Advertisements ad

Obituaries

Pray For Them

Barbara Spaniol-Smith

PRINCIPAL, TEACHER

Barbara Spaniol-Smith, 62, founding principal at Old St. Mary’s School, died in her sleep on Nov. 14.

She taught kindergarten at St. Jane de Chantal School in Chicago for more than 20 years, and her first year at the school was the first year that her future husband, Robert Smith, served as the school’s principal.

They were married in 1981 at St. Jane de Chantal, where she served as the parish’s director of religious education for at least 15 years before her death.

Mrs. Spaniol-Smith — Miss Barbara to her students — was assistant principal at St. Bede the Venerable School for five years and the first principal of Old St. Mary’s School, which opened four years ago with 18 preschoolers. The school, which adds a grade each year, will eventually serve preschool through eighth grade.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Paul, Chris and Danny; three sisters, Bernie Pindell, Mary Ann Rench and Sandy Wykof; and a brother, Tony Spaniol.

Sr. Helen Marie Chelminiak

TEACHER, HEALTH CARE WORKER

Resurrection Sister Helen Marie Chelminiak, 84, died Oct. 5. She was born in South Bend, Ind., and was received into the congregation in 1942.

She taught at St. Casimir (1945- 1947, 1950) and Resurrection Academy (1948-1950). She also served for 50 years in health care, working at Resurrection Medical Center and Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and St. Benedict’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Brother John Johnston

SUPERIOR GENERAL, EDUCATOR

Brother John Johnston, 73, formerly the Superior General of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, died Oct. 11 in Memphis, Tenn.

A Christian Brother for 56 years, he became provincial of the St. Louis Province of Christian Brothers in 1971 and was elected vicar general of the institute in 1976.

In 1986 he was elected superior general, serving two terms.

As a teacher, he served at De La Salle Institute, Chicago; and at the brothers’ formation centers. He also taught and was principal at Costa High School, Galesburg, Ill.

He returned to Memphis in 2003, working as Senior Consultant of the Lasallian Association for Mission. He conducted retreats and presented at conferences in the U.S., Haiti, Africa and in Europe.

Surviving him are brothers Ed, M. Joseph and Rev. Michael Johnston.

Mary Young-Perry

BISHOP’S MOTHER

Mrs. Mary Young-Perry, mother of Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry of Chicago and Vicar of Vicariate VI, died Nov. 10. She was 80 years old.

She was diagnosed with endstage pancreatic cancer in August. Bishop Perry celebrated a funeral Mass Nov. 16 at St. Philip Neri Church.

She is survived by daughters Teacora Shah and Olga Penney and sons George and Peter in addition to Bishop Perry.

Sr. Kathleen Swain

EDUCATOR, SOCIAL WORKER

School Sister of St. Francis Kathleen Swain (Stanita) died Oct.24 at St. Joseph Convent in Campb e l l s p o r t , Wis. She was 88.

Sister Kathleen ministered as a teacher, principal, administrator and social worker in Wisconsin, Illinois and New York.

In the archdiocese, she taught at St. Matthias School (1948-1956); St. Joseph School, Waukegan (1963) and St. Joseph School, Summit (1963-1967).

She is survived by brothers Quentin, Charles, Jan and Paul, and a sister, Clare Cvitash.