The last of seven children born to James and Catherine Gilbride, Sister Anna Margaret was a native Clevelander. The Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart graduate joined the Ursulines from St. Catharine Parish in 1945, following in the footsteps of her sister Catharine (formerly Sister Margaret Mary) who entered in 1942. As Sister James Francis she professed final vows in 1950. She earned her undergraduate degree from the old St. John College, a master’s from the University of Notre Dame, and a doctorate in Educational Administration from Kent State University.

 She began her ministry career as a primary teacher, serving at Holy Cross, St. Paul, and St. Robert Bellarmine schools in Euclid, and St. Jerome and St. Catharine schools in Cleveland. She worked with sisters in formation for 11 years, first as assistant novice director, then as director, before being assigned to Ursuline College in 1971. Her 40-year tenure there included stints as teacher, administrator, and assistant to the president. Even when elected to a four-year term in congregational leadership, she maintained her position as the college’s Vice President of Student Affairs.

 In June Sister Anna Margaret completed a 16-year-project, writing the history of the college. The volume will be published once photo selections are finalized, a fitting tribute both to the author and to the institution she loved.

 Sister Anna Margaret likely inspired many vocations. And those who experienced her kindness in the formation program suggest that she saved even more. Ever the gentle and light-hearted mentor, Sister Anna Margaret cheered and consoled many a struggling novice. She also helped foster a deeper interest in and study of Ursuline founder Saint Angela Merici and her charism.

 Sister Anna Margaret will be remembered for her gentle and gracious spirit, her ready laughter, and her love of the community. She was a faith-filled woman, a committed religious, a dedicated educator and colleague, a loving aunt and loyal friend.

 Sister Anna Margaret is survived by nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Sister Anna Margaret
Wake: 3:00 - 6:45PM, Thursday, January 19, 2012
Ursuline Motherhouse, 2600 Lander Road, Pepper Pike

Funeral Mass: 7:00 PM Thursday, January 19, 2012
Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity (Motherhouse)

Burial Service: 9:30 AM Friday, January 20, 2012
Saint Angela Center Chapel
Interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon

Donations in her name may be made to the Ursuline Sisters. To Make a secure donation on line CLICK HERE.

 

 

 Sister Mary Antoine

  

Beloved Teacher and Minister of Prayer

Sister Mary Antoine was a high school math and science teacher for 31 years, before returning to the motherhouse to oversee the community’s sewing operation, a ministry which afforded her time and space for the contemplative prayer she loved. The beloved educator and minister of prayer died November 27 in the Ursuline Saint Angela Center where she had resided since 2006. She was 84.

The former Mildred Brozovic was born January 23, 1927, in Canton, Ohio, to George and Margaret Brozovic. A graduate of Mount Marie High School in Canton, she joined the Ursulines from St. Joseph Parish, Canton, September 8, 1947, and professed final vows August 23, 1953. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College and a master’s from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Sister Mary Antoine taught two years at the elementary level — at St. Joseph School, Collinwood, and Our Lady of Peace, Cleveland — before beginning her high school tenure which included assignments at Villa Angela Academy, Ursuline-Sacred Heart Academy and Beaumont School. In 1981 she retired from classroom teaching and moved to the motherhouse to assume responsibility for the sewing operations, a ministry in which she served 25 years. Through the years she also tutored students needing assistance in math.

Contemplative by nature, Sister Mary Antoine enjoyed a solitary life, but happily joined with SAC sisters for prayer and other spiritual programs. She welcomed visitors, especially family and Saint Angela Center sisters and staff. She was a faithful and reliable source of prayer support for any and all in need. And she was an avid crafter, crocheting baby items and afghans by request, for charity, and for sale in the community gift shop.

Sister Mary Antoine will be remembered for her gentle and prayerful spirit and her quiet, contemplative way. She was a faith-filled woman, a dedicated teacher and minister of prayer/service, a loving sister and a loyal friend.

Sister Mary Antoine is survived by brothers Robert and Joseph Brozovic, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donations in her name may be made to the Ministry Fund of the Ursuline Sisters.

 

Sister Mary Claire Walton (formerly Sister Mercedes) taught at the elementary and secondary levels for 44 years before transitioning into ministry to the elderly at St. Jerome Parish. She continued her giving ways as a resident of the Saint Angela Center, visiting and praying with infirm sisters, writing to death row inmates, and even assisting a staff member in preparing for her citizenship test. The beloved teacher and kind-hearted minister died October 5 in the Saint Angela Center where she had resided since 2007. She was 91.

The former Henrietta Walton was born in Cleveland on February 23, 1920, to George and Henrietta Walton. A graduate of Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart in East Cleveland, she joined the Ursulines from St. Ann Parish February 11, 1940, and professed final vows August 25, 1945. She earned her undergraduate degree at Ursuline College and a master’s from John Carroll University.

As Sister Mercedes she began her teaching career at the elementary level at the old Holy Trinity School and then spent 10 years at St. Ann School, Cleveland Heights. She served 33 years at the secondary level, alternating tenures at Sacred Heart Academy, Beaumont School, and Villa Angela Academy where she served 22 years. Her last formal ministry was to the elderly of St. Jerome Parish, which spanned 18 years.

In 2000, at the age of 80, Sister Mary Claire joined a group of Cleveland Ursulines in traveling to El Salvador to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Sister Dorothy Kazel.

Despite advancing years and health concerns Sister Mary Claire remained active in community life almost to the end. She was a long time member of the Marie of the Incarnation study group and of the Ursuline Associate program. Wherever people gathered, Sister Mary Claire gathered with them, always extending warmth and welcome and hospitality. She celebrated her 70th jubilee in April 2010.

Sister Mary Claire will be remembered for her gentle and joyful spirit, her eagerness to serve, and her love of walking. She was a faith-filled woman, a committed religious, a dedicated teacher and minister, a loving sister and loyal friend.

Sister Mary Claire is survived by nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law.

Donations in her name may be made to the Ministry Fund of the Ursuline Sisters.

Sister M. Angelita, OSU
President, Ursuline Sisters
2004 – 2011

Sister M. Angelita Zawada ministered in elementary education as a teacher and principal for 31 years before being elected to leadership in the Ursuline congregation in 1996. After eight years as a General Councilor, she was elected President in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 to a second term extending to June 2012. Sister Angelita, a decisive and compassionate leader, was unable to complete her term. She died September 15 in the Ursulines’ Saint Angela Center from complications of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosed in June. She was 68.

Linda Zawada was born February 6, 1943, the oldest of three and the only daughter of Walter and Anne Zawada. The St. Joseph Academy graduate entered the Ursuline congregation from Saint Francis de Sales Parish, Parma, September 8, 1960, and was given the religious name Angelita or “little Angela,” a name she bore proudly as a daughter of her patron Saint Angela Merici, founder of the Ursulines. Sister Angelita professed final vows in August 1968. She celebrated 50 years as an Ursuline this past August.

Sister Angelita earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in education and administration from St. John College. She engaged in further study at the University of Dayton, Baldwin Wallace, and Ursuline College.

Her ministry career included teaching tenures at St. Paul School (Euclid) and St. Mary Magdalene School (Willowick). She served as principal at Our Lady of Peace (Cleveland), St. Therese (Garfield Heights), and St. Charles Borromeo (Parma) schools. Throughout the years she lent her time and expertise in board service at Padua Franciscan High School and at Benedictine High School. As President of the congregation she also served on the boards of Ursuline College, Beaumont School and Urban Community School, all Ursuline-sponsored institutions.

During her tenure in leadership Sister Angelita founded the Ursuline Institute of Learning, a tutoring ministry centered at the Ursuline Educational Center with multiple satellite sites. In 2009, under her leadership, the congregation embarked on an integrative planning process to direct the Ursulines into the future.

Sister Angelita is survived by her brothers Gerald (wife, Geri) and Charles, nieces, nephews-in-law and grand nieces and nephews.

Sister Angelita will be remembered for her love of community, her kindness and exuberance, and her never-wavering hope and optimism. She was a faith-filled woman, a tireless and committed leader, a dedicated educator, and a beloved sister, friend and family member.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Ministry Fund of the Ursuline Sisters.

  Sister Francis Regis Mueller,
  Life-long Educator and Friend

  
Sister Francis Regis spent her entire ministry career as a teacher in elementary schools throughout the diocese, and in retirement continued to tutor in the Ursuline Institute of Learning. In a recent interview for the Ursulines’ Annual Report, she noted that if it had been up to her, she would still be in the classroom. The 92-year-old educator died January 2 in the Ursuline Saint Angela Center where she had lived since September 2009.

The former Marie Mueller was born August 8, 1918 in Cleveland to John and Francis Mueller. She joined the Ursulines from the old St. Mary Parish (Carroll Ave.) in February 1939 and professed final vows in 1944. The Villa Angela Academy graduate earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the old St. John College.

Sister Francis Regis’ teaching career included tenures at Immaculate Conception (Cleveland), St. Jerome, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Patrick (Bridge Ave.), St. Malachi, Our Lady of Peace, St. Clare, Holy Cross, St. Joseph (Avon Lake) and St. Mary (Collinwood) schools. Her final assignment before retiring at the motherhouse was St. Paul School in Euclid, where she served 23 years teaching and tutoring. Upon moving to the motherhouse she joined the tutoring corps in the Institute of Learning. She also assisted the Development Office with acknowledgement phone calls.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Rev. John Mueller, S.M., and a sister, Jane Herman.

Sister Francis Regis will be remembered for her zest for living, her youthful spirit and her ready laugh. She was an outstanding and dedicated educator, a loyal friend, and a loving aunt and cousin.  Funeral services for Sister Francis Regis were held at the Ursuline Motherhouse on January 6.

Donations in her name can be made to the Ursuline Ministry Fund.

  Sister Jeanne Marie Dubbs,
  beloved educator, eldest Ursuline

Generations of students developed their musical talents under the expert tutelage of Sister Jeanne Marie Dubbs at the elementary, secondary and college levels. Throughout the years,   many of those students stayed in touch with their mentor, frequently recalling cherished memories and offering thanks for her guidance and inspiration. The much beloved music educator and oldest community member died November 9 in the Saint Angela Center, with two nieces and Ursuline sisters at her side. Sister Jeanne Marie was 97.

Sister Jeanne Marie was one of six children born to James and Lucy Dubbs. She grew up in East Cleveland, attended Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart, entered the Ursuline community from St. Philomena Parish in 1932, and professed final vows in 1938. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College and a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.

She began her education career at St. Therese School in Garfield Heights as a primary and intermediate classroom teacher before turning her concentration to music education. Her 48 years in that field included tenures at St. Charles School, Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart, Beaumont School, and Ursuline College. Beyond the classroom, Sister Jeanne Marie continued offering music lessons at the motherhouse, St. Aloysius School and Beaumont for 10 years.

In 1985 Sister Jeanne Marie launched a second career as a pastoral minister, serving two years at the Cleveland Clinic and eight years at Hillcrest Hospital. She then utilized her pastoral skills on behalf of her own sisters, serving with the late Sister Kenan first in the old infirmary, then for a time in the Saint Angela Center. She also assisted with the Ursuline prayer line. She moved to the Saint Angela Center in 1999.

Sister Jeanne Marie will be remembered for her gentle and joyful spirit, her love of music and rousing rendition of the Notre Dame Fight Song which she continued to perform until a few months ago. She was a faith-filled and compassionate woman, a committed religious, accomplished musician, and loyal friend.

Sister Jeanne Marie is survived by nieces and nephews.

Donations in her name may be made to the Ministry Fund of the Ursuline Sisters.