Sister Mary Florence Curlonis, OSF
Born: March 25, 1922
Entered: September 8, 1939
Returned to the Lord: January 6, 2015
Viewing: Thursday, January 8 @ 1PM - 7PM in the Motherhouse Heritage Room
Wake Service: Thursday, January 8 @ 4PM in the Motherhouse Heritage Room
Funeral: Friday, January 9 @ 10:00 AM in Mary Immaculate Chapel
Motherhous/Mary Immaculate Chapel; 3603 McRoberts Road; Pittsburgh, PA 15234
Sister Mary Florence Curlonis, OSF a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 75 years, died at the age of 92 on January 6, 2015. Sister Florence was born in Philadelphia, PA, attending St. George School, where she was taught by our sisters. Upon her high school graduation, she entered the community in 1939. At first, she was a catechetical minister in Maspeth, NY, before beginning a career in elementary education in Pittsburgh, Homestead, Esplen and Bethel Park, PA, as well as assignments in Elizabeth, NJ, New Britain, CT, Cleveland, OH, and E. St. Louis, IL. Sister Florence’s ministries also included 20 years as a librarian, first at nearby St. Gabriel School then at South Side Consolidated High School and St. Francis Academy, prior to assuming the duties as librarian here at the motherhouse. Sister Florence was awarded a Bachelor’s degree at Duquesne University as well as a Library Science certificate at Edinboro University.
Sister M. Monica Belskas, OSF
Born: June 15, 1918
Entered: September 12, 1937
Returned to the Lord: December 18, 2014
Sister M. Monica Belskas, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 77 years, died at the age of 96 on December 18, 2014. Born in Cherry, Illinois to Lithuanian immigrants Karl and Mary Belskas, Sister grew up surrounded by a loving family. After completing her elementary education at St. Anthony School in Illinois, Sister enrolled in St. Francis Academy Prep School in Pittsburgh, where she made her decision to enter the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God in 1937.
Sister spent her early years serving as housekeeper, seamstress and nurse aid where called to minister. In 1963, Sister began her ministry as Executive Housekeeper at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Sister fondly earned the title “The White Tornado” since whatever she undertook was spotless , and she trained her staff likewise. One of her great passions was decorating during the Christmas holidays, and she was well known for the beauty she created during the holiday season at the hospital.
Sister Monica returned to the Motherhouse in 1989, where she supervised the Housekeeping and Laundry Departments for the next 10 years. She is remembered for maintaining a strong relationship with all those under her guidance, always willing to laugh and joke with those she came into contact. Sister Monica began her ministry of prayer in 2005.
Sustained by a deep prayer life, Sister Monica made the following statement when asked about her life as a religious sister: “I must say that being a Sister of St. Francis is a cause dearest to my heart as well as the fact that I am able to pray for others and be of service to them. To anyone interested in religious life I merely say, ‘Come and see.’ The opportunities to be a Franciscan in community, living the gospel life and dedicating all to prayer and the service of the poor and needy are gratifying.”
Sister Mary Georgene Utaris, OSF
Born: February 23, 1915
Entered: July 13, 1931
Returned to the Lord: December 13, 2014
Sister Mary Georgene Utaris, OSF, passed away on December 13, 2014, at the age of 99, in her 83rd year as a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God. The youngest of seven children, Sister Georgene was born and raised in the small coal-mining community of Shenandoah, PA, where she was a member of St. George Parish. After grade school, she enrolled in St. Francis Academy in Pittsburgh, and entered the congregation upon her graduation in 1931.
A graduate of Duquesne University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Sister Georgene’s ministry included 38 years as an elementary teacher in New York, Connecticut, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, with 12 years at St. George School in Philadelphia. She was quite well known for her classroom art, as well as for her many paintings that decorated the motherhouse interior.
After years of teaching, Sister Georgene was invited to become a patient visitor at the congregation’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. This was followed by a period in the motherhouse as an infirmary aide to our older sisters. Later, Sister was active as an assistant in the congregation’s Archives department while still finding time to work as a receptionist. Eventually, time and ill health forced her into the final ministry of her community life, that as a Minister of Prayer. Even then, she continued to employ her artistic skills for several years to produce pieces of art that were sold in the congregation’s gift shop.
Sister Georgene had a special love for the Eucharist and spent many hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. She could be found praying in the chapel during most afternoons.
On the occasion of her 75th anniversary of religious commitment, Sister Georgene chose these three words to describe herself: Happy, having reached a state of joy entering her twilight years; Grateful to God and her community for an enriched life as a woman religious; and Prayerful, as she looked forward to her final days filled with prayer for her religious community and those who ask for prayerful remembrance.
Sister Mary Loretta Keserauskis, OSF
Born: October 28, 1916
Entered: February 2, 1939
Returned to the Lord: December 1, 2014
Sister Mary Loretta Keserauskis, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 75 years, died at the age of 98 on December 1, 2014. Born October 28, 1916 in East St. Louis, IL she was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings. She is survived by nieces and nephews.
Sister Loretta was an educator and principal for over 50 years, serving mostly first and second graders. Her longer assignments included St. Valentine’s in Bethel Park (13 years) and St. Mary’s in Mt. Vernon, IL (8 years). Sister also served in Detroit, MI, Coopersville, MI, Kearny, NJ, Grand Rapids, MI, New Kensington, PA and DuBois, PA. From 1989 to 1999, she served as a driver for the community and transportation coordinator. She was also a staff member for the R-T-R (Reading-Thinking-Reading) Program. In 1999, Sister Loretta re-located to Danbury, CT, where she served as a Pastoral Minister for several years before returning to Pittsburgh. Sister attended Detroit University, Aquinas College, Seton Hall and St. Louis University and earned her B.A. in Education at Duquesne University.
Sister Valerie Ann Grigal, OSF
Born: October 26, 1914
Entered: December 8, 1936
Returned to the Lord: October 9, 2014
Sister Valerie Ann Grigal, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 78 years, returned to Our Lord on October 9, 2014, a mere two weeks short of her 100th birthday. A native of Elizabeth, NJ, and the second of five children, she was taught by our sisters at her home parish, Saints Peter and Paul.
Though her ministry was not always visible to outsiders, Sister Valerie Ann led a full Franciscan life of service to others that took her from St. Anthony’s Parish in Detroit as a housekeeper to Panama City, FL, as a pastoral minister and may points in between. Her life of service to her companion sisters as a dietician and housekeeper, of service to others as a pastoral minister and of service to the Church as a sacristan in our motherhouse chapel is well known.
These many and varied roles took Sister Valerie Ann to St. Anthony Parish (Detroit), St. Joseph College (Hays, KS), St. Joseph Parish (Dubois, PA) Transfiguration Parish (Maspeth, NY), St. Joseph Hospital (Alton, IL), Holy Trinity Parish (Moon Run, PA), St. Dominic Parish (Panama City FL), Mt. St. Peter Parish (New Kensington, PA) and St. Francis Parish (Danbury, CT). She perhaps is best remembered for her ministry at our congregation’s hospital, Good Samaritan, in Mt. Vernon, IL, having served there a total of 26 years, in dietary and in spiritual care.
Even after her 90th birthday, Sister Valerie Ann was active in the motherhouse craft room and gift shop until entering the Ministry of Prayer in 2010.
Sister M. Theodora Shadis, OSF
Born: July 26, 1918
Entered: July 14, 1935
Returned to the Lord: October 9, 2014
Sister M. Theodora Shadis, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 79 years, passed away on October 9, 2014, at the age of 96. Sister Theodora was born and raised in the eastern Pennsylvania community of Mahanoy City, the middle of five children. She spent her early years at St. Joseph Parish School, where she was taught by sisters from our congregation, before moving to Pittsburgh in 1932 to attend St. Francis Academy. Here, she made known her desire to enter the community, in her words, “eagerly awaiting the bonnet of postulancy.” Sister once told how typhoid fever struck her group right after first profession, but that all 21 sisters survived in what she said was considered a miracle by doctors at the time.
Sister Theodora’s first assignment was at St. George Parish in Cleveland, the beginning of a 50-year teaching ministry. Among her many assignments were schools in Amsterdam, NY, Hartford, CT, Grand Rapids, MI, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Here, she and four other of our sisters opened a school for poor Mexican children, an experience she described as ‘enriching.” Sister’s longest tenure was at St. Casimir’s School in Pittsburgh.
Sister Theodora’s exceptional interest in her students is well documented. She not only taught them but was often aware of their personal problems and counseled many by spending time with them, to lend a helping hand or “bend her ear” a bit. Perhaps the greatest testament to her is she continued to stay in touch with, and was beloved by, many former students long after they graduated.
Sister Theodora earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Duquesne University.
From the day of her retirement in active teaching, Sister put her artistic talents to work as coordinator of the community’s craft program, which included managing our gift shop and preparing for the highly anticipated annual craft show.
Sister Theodora’s favorite Scripture passage as, “Behold, I am with you until the end of time.” She joyfully summed up her life as a woman religious, “Every day of my life as a Franciscan sister is a gift I try to share with everyone I meet along the way.”
Sister M. Antonieta Ambrosevicius, OSF
Born: October 3, 1925
Entered: June 13, 1942
Returned to the Lord: June 24, 2014
Sister Mary Antonieta Ambrosevicius, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 72 years, died at our Comunidade Recanto Paz e Bem in São Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at the age of 88.
The youngest of six siblings, Sister Antonieta was born Adele Ambrosevicius in Piepaliu, Kaunas, Lithuania, to parents Juozopa and Francisca. Her family soon immigrated to Vila Zelina, Brazil where, at the age of 17, she became the third Sister to enter our community from Brazil. Sister Antonietta was a dedicated educator who taught at our St. Michael the Archangel School, as well as other schools in Brazil served by our community. Our Sisters remember Sister Antonieta for her generosity and readiness to assist others. Conscientious and dedicated to her work, Sister always maintained a happy disposition. We give thanks to God for Sister’s life, her generous spirit, and her unique way of manifesting the goodness of God.
Sister Marianne Walters, OSF
Born: July 16, 1917
Entered: September 14, 1934
Returned to the Lord: May 26, 2014
Sister Marianne Walters, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 80 years, died at the Motherhouse on Monday, May 26, 2014 at the age of 96. A Pittsburgh native, Sister attended St. Casimir’s elementary school before enrolling in St. Francis Academy in 1931. She entered the congregation in 1934, a year after her sister, Frances Walters. Sister’s first assignment was as an elementary teacher in Grand Rapids, MI. From here, she went to Elizabeth, NJ, as well as Mahanoy City, Homestead and DuBois, PA. In 1950, she was sent to Brazil where she ministered for the next 12 years. Upon her return, she resumed her teaching career at St. Valentine’s in Bethel Park, before becoming principal in Mt. Vernon, IL, Elizabeth, NJ, West Mifflin, Pittsburgh and Moon Run, PA. From 1993 to 1996, she served in Lithuania, followed by five years in Grand Rapids as a tutor. After returning to the motherhouse, Sister served as an assistant in the congregation’s archives department. Sister Marianne earned Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Education from Duquesne University.
Sister Mary Concepta Tuzik, OSF
Born: November 3, 1919
Entered: October 15, 1940
Returned to the Lord: May 12, 2014
Sister Mary Concepta Tuzik, OSF a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 74 years, died at the Motherhouse at the age of 94 on May 12, 2014. Born November 3, 1919, she was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by a niece and nephew as well as grandnieces.
Sister brought boundless energy to more than 70 years of service as a Franciscan sister. A native of East Vandegrift, PA, she attended the local public school before entering St. Francis Academy. A greaduate of Duquesne University, Sister earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
Sister’s tenure as an elementary teacher spanned 45 years and her assignments took her from Rochester, NY to Los Angeles, CA, and points in between. She was known as a creative teacher, loved by the children and their parents alike. There was a brief period of time during this ministry that she returned to the Motherhouse as the Infirmarian and Assistant Coordinator. She also served three years as manager of St. Clare Residence which had been renovated to provide housing for senior women.
Sister willingly shared many other gifts, including the skill of tatting on handkerchiefs and doilies. She was also an excellent cook, with homemade soup one of her specialties. Whenever she wasn’t teaching, tatting or cooking, Sister could be found out in the garden. A wonderful attribute of Sister Concepta was her generosity. This was especially demonstrated through her brother, Walter, who was blind. After their mother’s death, she unselfishly devoted herself to his care. Upon entering the Ministry of Prayer, she was active in the Community Life Program, where with her outgoing personality, she was the most popular person in the program!
Sister M. Marguerite Dovidaitis
Born: May 30, 1919
Entered: July 14, 1935
Returned to the Lord: February 28, 2014
Sister Marguerite Dovidaitis, OSF, served 54 years in the ministry of education, shaping minds, spirits and characters. The much beloved veteran educator passed away on February 28, 2014, in Assisi Hall at the age of 94.
Sister was born Helen Patricia Dovidaitis on May 30, 1919, in Waterbury, CT, the fourth of five children. She attended St. Joseph School there before enrolling in St. Francis Academy in 1932, only six years after its opening. A graduate of Duquesne University, Sister earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education. She also took other post-graduate courses at universities where she was stationed.
Sister' ministry in elementary education began at St. Vincent de Paul School in Esplen, PA. This was followed by assignments in Cleveland, OH, Mahanoy City, PA, Hartford, CT, and Grand Rapids, MI, where she served as principal. In those early years, when resources were limited, she often had several grades in a single classroom. In 1955, Sister “changed gears” and began teaching at Geibel High School in Connellsville, PA, followed by 17 years at her much-loved South Catholic High School in Hartford, CT, teaching Biology and Chemistry, as well as serving as chair of the science department. Indicative of her teaching abilities, she was awarded five National Science Foundation grants during her time as an educator.
After retiring from teaching, she served at the motherhouse as a receptionist until she was 86 years of age, prior to entering the Ministry of Prayer in 2005.