U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Sister Kathleen Sagrue, GNSH
Sister Kathleen Sagrue, GNSH, 89, died March 5, 2001, in St. Joseph Infirmary at the Motherhouse of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in Yardley, Pa.
Sister Kathleen was the daughter of the late Timothy and Margaret (McCabe) Sagrue. In 1934 she entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart and made her profession of vows in 1937. She studied at D'Youville College, Buffalo, DePaul University in Chicago, and Villanova University, Villanova, Pa.
For 56 years she ministered in the field of education. She taught kindergarten and third grade at Holy Angels School in Buffalo and served as principal there for six years. She also served in Ogdensburg, Jackson Heights, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Sister Kathleen retired to the Grey Nuns Motherhouse in 1993.
Sister Kathleen is survived by her nieces, Margaret Zuzel of Massachusetts and Lorna Curtis of Florida.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Grey Nuns Motherhouse. Interment was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Sister Veronica Rynne, GNSH
Sister Veronica Rynne, GNSH, 90, died March 4, 2001, in St. Joseph Infirmary, Grey Nuns Motherhouse, Yardley, Pa.
Sister Veronica was born in 1910 in Lowell, Mass., to the late Peter Joseph and Anna T. (Maguire) Rynne. She graduated from Immaculate Conception Elementary School and Immaculate Conception High School, both in Lowell. She also attended Burdett College in Boston, where she graduated in 1931. In 1932 she entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, professing her first vows in 1935 and her final vows in 1938. Sister Veronica also attended D'Youville College in Buffalo, where she received a bachelor's degree.
For 56 years Sister Veronica served as a teacher in Pennsylvania, Ogdensburg, Jackson Heights, Corona, Massachusetts, and Buffalo. Locally she taught first and seventh grade at Holy Angels School in Buffalo.
In 1968 she served in the business and finance office at the Grey Nun Academy. She also served in several other positions within the congregation until her retirement in 1988.
Survivors include a sister, Ann Markham of Massachusetts.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Grey Nuns Motherhouse. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia.
Sister Mary Flavia Kwiatkowski, CSSF
Sister Mary Flavia Kwiatkowski, 91, died on February 24, 2001, in Villa Maria Infirmary, Buffalo.
Sister Mary Flavia was born Leocadia Kwiatkowski to the late Michael and Frances (Szadlowska) Kwiatkowski. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters in 1926 and professed her final vows in 1934. She was a graduate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (now Villa Maria Academy), Buffalo. She attended Mount St. Joseph Teachers College (now Medaille College), Buffalo, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. Sister Mary Flavia also received a master's degree in education from St. Bonaventure University.
For 48 years Sister Mary Flavia ministered in the field of education. She served as an elementary school teacher in the dioceses of Buffalo and Syracuse. Locally she taught and served as principal at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary School, St. Luke School, and St. John Kanty School, all in Buffalo. She also taught religion at St. Patrick School in Salamanca.
Sister Mary Flavia spent nine years serving as a part-time teacher and librarian at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Niagara Falls. She also assisted as a librarian at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Cheektowaga. In 1992 she became a member of St. Francis Residence and assisted in occupational therapy. She became a patient of Villa Maria Infirmary in May of 2000.
Survivors include a sister, Regina Gonska of Olean, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Villa Maria Convent Chapel. Interment was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga.
Sister K. Rita Sheridan, OSF
Sister Rita Sheridan, OSF, 70, died February 18, 2001, in Tampa, Fla.
Sister Rita was born Kathryn Rita Sheridan in Tully in 1930 to the late James A. and Catherine (Connell) Sheridan. She joined the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 1951 and professed her final vows in 1958.
Sister Rita served as a teacher at schools in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Buffalo. Locally, she taught eighth grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help from 1964 to 1966. She also served as librarian in West Islip and earned a master's degree in library science from Rosary College in River Forest, Ill. She served as librarian and vice-principal in Florida and later as a secretary for St. Francis Residence, also in Florida. Sister Rita served in parish ministry from 1988 up until her retirement in 1998.
Survivors include three sisters, Mary Carsello and Barbara Aloi of Cortland, and Christine Sheridan of Schenectady, and one brother, James L. Sheridan of Cortland.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Interment was in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany.
Sister Adeline Ratajczak, FSSJ
Sister Adeline Ratajczak, 94, died February 17, 2001, at Colette Hilbert Health Center, Hamburg.
Sister Adeline was born Martha Marie Ratajczak in Baltimore in 1906, to the late Anthony and Pearl (Sobczak) Ratajczak. She entered the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in 1922. She professed her final vows in 1927. Sister Adeline received a bachelor's degree from Immaculatate College in Pennsylvania and a master's degree from St. Bonaventure University in Olean.
Sister Adeline ministered in the field of education for 39 years. She taught in Massachusetts, Pennsylvannia, and Michingan. She served as both teacher and principal in Maryland, Alabama, and Wisconsin. Locally, she served as teacher and principal at Corpus Christi School in Buffalo. Sister Adeline also served as a council member for the congregation for 14 years.
In 1982 Sister Adeline retired to Immaculate Conception Convent. She later joined the community of the sisters in the health center.
Survivors include a brother, Leonard; a cousin, Sister M. Carmeline Ryan, FSSJ, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Immaclate Conception Convent Chapel in Hamburg. Burial was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Sister Mary Herbert Zimmer, OSF
Sister Mary Herbert Zimmer, 97, died on February 15, 2001, in Olean General Hospital.
In 1903 Sister Mary Herbert was born Irene Angela Zimmer to the late Peter and Elizabeth (Speidel) Zimmer in Buffalo. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 1923. She professed her final vows in 1931.
For 22 years Sister Mary Herbert ministered in the field of education. She taught in Croghan, Buffalo, New York City, Rome, N.Y., and Connecticut. She also served in Rochester, Niagara Falls, and Mt. Vernon, and worked as a school secretary in New Jersey.
She attended St. Bonaventure University where she received both a bachelor's and a master's degree. In 1982 Sister Mary Herbert retired to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany. There she assisted in the office of the local secretary. In 2000, she moved to the Infirmary at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse.
Survivors include several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Interment was in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany.
Father Julian Arent, OFM
Father Julian Henry Arent, 80, died February 12, 2001, in Manitowoc, WI.
Father Julian was born in Buffalo in 1920, to the late Leonard and Julia (Moskal) Arent. He entered the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province of the Franciscan Friars in Pulaski, WI, in 1938. He made his final profession in 1942 and was ordained in 1946.
Father Julian was editor of several Franciscan publications including the “Miesiecznik Franciszkanski,” the “Kalendarz Franciszkanski,” and assistant editor of the “Franciscan Message.”
Father Julian did mission work in the Philippine Islands. He also served in Greenwood, Mass., Burlington, Wis., and further served in the Philippine Islands until poor health forced him to return to the States. He later served in Lodi, N.J., and Mishawaka, Ind. In 1990 he suffered a stroke and was transferred to St. Mary Home in Manitowoc.
Survivors include a brother, Daniel, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Pulaski. Burial was in the Provincial cemetery.
