teacher

Benedictine Sister of Chicago Maurus Becker, 99, died May 20 at St. Scholastica Monastery. She was a member of the Benedictine community for 84 years, and was the eldest member of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago.

A Chicago native, she entered St. Scholastica Monastery in 1920 at age 15. She made her perpetual profession of vows in 1926.

She served as a teacher, working primarily with children in elementary grades, and served as principal and local superior in several parishes.

Her assignments in the Archdiocese of Chicago included St. Hilary, St. George, St. John Nepomucene, St. Joseph (Orleans St.), St. Symphorosa, and Mother of God (Waukegan).

In addition to her school responsibilities, she often served as baker and cook for the community.

She is survived by a sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Fr. Francis Grzechowiak

Pastor, translator

Resurrectionist Father Francis Grzechowiak, 83, died April 29 at Nazareth-ville, Des Plaines. A Chicago native, he graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary elementary school and Archbishop Weber High School, both in Chicago.

He professed his religious vows at St. Joseph novitiate, Chicago, in 1938. He was ordained a priest in 1961.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served as pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish, 1971-77; associate pastor, St. Stanislaus Kostka, 1977-78; and associate pastor and translator of writings of early Congregation of the Resurrection fathers at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr, 1988 until his death.

He served in Rome as secretary general of the congregation from 1981-87, and provincial councillor of the USA Province for three different terms.

Br. Daniel Gridley

Hospital chaplain

Augustinian Brother Daniel Gridley, 66, died at Christ Hospital, Oak Lawn. He was being treated for heart problems.

An Evergreen Park native, he attended St. Joseph Grade School, Homewood; Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago; and St. Edward High School, Elgin. He entered the Augustinian Brothers in 1956. He professed temporary vows in 1960, and permanent vows in 1963.

Brother Dan had three distinct careers. He first worked in maintenance and housekeeping, then in food service, and then as a hospital chaplain.

In the Chicago area, he served in maintenance at Mendel Monastery from 1962-65. He joined the cafeteria staff at St. Rita High School in 1966.

He was named manager of the cafeteria in 1968. He became manager of the cafeteria at Mendel Catholic High School in 1981. In 1983, he was named district manager, overseeing the food service operations of several Chicago-area Catholic schools.

After leaving food service work in 1984, he entered the clinical pastoral education program. He became chaplain at Palos Community Hospital, Palos Heights, where he continued to serve until his final illness.

He is survived by three sisters, a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Sr. Fabia Commerford

Housekeeper

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Fabia Esperance Commerford died March 25 at age 78. Born in Murdock, Minn., she entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1942, made her first religious profession in 1946, and her final profession in 1949. She served as a housekeeper for 48 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Jarlath Convent, 1956-61; St. Philip Benizi Convent, 1961-64; St. Brendan Convent, 1965-66; Immaculate Conception Convent, 1968-70, all in Chicago; and Trinity Convent in River Forest, 1977-81.

Sr. Caritas Archer

Teacher

Sister of Christian Charity Caritas Archer died April 5 at age 85 at St. Francis Hospital, Evanston. Born in New Orleans, she entered the community in 1938 and made her first vows in 1941.

She served as a teacher. In Chicago, she taught at St. Raphael School from 1941-46, and St. Teresa School, from 1959-61. From 1985-91, she taught courses in education and English at Mallinckrodt College, Wilmette.

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