Sr. Clarita Langenfeld

108 years old

School Sister of St. Francis Clarita Langenfeld, 108, died July 15 at Sacred Heart Convent in Milwaukee. Born in 1898, she was one of the few people to have lived in three centuries. Sister Clarita was the oldest member of the School Sisters of St. Francis community. She entered the community in 1923.

Sister Clarita was a long-time teacher and principal at archdiocesan schools. She taught at Our Lady of Victory School (1924-32), was principal at St. Joseph School in Summit (1937-38), St. Benedict School (1957-63), and Our Lady of Victory School (1963-65; 1968-80).

Sister Clarita was a sacristan at Our Lady of Victory Parish (1980-2000). She continued to serve even after reaching 100 years old. Filmmaker Colleen Musker produced a 71-minute biography about Sister Clarita for her 100th birthday.

Fr. Fergus Lickteig

Principal

Carmelite Father Fergus Lickteig, 78, died July 8 in Kansas. Born and raised in Kansas, he entered the Carmelite order in 1944 and was ordained a priest in Kansas City, Kan., in 1955.

He received a master’s degree in education from the University of Chicago. In Illinois, he taught at Joliet Catholic High School in Joliet and was the principal at Carmel High School in Mundelein.

Sr. M. Maristella Skrzynski

served in many ministries

Franciscan Sister M. Maristella Skrzynski, 89, died July 12. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in 1931.

During her postulancy, she worked with the children at Guardian Angel Day Care Center in Chicago. She also taught at St. Pancratius School, Five Holy Martyrs School and St. Florian School. She taught English and health at Madonna High School, where she also served as a counselor and library supervisor and ran the attendance and records office.

She served the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago as a local secretary, assistant superior, local superior and the director of postulants.

Sr. Joanna Platte

principal, superior

Sister of Christian Charity Joanna Platte, 96, died July 5 at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette. She entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1928.

She served as a teacher, principal and superior. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Gregory School (1943-44), St. Mary School (1971-75) and St. Teresa School (1976-77). In addition, she taught and was principal at Notre Dame School in Clarendon Hills (1964-67)

Retired from the classroom in 1982, Sister Joanna taught English as a Second Language at Mallinckrodt College. In 1988 she was sent to Josephinum High School as a tutor. In 1993, she transferred to Sacred Heart Convent.

Sr. Mary Monica Widelski

Educator

Resurrection Sister Mary Monica Widelski, 90, died June 18.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1937. She taught at Resurrection Academy, Resurrection High School, St. Thecla, St. Mary of the Angels and Queen of the Rosary in Elk Grove. She also served as the principal at Resurrection High School and Queen of the Rosary School.

Fr. Paul Clifford

Jesuit was Chicago native

Jesuit Father Paul J. Clifford died June 16 in Michigan. A native of Chicago, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Ohio in 1943. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1948 and a master’s degree in 1953 from Loyola University Chicago. He was ordained in 1956.

From 1958-75 he served at Loyola Academy in Wilmette where he taught Latin and religion, chaired the religious affairs board, and from 1970-75 served as rector of the Jesuit Community. In 1975, he was appointed tertian instructor for the Chicago Province.

Father Clifford became chaplain at Loyola University’s Water Tower Campus in 1982 and also served as the superior of the University’s Jesuit community until 1989, when he was appointed acting pastor of Holy Family Parish in Chicago.

Father Clifford returned to Loyola Academy in 1996 where he served for a year as associate chaplain for faculty and staff. From 1997-2000 he was the associate pastor at St. Ignatius Parish.

Fr. Theodore McNulty

boxer, marine, Pastor

Father Theodore McNulty, 79, associate pastor at St. Thomas More, died Aug. 12 at the parish rectory.

A Chicago native, Father McNulty grew up in the Englewood neighborhood and boxed with the Chicago Youth Association. He attended Leo High School where he was a star football player. Notre Dame offered him a scholarship to play football; instead he joined the Marine Corps.

After the war, he worked as a plasterer in Chicago before entering the priesthood. He was ordained in St. Louis in 1966 at the age of 38. He served at parishes in Texas and Joliet and Rockford, Ill. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served at St. Bernadette in Evergreen Park, before he was assigned to St. Thomas More in 1984.

Sr. Agatha Marshalek

Principal

School Sister of Notre Dame Agatha Marshalek, 92, died June 13 at Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Blue Island, she entered the congregation in 1930 from St. Benedict Parish. She served as a principal and teacher at schools in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as principal at St. Stanislaus Kostka, a junior high teacher at St. Benedict and at Mother of Sorrows, both in Blue Island.