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Obituaries

Pray For Them

Sr. Mary Jo Martinek

EDUCATOR

Sister Mary Jo Martinek (Anthony Cecile), 86, died April 22 in Adrian, Mich.

A Chicago native, she graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, Mich., and later from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, Mich.

Sister Mary spent 28 years ministering in education in Michigan and Arizona, as well as in Maywood, St. Charles, Chicago, and Riverdale. She was an accountant at Harris Trust & Savings in Chicago from 1971 to 1981.

Sr. Patricia Cullen

EDUCATOR

Sister Patricia Cullen died March 19 in Milwaukee. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis June 13, 1938.

Sister Patricia served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and California. In the archdiocese, she taught at Alvernia High School in Chicago (1961-1969).

Sister Mary Olish

EDUCATOR

Sister Mary (Thaddeus) Olish, 92, died April 30 in Adrian, Mich.

Sister Mary Thaddeus spent 60 years ministering in education in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. In the archdiocese, she taught at St. Nicholas of Tolentine, 1934- 1937, and at St. Carthage, 1942- 46.

She is survived by three brothers: Frank, Richard and James Kelley and a sister, Patricia Herbst.

Sr. M. Justilla Padgorski

PIONEER PRINCIPAL

Felician Sister Mary Jusilla Podgorski, 90, died March 31 in Chicago.

She was the pioneer principal at St. Hubert Parish School in Hoffman Estates where she worked for 12 years. She later served as a tutor at Providence High School in New Lenox, Ill., and was the attendance clerk at Good Counsel High School for 14 years.

She also undertook the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Phone Ministry based at the Felician Sisters’ provincialate.

In the archdiocese, she was principal at St. John of God, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Wenceslaus, St. Turibius, St. Hubert, Sacred Heart and Good Counsel High School.

Sr. Maxine Kruger

TEACHER

Sister Maxine Kruger, 96, died March 30 in Campbellsport, Wis. She joined the School Sisters of St. Francis June 15, 1927.

She ministered in Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin. In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher at St. Clara School in Chicago; 1927-1931, 1933-1942; and St. Joseph School in Wilmette, 1947-1958.

She is survived by a sister, Bernadette Baggett, and a brother, Arby.

Sr. Florence Marie Gerdes

TEACHER

Sister Florence Marie Gerdes of the Sisters of St. Joseph of La- Grange died Feb. 24.

She taught 21 years at Nazareth Academy and 13 years at St. Ignatius High School.

Sr. Mary Burns

EDUCATOR

Sister Mary Burns, (Marie Joachim), 91, died March 14 in Adrian, Mich.

She graduated from St. Benedict High School in Detroit, received a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and a master of education degree from the University of Detroit.

Sister Mary ministered in education in Chicago, Oak Park and Joliet, as well as in Michigan and Florida. She was principal at St. Patrick in Joliet from 1951 to 1957, St. Ailbe in Chicago, 1960-1966 and Dominican High School in Detroit from 1968- 1970.

She was also resident director at Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, 1972-1976.

She is survived by two sisters, Joan Lane and Sister Michaeleen Burns, RSM.