ministered at hospitals in Nebraska and Colorado.

Sister Antoinette is survived by her sister, Regina Szymanski. Memorials may be sent to the community’s retirement fund at Box 388129, Chicago, IL 60638.

Sr. Maris Mularkey

teacher

Sister Maris Mularkey died Nov. 25, 2005, at Provena McAuley Manor in Aurora. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 71 years.

Sister Maris, a native of Chicago, taught at St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge; Resurrection; St. Lucy; St. Xavier Academy; St. Mary, Lake Forest; Queen of Martyrs; St. Raymond, Mt. Prospect; Mary, Seat of Wisdom, Park Ridge; St. Catherine of Genoa; St. Rose of Lima; and St. Monica. She also worked as a volunteer at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago.



Sr. Margaret Hovanec

Educator, principal

School Sister of St. Francis Margaret Hovanec (Eymard), 95, died Dec. 5 at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Wis. Born in Czechoslovakia, she entered the School Sisters of St. Francis community June 12, 1930 and made profession of vows Aug. 13, 1935.

She was a teacher and principal in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Matthias School, 1945-47, and St. Clara School, 1947-50.

Sr. Marvel Glasford

former WWII US NAVY wave

Dominican Sister Marvel (Donald Mary) Glasford, 82, died Dec. 20 at the Dominican Life Center, Adrian, Mich.

Born in Detroit, Sister Marvel graduated from St. Mary High School in Flint, Mich., and received a bachelor’s degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.

In 1943 before entering the Adrian Dominican Congregation, Sister Marvel was a WAVE in the United States Navy. Her main work was decoding messages that came from Germany and Japan.

Sister Marvel ministered in education for 23 years. In Chicago she taught at St. Columbanus, 1955-57, and St. Denis, 1957-60.

She was chaplain at Alpena Hospital and Nursing Institution in Michigan for three years and at St. Joseph Hospital in Mt. Clemens for eight years. She volunteered her services at St. John Hospital in Springfield, Ill. from 1990-95.

Sr. Carol Marie Schommer

Educator, Principal

Franciscan Sister Carol Marie Schommer (M. Jane Frances), 62, died Jan. 2. She attended Our Lady of Grace Grammar School and Madonna High School. In 1961, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, making her perpetual vows in 1968.

She received a bachelor’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and her master’s degree in education from Loyola University. Sister Carol Marie was a teacher in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Pancratius. In 1970 she began teaching at her alma mater, Madonna High, and spent most of her years ministering there.

She also served as the chair of the science department, the state president and state judging chairperson of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science, and the treasurer of the Chicago Non-Public Schools Science Exposition.

In 1985, she was named the assistant principal of the school. From 1986-2001, she served as the principal of Madonna. It closed in June 2001.

Sister Carol Marie was also a member of the boards at several schools, hospitals and organizations.



Deacon Matthew Teolis

Class of 1975

Deacon Matthew Teolis died Dec. 31. He was a graduate of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s deaconate class of 1975. He ministered in the Diocese of Miami.

Sr. Marie Hamel

Died Dec. 13

A funeral Mass was held for Sister of St. Joseph Marie Hamel on Dec. 13 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel, LaGrange Park. Sister Hamel celebrated 63 years of religious life. She is survived by one brother and three sisters.

Patricia Ruth Donovan

Mother of LNC creator

Patricia Ruth Donovan died Dec. 28 at St. Vincent Hospital, Hollywood, Calif. She was 72 years old. Mrs. Donovan was the mother of Maripat Donovan, one of the creators of “Late Nite Catechism.” A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 4 at Holy Trinity Church in Westmont.

Mrs. Donovan grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended St. Ethelreda grammar school and Academy of Our Lady High School. She studied nursing, but got married and began a family before finishing her studies. When Mrs. Donovan became a single mother, she was forced to work several jobs to support her two daughters, Maripat and Cathy.

A few months ago, Mrs. Donovan decided to move to California to live with Maripat. Mrs. Donovan is also survived by three grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Sr. Anna Ruth Bethke

Music professor

BVM Sister Anna Ruth Bethke, 95, died Dec. 30 at Marian Hall, Dubuque, Iowa. Sr. Bethke was born in Greene, Iowa and graduated from Clarke College, Dubuque, before entering the BVM congregation in 1932. She professed first vows on March 19, 1935 and final vows on Aug. 15, 1940.

Sr. Bethke was a member of the music department faculty at Mundelein College from 1935-57 and Clarke College from 1957-83.

Sr. Agnes Jean Groff

Educator

BVM Sister Agnes Jean Groff, 74, died Dec. 23 at Caritas Center, Dubuque, Iowa. Born in Kansas City, Mo., Sr. Groff entered the BVM congregation in 1948. She professed first vows on March 19, 1951 and final vows on Aug. 15, 1956.

Sr. Groff taught in Chicago at St. Charles, 1951; St. Jerome, 1965-70; and St. Eulalia in Maywood, 1955-61. She also taught in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas.

Sr. Mary Clare McGrath

Educator

BVM Sister Mary Clare McGrath, 99, died Jan. 5 at Marian Hall, Dubuque, Iowa. Born in St. Louis, she entered the BVM congregation in 1926. She professed her first vows on March 19, 1938 and her final vows on Aug. 15, 1934.

Sister McGrath ministered in Chicago for 50 years. She taught music at St. Dorothy, 1928-30; St. Eulalia in Maywood, 1930-37; St. Odilo in Berwyn, 1949-55; St. Mary High School, 1955-58; St. Ferdinand, 1958-65; Immaculata High School, 1968-69; and was on the staff of Holy Name Cathedral High School, 1969-93. She also taught in Iowa and New York.

Sr. Mary Joanicia Smaron

Educator

Felician Sister Mary Joanicia Smaron, 89, died Dec. 24. Born in East Chicago, Ind., she entered the Felician Sisters in 1934 and professed her final vows in 1942. She ministered as a teacher in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Bronislava, 1936-39; St. Bruno, 1948-52; Sts. Peter and Paul, 1956-58; St. Joseph, 1958-60; St. Isidore in Blue Island, 1960-62; Our Lady of Ransom in Niles, 1962-64; St. Linus, 1968-78; and St. Turibius, 1978-97.

Sr. Raissa Metz

Educator

Dominican Sister Raissa Metz, 81, died Dec. 9 at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Wis. Born in Stetsonville, Wis., Sr. Metz made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican on Feb. 3, 1947, and her final profession on Aug. 5, 1950.

Sr. Metz was a grade school teacher for 49 years in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Giles in Oak Park, 1981-84, and St. Thomas More, 1993-97. From 1984 to 1985 she served in the Dominican Education Center Book Store at Sinsinawa.

Sr. Rosemary (St. James) Donovan

Educator

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Rosemary (St. James) Donovan, 89, died Dec. 21 at Mount Notre Dame Health Center, Reading, Ohio. Sr. Donov an was a native of Dayton, Ohio. She received her undergraduate degree from the Athenaeum of Ohio in 1947 and a masters degree in religious education from Loyola University in 1978.

Sr. Donovan was an educator for more than 55 years. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered for 19 years at St. John the Apostle in Villa Park.

Sr. Mary Michaeline Curran

Educator

Mercy Sister Mary Michaeline Curran, 94, died Dec. 29 at McAuley Convent, Aurora. Sr. Curran was a native of Chicago and ministered at schools in Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Cecilia, Holy Rosary, St. Catherine of Geneo, St. Joseph in Libertyville, St. Ann, All Saints, Holy Family in North Chicago, St. Gabriel, St. Rose of Lima, St. Malachy, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Ita, Little Flower, and Mother McAuley High School.

Sr. Eileen Marie (Susan) Ryan

Educator, principal

Dominican Sister Eileen Marie (Susan) Ryan, 99, died at the Dominican Life Center, Adrian, Mich. Sr. Ryan was born in Ireland. She received a bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University, Adrian, and a master’s degree in education from DePaul University.

She spent 64 years ministering in education in Michigan, Florida and Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as a teacher at St. Carthage, 1945-49; a principal at St. Kilian, 1949-55; a teacher at St. Nicholas of Tolentine, 1955-58; a teacher at St. Philip Neri, 1958-59; a principal at St. Denis, 1959-65; a teacher at St. Joseph in Homewood, 1965-68; and a secretary at Santa Maria Del Popolo in Mundelein, 1968-91.

Sr. Jean (Raphael) Smith

Educator

Dominican Sister Jean (Raphael) Smith, 79, died Dec. 12 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa. Sr. Smith was born in New York. She made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican on Aug. 5, 1948, and her final profession on Aug. 5, 1951.

She was a teacher and principal for 30 years at schools in Illinois, District of Columbia, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Jean taught at St. Barnabas, 1948-55, and at St. Vincent Ferrer in River Forest, 1955-60. She also served as the education department chair at Rosary College (now Dominican University), 1984-92.

Sr. Francis Marie Monica Heller

Educator, homemaker

School Sister of St. Francis Marie Monica (Arilda) Heller, 88, died Jan. 7 at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Wis. Born in Milo, Iowa, she entered into the School Sisters of St. Francis community in 1935 and made profession of vows in 1937.

Sr. Heller served as a homemaker, teacher, principal, parish minister and a volunteer in Illinois and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was a homemaker at St. Benedict Convent (1936-37), taught at St. Matthias School (1982-84), served as a parish minister and teacher at St. Matthias (1984-87), volunteered at Friends of Children (1987-93), and was a volunteer tutor at St. Priscilla Convent (1993-00).

Sr. Marie Christine Fraley

Educator

Dominican Sister Marie Christine (Agnes Marian) Fraley died Jan. 10 at the Dominican Life Center, Adrian, Mich. She was 91.

Sr. Fraley ministered in education for 39 years in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Florida. In the Archdiocese of Chicago she taught at St. Kilian (1930-31), St. Nicholas (1933-37) and St. Laurence (1945-47).

From 1971-77 she served at Weber Center in Environmental Services, and from 1977-89 she ministered in the Congregation Finance Office.

Sr. Louise Leary

Educator

Sister of Providence Louise (Jerome) Leary, 86, died Jan. 2 at Mother Theodore Hall, St. Mary of the Woods, Ind. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in 1939 and professed final vows in 1948. She served as an educator at schools in North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland and New Hampshire. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mel-Holy Ghost from 1949-54.





Sr. Rose Angele Spalding

Educator

Sister of Providence Rose Angele (Monica Elizabeth) Spalding, 92, died Jan. 8. Born in Loogootee, Ind., Sr. Spalding entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in 1933 and professed final vows in 1941. She ministered as a teacher and an administrator in Illinois, Indiana and District of Columbia. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Angela (1936), St. Francis Xavier in Wilmette (1947-54), Our Lady of Sorrows (1936-41), and St. Alexander in Palos Heights (1960-61).





Sr. Mary Hickey

Educator

Sister of Providence Mary Hickey, 96, died Jan. 12 at St. Mary of the Woods, Ind. Born in Chicago, Sr. Hickey entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in 1927 and professed final vows in 1935. She was an educator at schools in Illinois, Indiana and Maryland. In the Archdiocese of Chicago she taught at St. Columbkille (1933-34), St. Sylvester (1934-35; 1938-41), St. Mel (1941-43), St. Leo (1949-54) and St. Mark (1965-67). She also served as a principal at St. Mark from 1967-68.





Sr. Margaret Mary Dunn

College professor

Sacred Heart Sister Margaret Mary “Peggy” Dunn, former English professor at Barat College, died Jan. 14, at Kenwood Convent of the Sacred Heart, Albany, N.Y. She was 83.

Sr. Dunn taught English at Barat College, Lake Forest, from 1967-82. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, she was an advocate for African-American students at Barat and helped them organize the Black Student Union. In 1970, Sister Dunn launched Barat’s Oxford Program, which made it possible for Barat students to study at Oxford University in England.

She also taught English and served as an academic dean at Manhattanville College, Purchase, N.Y., from 1958 to 1966. She taught English at the University of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo and at the University of San Diego.

The New York native entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1952.





Sr. Shirley Hellmann

Educator, secretary

Charity Sister Shirley (Shirley Mae) Hellmann, 69, died Jan. 9 at Seton Residence, Evansville, Ind. Sr. Hellmann was born in St. Louis and joined the Daughters of Charity in 1957.

She ministered as a teacher at schools in Louisiana, New York and Illinois. In 1967, she began teaching at Marillac High School, Northfield. From 1975-82, she worked in pastoral care at St. Mary’s Hospital’s in Evansville, Ind.; Milwaukee, Wis.; and Saginaw, Mich.

In 1980, Sr. Hellmann received a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago. In 1982, she began serving as a secretary at St. Vincent DePaul Center in Chicago and remained there until 1993, when she came to Seton Residence because of health problems. She was able to go to St. Patrick’s School in LaSalle, Ill., in 1997 and served as a tutor/aide until 2000, when she returned to Seton Residence.





Sr. Veronica Tamm

Educator

Dominican Sister Veronica (Bernadette Ann) Tamm, 74, died Jan. 18 at the Dominican Life Center, Adrian, Mich. Sr. Tamm was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She earned a Master of Arts Degree in religious education from Mundelein College in Chicago. She spent 28 years ministering in education in Illinois, Michigan, and Arizona. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Edmund, Oak Park, from 1951-60.





Sr. Stephanie Wronski

Educator

BVM Sister Stephanie Wronski, 89, died Jan. 7 at Marian Hall, Dubuque, Iowa. She was born in Chicago and attended Nash Elementary School and St. Mary High School. She entered the BVM congregation on Feb. 2, 1935. She professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1937 and final vows on Aug. 15, 1942.

Sr. Wronski taught at Mary Queen of Heaven in Cicero (1937-38), Holy Cross (1938-53, 1957-58), and St. Tarcissus (1958-93). She also taught in Davenport, Iowa.





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