About Us In Memoriam From the founding of the new Holy Family Province in May 2007 through the present day, we have entrusted the souls of these sisters to new life in the Lord. We remember their contributions to our community and our ministries, and we pray they are enjoying their place at the heavenly banquet. 
 Sr. M. Eleanore Kalisz
March 24, 1914 — December 7, 2007
The fifth of seven children, Victoria Kalisz followed the footsteps of one of her older sisters (Sr. Ildefonse) to Holy Family Academy, Philadelphia, where she joined the congregation. The two sisters were eventually joined by a third Kalisz sibling, Irene, who became Sr. Eymard.
Upon professing her temporary vows, Sr. Eleanore embarked on her 66-year teaching career, with her first assignment at St. Mary’s School in Worcester, MA. Teaching took her to 16 different schools across five states – Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
Always challenging and gentle in her approach, she won a reputation as an excellent teacher. During the course of those 66 years, she also served as Superior of her sisters and principal of her school.
In 1993, at age 79, Sr. Eleanore began her retirement at St. Stanislaus Parish, New Haven, CT, still tutoring students while her health permitted. Eventually, she retired to Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Monroe, CT. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in recent months, Sr. Eleanore continued to radiate joy with her warm smile despite her pain.
On Dec. 7, 2007, death came quietly to Sr. Eleanore after the evening meal. As peacefully as she had lived, so did she die.
 Sr. M. Malvina Pokropski
July 25, 1914 — October 31, 2007
A native of Beaver Falls, PA, Sophia Pokropski entered the Congregation from Holy Family Institute, Pittsburgh, in 1929. As Sr. M. Malvina, she received her R.N. in 1938 from Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing in McKees Rocks, PA. She dedicated herself to laboratory work and nursing at both Ohio Valley and at Mercy Hospital (now Altoona Regional Health System) in Altoona, PA. In the hospital settings, she was considered “deliberate in her work” and was known for her thoughtful mind and gentle hands. She left the hospital in 1972, continuing her nursing services at Holy Family Manor, Pittsburgh. In 2001, she retired to the Manor where she was a gentle recipient of the care she had tendered to others for so many years. A prayerful woman who spent many hours in chapel or in quiet reflection in an outdoor rocker, she also was an avid sports fan, particularly when the Pittsburgh Pirates were playing. One of her great joys was watching her favorite teams on television and reminiscing about her hospital days with her last superior, Sr. Janice Marie Blados, and their fellow sisters. At age 93, in the 79th year of her religious life, Sr. Malvina died as quietly as she had lived.
Sr. M. Aquila Bartosiewicz
March 26, 1917 — October 7, 2007
Sr. Aquila Bartosiewicz, 90, known for her devotion to Mary, Mother of God, died October 7, 2007, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. A native of Worcester, MA, Sr. Aquila left home to attend Nazareth Academy in Torresdale, Philadelphia, and joined the community immediately after graduation. A special woman of talent and dedication, Sr. Aquila was part of the first team of sisters further educated to serve at Nazareth Hospital, where she spent some 50 years nursing in several services ranging from neo-natal intensive care to occupational therapy in the psychiatric unit. Sr. Aquila also served the children of Little Flower House of Providence, Wading River, NY, for one year, and the students at Sacred Heart of Mary School in Baltimore, MD, for two years. Growing up with four brothers, Sr. Aquila had a well-honed sense of humor and was known for her low-key practical jokes. She loved to sing, and one of her favorites was “Heart of Jesus,” where she provided the harmony. This year she celebrated her 70th year in religious life.
 Sr. M. Carolyn Chwalisz
Oct. 25, 1932 — October 1, 2007
A native of Brooklyn, NY, and a graduate of Queens Vocational School, Sr. Carolyn moved to Philadelphia to attend Nazareth Academy High School, where she entered the congregation in 1949. Known as an outstanding elementary schoolteacher, Sr. Carolyn is remembered for advancing the elementary science curriculum in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. She earned her education degree from Holy Family College in Philadelphia, and taught at many Pennsylvania parish schools. Other teaching assignments took Sr. Carolyn to Holy Cross School, Maspeth, NY, and to Holy Family School, Enfield, England. There were also assignments at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, where Sister Carolyn’s finely tuned secretarial skills were welcomed.
Her success in the classroom was countered by health problems for much of her life. But she continued to share her dry sense of humor, good conversation and personal gifts when and where possible. Her handicrafts were known as the perfect gift by both family and friends. In 1999, Sister Carolyn retired to Mount Nazareth. Although quite a determined woman, her battle with cancer finally got the best of her. Sr. Carolyn, baptized Theresa, died on October 1, her baptismal Name Day.
 Sr. M. Ladislas Wozniak
Jan. 12, 1914 — July 13, 2007
A native of Wilkes Barre, PA, Sr. Ladislas Wozniak, 93, taught school for 46 years, “retiring” in 1989 to run the gift shop and organize the sisters’ arts and crafts at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Monroe, CT. Entering the congregation from St. Stanislaus Parish in New Haven, CT, she earned a BS in education from Catholic University in Washington, DC; a certificate in theology, and a certificate in Math & Science for the Disadvantaged in New York. She taught in Philadelphia, PA; Brooklyn, Elmhurst and Riverhead, NY; Norwich, Monroe and Derby, CT, and in Worcester, MA.
 Sr. M. Rosaline Widak
Feb. 14, 1929 — July 10, 2007
Sr. Rosaline Widak, 78, was well known in Chicago for her hospital ministry and in Texas for her work with prisoners. A Chicago native, she was one of 17 women who received Cook County’s 2006 Unsung Heroine Award at ceremonies at the Chicago Cultural Center. Sr. Rosaline entered the community in 1945, teaching school in the Archdiocese of Chicago through 1963, and again in the 1980s and ’90s. Her final teaching assignment was at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Chicago. She then joined the staff of Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Medical Center in Chicago, where she worked as community relations coordinator until her recent illness. From 1963 through the early 1980s, Sr. Rosaline ministered to prisoner and ex-convict populations in Texas, at a Dallas halfway house and at a federal corrections facility in Fort Worth.
 Sr. M. Roberta Turkowski
June 23, 1917 — July 7, 2007
A native of Chicago’s northwest side, Sr. M. Roberta Turkowski had roots in Chicago’s Polish community, growing up in St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Hyacinth parishes. She entered the congregation in 1938 after working for the Baby Ruth Candy Co. in the city. After working in housekeeping and as a kindergarten teacher, Sr. Roberta trained as a nurse’s aide and spent 25 years in that role at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital, Chicago, before transferring to the Provincialate in Des Plaines. She celebrated her 90th birthday June 23 with her nephew and his family at her favorite restaurant, The White Eagle.
Sr. M. Cherubim Rapczynski
Oct. 19, 1910 — June 27, 2007
A native of Poland, Sr. Cherubim and her family moved to the U.S. in 1920, settling in Shenandoah, PA, and St. Casmir Parish. Her teaching career took her to elementary and secondary schools in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. She loved teaching high school students, and spent wonderful years at St. Hubert’s and Archbishop Ryan (1967-1986) high schools in Philadelphia. After moving to Mt. Nazareth in 1987 due to failing health, she logged 1,300 hours of volunteer service at Nazareth Hospital and Outpatient Physical Therapy. She and her brother Joseph, a priest, were particularly close; she also remained close to her sisters and their children. One of her favorite responses to expressions of “I love you” was simply, “Thanks, I love you more.” She was 96.
 Sr. M. Hyacinthe Kaczor
Dec. 18, 1914 — May 27, 2007
As one of the grass roots senior sisters involved in the four-year transition to our new, unified province, Sr. Hyacinthe attended every CSFN assembly on the unification. Her long teaching career took her to Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania schools, as well as to Holy Family Institute, where she was convent superior. She spent her last 23 years at St. Christopher Parish in Detroit, first as a teacher, then principal. After retiring in 1999, she regularly staffed the school concession stands, coordinated the religious education programs and visited the sick. Her “vitality and youthful spirit — including her polka-dancing at parish festivals — will long be remembered and greatly missed,” according to a parish tribute. Sr. Hyacinthe, 92, died on Pentecost Sunday.
 Sr. Lydia Toporek
June 13, 1915 — May 16, 2007
Sr. Lydia Toporek, 91, taught school for 52 years, then started a new career in purchasing at Nazarethville and Holy Family Health Center, both in Des Plaines, IL. She attended DePaul University, DeLourdes College and earned her bachelor’s from Loyola University. Her teaching career took her to Chicago and its suburbs, as well as South Bend, IN; Dallas, TX, and Belfield, ND. During her 15 years at the Health Center, the community was organizing garage sales to raise funds while clearing out the former Provincialate; Sr. Lydia brought friends from the Health Center to the sales. She was an avid correspondent, maintaining several address books and shifting to typed notes when her hands were no longer steady.
 Sr. Clotilde Slomka
June 7, 1919 — May 4, 2007
Sr. Clotilde Slomka, 87, brought fond memories of family trips to Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, Grant Park and the 1933 World’s Fair , as well as her mother’s devotion to prayer with her when she joined the Congregation in 1935. She served 33 years as an educator in primary and secondary schools in South Heart, ND, and Chicago, including Holy Family Academy. For the next 24 years, she was coordinated professional education programs at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital and worked in the Rainbow program for children experiencing loss. Sr. Clotilde was well known for her love of nature and its influence in her water color and oil paintings.
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