10 minute read
Obits
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Mary Ellen Doyle, SCN, 87, formerly Sister Mary Benedict, a native of Oak Park, Illinois, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 24, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 67 years.
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Sister Mary Ellen served as a teacher for 45 years. She taught at grade schools in Kentucky, including St. Agnes and St. Cecilia in Louisville, St. Mary Academy in Paducah, and Cathedral School in Owensboro. Sister Mary Ellen taught at Our Lady of Nazareth, Wakefield, Massachusetts. She also taught at Nazareth College in Nazareth; Spalding College in Louisville; Christian Brothers College, Memphis, Tennessee, Huston-Tillotson College, Austin, Texas; and Divine Word Seminary, Epworth, Iowa. She specialized in African-American literature and English. Sister Mary Ellen also taught SCN novices in India, and served as campus minister at Aquinas College in Newton, Massachusetts. In 1989, she began her term as SCN associate regional for the Southern Region. Sister Mary Ellen published three books.
Sister Mary Ellen is survived by her brother, Joseph Patrick Doyle, her family, and by her religious community.
Emily Nabholz, SCN, 91, formerly Sister Bernard Maria, a native of Conway, Arkansas, died at Flaget Hospital, Bardstown, Kentucky, Oct. 8, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 69 years.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Nazareth College (now Spalding University), a master’s in psychiatric nursing from Catholic University of America, and a doctorate in public health from UCLA.
In Louisville, Kentucky, she served at St. Joseph Infirmary from 1950 to 1956, and as director of nursing at Our Lady of Peace from 1958-1968. After earning her doctorate in public health, Sister Emily was appointed director of health to collaborate with SCNs missioned in hospitals. At Weber Retreat Center in Adrian, Michigan, she offered retreats and spiritual direction.
In 1985, Sister Emily became Southern Provincial. In 1988, she was elected president of the SCN Congregation. From 1994 until her death, she was a spiritual director.
Sister Emily is survived by two brothers, Charles and Tom, and by many nieces and nephews, and by her religious community.
Mary Stephen Breznay, SCN, 87, a native of Munhall, Pennsylvania, died at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oct. 9, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 70 years.
Sister Mary Stephen received her Bachelor of Education degree from Duquesne University and served as an elementary teacher for 40 years in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Youngstown, Ohio, Mobile, Alabama, and Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
After her long career in education, she continued to serve through her ministry to the infirmed Sisters, Vincentian Childcare Center, and as the manager of the convent gift shop.
Sister Mary Stephen was most proud of her “Sister of the Year Award” presented to her by the Knights of Columbus. It recognized her deep commitment to teaching.
Sister Mary Stephen is survived by nieces and nephews, and by her religious community.
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Maurice Wayda, SCN, 94, died at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 77 years.
Sister Maurice served in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Phoenix, Arizona, Alabama, and Youngtown, Ohio.
Sister Maurice earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Duquesne University and an M.A. in communications from Notre Dame University. She spent 32 years in education teaching on both the elementary and secondary levels.
For 27 years, Sister Maurice was the purchasing agent for the community. Sister Maurice also used her artistic and communication skills as a community printer. She began this work in 1980 and created beautiful cards, calendars, community documents, and programs.
Sister Maurice is survived by nieces and nephews, and by her religious community.
Rose Eleanor Perry, SCN, 86, formerly Rosalie Perry, a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 27, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 65 years.
In Kentucky, Sister Rose Eleanor served as a teacher beginning in 1954 at St. Stephen School in Owensboro, at St. James in Ludlow, and St. Francis de Sales in Paducah. She also taught at St. Elizabeth in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where she also served as principal. From 1973-1977, Sister Rose Eleanor taught religious education at St. Mildred Parish in Somerset, Kentucky.
For more than 20 years, she served in pastoral ministry and as chaplain at Our Lady of Peace in Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning in 2003, Sister Rose Eleanor lived at Nazareth where she volunteered in hospitality services, and as an organist and choir assistant.
She is survived by her sisters, Rita Wallace and Sarah Haden, her extended family, and by her religious community.
Beatrice (Bea) Ann Keller, SCN, 79, a native of Detroit, Michigan, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 31, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 25 years.
Before entering community, she married her high school sweetheart after graduation and raised seven children.
In 1994, Sister Bea made first vows as a Sister of Charity of Nazareth and began her health care ministry after earning a nursing degree and master’s degree. As a nurse, she served at Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital and later at Nazareth Home in Louisville. Sister Bea earned her doctorate in education from Spalding University and served as an instructor in the nursing program. From 2003-2009, she served as a family and community educator. In 2009, Sister Bea served others as a volunteer and driver.
Sister Bea is preceded in death by her sons Anthony Keller and Karl Keller. She is survived by her brother, Michael B. Eyl; her children, Renee C. Keller, Lynn M. Bergen, Monica A. Reeve, Al M. Keller, and Robin M. Binkowski, her 11 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren, and by her religious community.
Jean Vessels, SCN, 94, formerly Sister Jane Louise, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Oct. 31, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 74 years. In Kentucky, Sister Jean served in educational ministries, teaching in several grade schools including St. Gregory in Samuels, St. Monica in Bardstown, and Good Shepherd School in Frankfort. She also taught at St. Andrew in Roanoke, Virginia, and served as a substitute teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools. In 1963, Sister Jean earned a degree in math from Spalding University in Louisville. She taught math at several high schools including Owensboro Catholic High School in Owensboro, Kentucky; Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, Massachusetts; and years later at Providence High School in Clarksville, Indiana (from 1982-1993). From 1968-1973, Sister Jean served as assistant principal at St. Mary High School in Paducah. She served as principal at Presentation Academy in Louisville from 1973-1979. Sister Jean also served as an instructor at Weikel Real Estate School. Sister Jean is survived by her extended family and by her religious community.
Janice Campbell, SCN, 84, formerly Sister Timothy Joseph, a native of Roanoke, Virginia, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 13, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 60 years. Sister Janice’s first ministries were in education. She taught both primary and intermediate grades. She served as an educator in Kentucky at St. Joseph, Bardstown, St. Mary Cathedral, Covington and St. Catherine of Siena, Fort Thomas; also at Catherine Spalding School, Helen, Maryland. Later, Sister Janice studied health care administration at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and began her work in health care ministries. For more than 20 years, she served in a variety of administrative positions within the St. Vincent Health System in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was president of Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, Louisville, where she served for five years. Sister Janice also served as the director of social services for Catholic hospitals within the diocese of Little Rock. Sister Janice is survived by her brothers, David Francis Campbell and Michael Bernard Campbell, by her extended family, including many nieces and nephews, and by her religious community.
Betty Fracchia, SCN, 78, formerly Sister Joseph Paul, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, died in Memphis, Nov. 17, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 57 years. Sister Betty’s first ministries were in elementary education. She taught at St. Anne School in Readville, Massachusetts; St. Rita School in Alexandria, Louisiana; and St. Elizabeth School in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where she also served as principal. Sister Betty later served in parish and pastoral ministry at St. John Parish in Oxford, Mississippi. In 1997, Sister Betty served at St. Peter Home for Children in a variety of positions, including as an educational coordinator, in social services, and as director. Sister Betty is survived by her extended family and by her religious community.
Maureen Coughlin, SCN, 92, formerly Sister Maureen Francis, a native of Brockton, Massachusetts, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. 27, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 69 years. Sister Maureen served as a music teacher at Most Blessed Sacrament in Louisville; at St. Vincent de Paul in Mt. Vernon, Ohio; at Little Flower in Memphis, Tennessee; and at LaSalette Academy in Covington, Kentucky. She taught eighth grade at St. Agatha in Columbus, Ohio, and St. Agnes in Louisville, where she also served as assistant principal and principal. From 1979-1988, Sister Maureen was principal at Presentation Academy in Louisville. Sister Maureen served in the Education Department at Spalding University as Director of Student Teaching from 1990- 2007. She is survived by her brother, William Francis Coughlin, her extended family, and by her religious community.
Mary Regina Atkins, SCN, 86, formerly Sister Mary Mark, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Dec. 30, 2019. She was a professed Sister for 65 years. Sister Regina served in educational ministries, teaching primary grades at St. Joseph in Bardstown, Kentucky; St. Mary Academy in Paducah, Kentucky; St. Cecilia and St. Martha in Louisville; St. Matthias in Columbus, Ohio; and St. Mary in Paris, Kentucky. She also served in social services with Catholic Charities Refugee Services and in health care at Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital. Sister Regina served her SCN Community in the Office of Mission Advancement and in Community Service. She is survived by her sister Catherine Dolores Bohn, her extended family, and by her religious community.
Helen Chervanek, SCN, 89, a native of Homestead, Pennsylvania, died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jan. 1, 2020. She was a professed Sister for 69 years. She received her Bachelor and Master in Education degrees from Duquesne University and served the Church as a kindergarten and elementary teacher for 54 years in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Sister taught 37 of those 54 years at Saint Sebastian School in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Twice during her teaching career, she was honored with receiving the prestigious Golden Apple Award and Manifesting the Kingdom Award from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Sister Helen had a special love for her kindergarten classes. She was often seen cheering for the school team at sporting events and volunteered on many occasions with parish activities. After retiring, Sister Helen remained active as a driver for her convent community, driving Sisters to appointments and wherever they needed to go. Sister Helen is survived by her sisters, Margaret and Christine; her brother, Dr. John; nieces, nephews, cousins; and by her religious community.
Helen Glidden, SCN, 95, formerly Sister Mary Thomasine, a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, on Jan. 8, 2020. She was a professed Sister for 73 years. Sister Helen served in educational ministries as a teacher from 1947-1979 in Lexington, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; Newburyport, Massachusetts; Readville, Massachusetts; Milton, Massachusetts; Hyde Park, Massachusetts; Hollywood, Maryland; and Leonardtown, Maryland. She served as a college instructor in Puerto Rico from 1979- 1982 at Colegio Lourdes. Sister Helen also engaged in ministries in Brockton, Massachusetts; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Boca Raton, Florida. She served in pastoral care in Brockton, at Cardinal Cushing Hospital and Good Samaritan Medical Center. She also served as a chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington from 1995-2003. She is survived by her sisters, Margaret Murano and Rita Legere, her extended family, and by her religious community.
Sisters prayerfully remember the following former students of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth: Margaret “Peggy” Williams, Nazareth College, 1971
Marion Seng Kelty, Nazareth College, 1942
Mary Elizabeth Fowler Mitchell, Sts. Mary & Elizabeth, 1957
Barbara Ann Burkart, LaSalette Academy, 1955
Martha Dober McCarthy, Nazareth Academy, Nazareth, 1943
Honorary and Memorial Donations With gratitude, gifts are acknowledged that support ministries of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in memory or in honor of others. To view a listing visit: scnfamily.org/hons
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